Impact Funding Resources
Each year in June five winner startups are selected by W.A. de Vigier Foundation’s expert jury members for the endowment of CHF 100,000 for each winner About W.A. de Vigier Foundation Since the foundation’s establishment in 1987, the goal of the W.A. de Vigier Foundation has been to actively invigorate business development and further provide direct financial support (à fonds perdu) to young people with innovative business ideas wishing to build performance and growth oriented businesses in Switzerland About the award • You get national and international visibility and credibility. We livestream our big events and investors view our shortlist as a good pre-selection of startups they want to take a closer look at. • Enjoy access to our sterling network of coaches, entrepreneurs, alumni and investors. We care about your startup and want to open doors. • The prize money comes with no strings attached. It’s yours to spend, we hope you achieve great things with it! • We’ve been around since 1987 and have awarded about 150 winners with a total of CHF 14.9 million in prize money. Our board and jury consist of highly accomplished people with lots of experience and genuine passion for this foundation’s cause: to support young entrepreneurs.
End Date06 Jan 2025 Funding AmountCHF 100k Funding Resource TypeInnovation Award
Funding ProviderW.A. de Vigier Foundation
Innovation Award
W.A. de Vigier Foundation
About W.A. de Vigier Foundation
Since the foundation’s establishment in 1987, the goal of the W.A. de Vigier Foundation has been to actively invigorate business development and further provide direct financial support (à fonds perdu) to young people with innovative business ideas wishing to build performance and growth oriented businesses in Switzerland
About the award
• You get national and international visibility and credibility. We livestream our big events and investors view our shortlist as a good pre-selection of startups they want to take a closer look at.
• Enjoy access to our sterling network of coaches, entrepreneurs, alumni and investors. We care about your startup and want to open doors.
• The prize money comes with no strings attached. It’s yours to spend, we hope you achieve great things with it!
• We’ve been around since 1987 and have awarded about 150 winners with a total of CHF 14.9 million in prize money. Our board and jury consist of highly accomplished people with lots of experience and genuine passion for this foundation’s cause: to support young entrepreneurs.
All entrepreneurs must apply personally and:
• are able to present an innovative, future-oriented product or service concept
• are dedicated to their project full time
• have already or are about to establish a Switzerland-based company
• have their registered residence in Switzerland
• are (usually) not older than 45 years
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1) The de Vigier Awards are given to outstanding entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, or religion.
Entrepreneur Profile
2) We weigh the idea and the personality of the entrepreneur equally.
Innovative Character
3) How innovative is your solution?
Relevance for Society
4) What’s the overall relevance for society? To what degree does your solution satisfy an existing need?
Feasibility
5) We specifically look at the feasibility of the project’s realization from a technical and financial standpoint.
Chances of Success
6) How high are your chances of success, considering the size of your potential market? And how many jobs does your business create?
Market Competitiveness
7) How competitive are you on the market?
