Start the new year with an award

Awards provide a perfect opportunity to receive non-dilutive funding, get access to potential business partners and investors and to gain visibility. The deadlines of the following important awards are about to expire. We recommend taking a look at the award profiles in our assets section. There you will find articles about the former winners. With this information you get a first-hand impression of what kinds of start-ups have realistic chances to win.

W.A de Vigier Award, Deadline: 7 January

The W.A. de Vigier Award is giving away five awards to start-ups of CHF 100,000.00 each. Over the past 30 years, the foundation has distributed over CHF 11 million of seed money. The following aspects are relevant for the evaluation of the projects: The entrepreneurial personality, the degree of innovation, the value for society as a whole, the technical and financial viability, market prospects and the potential for job creation. The nomination process includes a selection day where 60 start-ups have the opportunty to pitch to the foundation board, investors and guests. 
Website W. A de Vigier Foundation, Award profile

Prix PERL, Deadline: 8 January

The Prix PERL is awarded to young companies from the Lausanne region. The total annual prize money available is CHF 100,000.
Website Lausanne Region, Award profile

Venture Leaders in Technology, Silicon Valley, Deadline: 12 January

The venture leaders’ startup development program is specifically structured for start-ups that envision themselves as global players and want to take the first step to their global expansion. This intense journey offers 10 selected entrepreneurs an accelerated learning curve and a solid network through their exchanges with their peers in the team, as well as market exposure, feedback from investors and experts, and hands-on business development.
Website Venturelab, Award profile

Startfeld Diamant, Deadline: 17 January

Startfield Diamant is the award for start-ups from St. Gallen and Appenzell Ausserrhoden. A total of 50,000 Swiss francs in prize money will be awarded. The two-stage application process also enables young companies to critically examine their own business model and to further optimize it together with experts.
Website St. Gallen Cantonal Bank, Award profile

Swiss Economic Award, Deadline 31 January

The Swiss Economic Award selects and awards exceptional start-ups on an annual basis in three categories: "Services", "High-tech / Biotech" and "Production/Trade & Industry". Every winner receives CHF25’000 in cash. The prize-giving ceremony always takes place during the Swiss Economic Forum in Interlaken. The organizers are looking for start-ups that have already achieved initial economic success with their business idea.
Website Swiss Economic Forum, Award profile

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