Swiss ep 2025 action plan session team 5 1 1
Short Summary:
Team 5's action plan for the Swiss EP 2025 focuses on improving the quality of startup incubators. Their solution is a joint incubation program ("Corporate U Collaborative Incubation Program") involving corporations, incubators, the government, and mentors. This program aims to select 10 high-potential startups, provide them with training and mentorship, and facilitate collaborations with corporate sponsors. The expected outcomes include capable founders, proven business models, and marketable products. The program's budget is approximately $70,000 (1.5 billion in local currency), with partial funding secured. A key challenge is convincing corporations to participate, which the team addresses by framing the program as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. First Lab, a successful incubator funded by Fica, is cited as a case study.
Detailed Summary:
The transcript details Team 5's action plan for improving the Swiss startup ecosystem. The plan addresses the identified gap of low-quality incubators by proposing a collaborative solution.
Section 1: Problem and Solution: The team identifies the need to improve the quality of incubators, not just their quantity. Their solution is a joint incubation program, the "Corporate U Collaborative Incubation Program," designed to bring together corporations, incubators, the government, and mentors to support startups.
Section 2: Program Details: The program involves a two-month recruitment phase, selecting 10 startups. From months 2-6, selected startups will receive training and mentorship on business models and founder capabilities. Months 6-12 focus on collaboration with corporate sponsors to assess the startups' potential for commercialization and continued support.
Section 3: Expected Outcomes and Budget: The desired outcomes are capable founders, proven business models, and marketable products ready for commercialization. The estimated budget is $70,000 (1.5 billion in local currency), with $25,000 already secured from Fica.
Section 4: Addressing Corporate Participation: A key challenge is securing corporate participation. The team addresses this by positioning the program as a CSR activity, emphasizing the societal benefit rather than solely focusing on corporate business agendas. They highlight that this approach aligns with corporations' desire for impactful investments. The success of First Lab, an incubator funded by Fica, is presented as a case study demonstrating the viability of this model.
Notable Quotes: The team emphasizes the need to "lessen the amount of incubators but improve the quality of incubators." They also highlight their strategy of not "following the business agenda of the corporates" but framing participation as a CSR activity. The mention of First Lab serves as a powerful example of a successful, similar initiative.