Swiss Entrepreneurship Program

The project

The second phase of Swiss EP is based on experiences and results of the first phase to ensure continuation of efforts made and results achieved. We organise our work in these 3 key working areas, however they are highly interrelated:

1.    Strengthening relevant local ecosystem organisations
We continue providing tailor-made support to our partnering ecosystem support organizations to improve their business model, management capacities, communication and mentoring networks as well as programs and services to entrepreneurs, and thus their overall performance.

2.    Strengthening collaboration in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
We support the collaboration and cooperation among different players because community building is a crucial ingredient for viable and healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems – bringing like-minded people together and foster their collaboration. In strong ecosystems, startups find support at every stage of business creation. We facilitate more collaboration through our local teams and through contributing to joint events as well as with our global events in Switzerland (peer exchange meetup and women entrepreneurs week). 

3.    Mobilise Capital for entrepreneurs
We put weight on one of the key assets of a maturing ecosystem: the availability and accessibility of diverse sources for capital for startups to grow their business. We put the focus on professionalising local business angel networks, accelerators, local or regional venture capital funds and strengthening early stage grant schemes. At the same time, we support our partnering ecosystem support organisations to make their portfolio startups investment-ready.

Crosscutting topics
Swiss EP also continues to enhance the participation of women entrepreneurs in the ecosystem, to engage the media and the diaspora and on demand help partner organisations to engage in public-private dialogue.

Guiding principles

• Our partner organisations are in charge of their own development. They drive. We support.
• We apply an indirect approach, so we support local organisations designing and implementing their activities rather than having own ones to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem overall and foster ownership.
• We do not provide financial support but give customised expertise and know-how.
• We do not have a sector focus to include innovation and opportunities wherever they occur.
• We focus on strengthening peer exchange among local organisations and with successful entrepreneurs, investors and startup professionals from abroad – for strong and viable entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Project partner

J.E. Austin Associates, Inc.

Project links

• https://swissep.org/
• https://swissep.org/entrepreneurs-in-residence