Talent Kick Entrepreneurship Program (Spring 2027 cohort)

About

A free, highly selective cross-university program that helps Master's and PhD students at Swiss institutions form co-founder teams and validate startup ideas alongside their studies, with coaching and a chance at up to CHF 5,000 in non-dilutive validation funding.

Benefits

• 🎓Free program
  Selected participants receive free access to the program, valued at CHF 20,000 per student, made possible by leading Swiss foundations
• 🤝Co-founder matching
  Support to find an interdisciplinary co-founder team with complementary skills from another Swiss university
• 🧭Coaching and mentorship
• 1:1 personal leadership coaching and mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs
• 🌐Ecosystem connections
  Connection to Switzerland's entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem and support structures
• 💡Validation funding
  The strongest teams can receive up to CHF 5,000 in non-dilutive funding to test solutions and validate market potential
• 📚Study synergies
  Support to leverage synergies with a Master's degree or PhD program

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: Enrolled as a university student (Master's or PhD) at a Swiss university or higher education institution at the start of the program
• Mandatory: Have 2-4 semesters remaining in studies at the start of the program
• Preferred: Demonstrated entrepreneurial drive through exploring an area of interest, trying out ideas or identifying a problem or technology space
• Preferred: Deep understanding of a problem space or novel technology and openness to accept additional team members or pivot ideas if sensible

Participation Commitments

• Applications for the Spring 2027 batch close on 22 November 2026 at 23:59 CET
• Applicants may apply as an individual or as a pre-formed team
• Selected participants are expected to commit to the entrepreneurial journey and remain open to accepting additional team members or pivoting ideas if sensible
• The program lasts 1-4 semesters, with the first semester designed around bootcamps, events, workshops and coaching
• The program is held in English
• The program takes place at different locations between Zürich, Lausanne and Bern
• The program is free for selected participants and Talent Kick takes no equity

Target Region

Eligibility is tied to enrollment at a Swiss university or higher education institution; no nationality or residence requirement is stated.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other