Innosuisse Innovation Mentoring

The path to innovation funding can be a jungle of choices and challenges. That’s where I step in. I offer personalised and practical support to secure the funding you need to make your innovation idea a reality.

What you will gain from working with me:

Clear Viability Assessment: You’ll get a thorough evaluation of your innovation’s commercial and technical potential. This will not only enhance your confidence in its feasibility and market readiness but also pinpoint any red flags and areas for improvement.

Ideal Funding strategy and Project Partners Identified: I’ll support identify the most suitable funding options for your project and introduce you to project partners who can support your innovation journey.

Well-Defined Project Scope: You’ll benefit from a clearly defined project scope that aligns with funding requirements and ensures your intellectual property is effectively protected.

Compelling Funding Proposal: You’ll have a persuasive, bulletproof proposal that highlights your vision and significantly boosts your chances of securing the necessary funding to bring your innovation to life.

Expertise

With a background in engineering and entrepreneurship, I bring a unique blend of technical and business expertise. As an Innosuisse-accredited innovation mentor, I’ve helped over 80 businesses secure funding to bring bold ideas to life. I also serve on the board of Startup Weekend Switzerland and as a Speaker Associate for TEDxZurich. Discover more on my LinkedIn profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you eligible for Innosuisse support?

To be eligible for Innosuisse funding, ensure your business / innovation project meet the following key criteria:

Value Creation: Your project should clearly demonstrate the potential to generate significant commercial or societal benefits. This could mean a scalable business, new revenue streams, or making a significant positive impact on societal or environmental challenges.
Implementation Skills: Your team must possess the right mix of skills and resources to execute the project effectively. This includes technical expertise, business acumen, and strong project management capabilities to ensure successful market entry.
Degree of Innovation: Your project needs to stand out with a unique concept, technology, or approach that differentiates it from current market offerings and challenges the status quo.
Project Quality: The overall quality of your project proposal will be rigorously assessed. This includes well-defined milestones, a realistic timeline, a solid budget, effective risk management strategies, and a clear plan for protecting intellectual property.

Cost of Innovation Mentoring?

If you’re a Swiss business with fewer than 250 full-time equivalents and meet the criteria outlined above, you might be eligible for Innovation Mentoring financed by Innosuisse. If you’re ready, you can apply for the initial assessment at https://innolink.innosuisse.ch > “Create Initial Assessment application”.

For businesses that surpass the FTE threshold, I offer my services on a fixed-price basis. Get in touch to explore how I can support your specific goals.

When is the right time to start with Innovation Mentoring?

It’s ideal to begin once you’ve pre-assessed the technical and commercial viability of your innovation project and have a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. Knowing which areas require external support is crucial at this stage. You don’t need to have identified project partners or funding instruments yet—this is something we can tackle together.
What’s important is that you’re ready to commit and invest the necessary effort into the mentoring process.

Funding Instruments and grants I can support you with?

I have successfully supported in securing over 70 successful innovation funding grants, including Innosuisse Innovation Projects, Innosuisse Innovation Checks, Start-up Innovation Projects (SIP), Eurostars Calls, Bilateral Calls, and various sector-specific grants.

What type of companies and research institutions I work with?

I collaborate with a select group of businesses that have a strong potential for value creation, where my support can truly make a difference. My focus is on tech startups and SMEs that are committed to challenging the status quo, tackling significant problems, and driving innovation through cutting-edge R&D.
With expertise across multiple sectors, I specialize in integrating advanced technologies into fields such as eHealth, MedTech, sustainability, and education.
I also connect companies with leading research institutions throughout Switzerland, ensuring that geographical boundaries never hinder success.
And when it comes to language, I’ve got you covered—fluent in English, German/Swiss German, French, and Spanish, with a basic grasp of Italian.

Are you a researcher seeking support?

While I work extensively with research institutions, Innosuisse’s Innovation Mentoring is tailored specifically for businesses. If you are a researcher planning to apply for an innovation project with an industry partner, I recommend directing them to this website or having them contact me directly.
We can explore the potential for a strong collaboration and ensure that all parties are aligned to develop a successful proposal together.

References

Ready to collaborate?

I’m eager to learn about your business and what drives your pursuit of innovation funding and mentoring. Understanding your goals will help us tailor our collaboration for success.

Let’s Get Started