First Ventures (Gebert Rüf Stiftung)

First Ventures is a support program initiated by the Gebert Rüf Stiftung to empower entrepreneurial Bachelor's and Master's students, as well as recent graduates from Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), who want to develop an innovative business idea into a market-ready startup. The program provides financial contributions of up to CHF 150,000 across three structured funding stages: PROOF (up to CHF 25,000 for feasibility and early prototypes), VALIDATE (up to CHF 50,000 for business case validation and MVP testing), and EXECUTE (up to CHF 75,000 for market entry and scaling), with direct entry into later phases permitted. In addition to funding, which primarily covers salaries of UAS-employed project managers and material costs, participants receive tailored coaching, business training, and access to a broad startup network.

Applicants must first email a project abstract specifying the desired funding stage, then submit their complete application form, UAS support letter, and elevator pitch via the online web portal by the specified quarterly deadline.