New blood and more initiatives for the Swiss Startup Association
The association chaired by Raphael Tobler will promote the interests of the most innovative Swiss companies and the topic of entrepreneurship in society and politics
July 30, 2020 will remain a memorable date in the history of “new businesses in the form of a temporary organization or a corporation seeking organizational and strategic solutions that are repeatable and can grow indefinitely,” to use Wikipedia’s definition of the increasingly popular and current concept of “startup.”
In fact, the Swiss Startup Association (SSA) has announced that it will further successfully engage within the Swiss landscape of such companies, within which it has been operating for five years now. The main goal of the association will be to make Switzerland the first startup hotspot in Europe. The entrepreneurship support association, chaired by Raphael Tobler, is now ready to tackle this project.
The Swiss Confederation will become one of the most entrepreneur-friendly countries in Europe. The Swiss Startup Association aspires to make this vision a reality with its relaunch in spring 2020. With a young and motivated team and a network of experienced supporters, the SSA will act as a mouthpiece for Swiss startups. It will convey the interests and viewpoints of potential “unicorns” to the economy, politics and society.
Objective: to represent the entire “start-up ecosystem”
The non-profit organization represents all start-ups, regardless of the sector in which they operate, and intends to involve all members present in the ecosystem: promising companies, investors, companies, authorities, foundations and educational institutions all fall into this category.
Cooperation between individual start-ups is actively promoted. “As a Federal Councillor and head of the Department of Economy, Education and Research, I appreciate the fact that Swiss start-ups have a better opportunity to network and support each other. I look forward to counting on the Swiss Startup Association when I need a competent contact,” said Minister Guy Parmelin.
With the help of the Advisory Board, which includes founders, investors, politicians and other personalities close to startups, the set of “unicorns of tomorrow” will be represented democratically, heterogeneously and inclusively.
Strengthening and promoting the Swiss economic engine
In recent years, the federal government has set important records in investments to startups and, at the end of 2019, could count 44,612 brand new companies active in the country. The Swiss Trade Register has never before recorded such a high number of startups. Moreover, despite the pandemic, the numbers are still high, with 4,445 in June 2020.
Investments are increasing, and with them grows the possibility that the economy will flourish with the help of successful start-ups. In particular, they create jobs and generate income that can be spent and invested nationwide.
In order to increase this positive trend, the SSA will launch projects in the future that promote the interests of these companies and the topic of entrepreneurship in society and politics.
“We promote innovative entrepreneurship, introduce the start-up mentality into society and represent their interests in relation to legislation, administration and relations with the public. As a national network, we connect all startups, founders and their friends to each other wherever possible,” explained Raphael Tobler, President Swiss Startup Association.
With the first article, “How to get funding in Switzerland,” the organization wants to advise startups about funding alternatives. In addition, the SSA is working on creating a week for entrepreneurs at secondary schools in order to draw attention to the topic as early as possible during the school run. It also offers a wide range of benefits for innovative companies associated with it.