What is Kickstart?
Kickstart is all about open innovation — a fresh approach designed to help organizations become more sustainable and inventive. It accelerates collaboration by connecting well-established startups with public and private organizations, investors, and experts. The goal? To create cutting-edge products and services that make a meaningful impact on a large scale. Since its inception, Kickstart has been building purposeful innovation ecosystems that drive real change.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
Kickstart’s track record speaks volumes. Here are some standout facts that highlight its success:
- Since 2015, 343 commercial partnerships have been facilitated.
- 490 startups have been supported in scaling their businesses.
- International alumni startups have raised over CHF 2.8 billion.
- One of the largest and most successful innovation platforms in Europe.
- Over 200 innovation deals reached since launch.
- Record-breaking 40 Proofs of Concept (PoCs) in a single edition (2020).
- Engaged 1,500 people through activities in 2020 alone.
The Evolution of Kickstart
Kickstart’s journey is a story of growth and adaptation. It kicked off in 2016 as an accelerator initiative by digitalswitzerland, collaborating with Impact Hub Zurich. The first focus areas were FinTech, Future & Emerging Technologies, and Food. By 2017, it became an Impact Hub program, tapping into a global network of over 16,000 entrepreneurs and creatives across 100+ hubs worldwide. Fast forward to 2018, the program expanded with its 6th vertical: EdTech & Learning, attracting a diverse range of partners. In 2019, Kickstart evolved into Kickstart Innovation, sharpening its focus on commercial collaborations with late-stage startups. This evolution reflects its commitment to staying relevant and impactful.
Fostering Innovation with Purpose
At its core, Kickstart is about fast-tracking sustainable solutions for the future. It’s not just innovation for innovation’s sake — it’s innovation with a purpose. By bringing together a vibrant community of startups, investors, organizations, and experts, Kickstart creates a collaborative environment where ideas can flourish and turn into real-world solutions. This ecosystem approach ensures that the innovations developed are not only cutting-edge but also meaningful and scalable.
Community and Collaboration
One of the standout features of Kickstart is its open innovation process. Participants don’t just get access to resources; they become part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators. This network effect is powerful — it sparks new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that might not happen otherwise. The collaborative spirit is what drives Kickstart’s success and helps startups scale faster and smarter.
Kickstart’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Looking Ahead
Kickstart continues to push boundaries, aiming to accelerate innovation that matters. With its strong foundation, diverse network, and clear focus on sustainability and growth, it’s well-positioned to keep making waves in the innovation landscape. The journey is ongoing, and the impact keeps growing — proving that when collaboration meets purpose, great things happen.
