TEAM KICK AWARD FALL 2025
Already a team? Have a solid understanding of a problem space and an initial solution you'd like to commercialize?
If you're looking for funding, personalised support to further validate your solution, to grow as a leader and extend your startup runway, compete now for the Team Kick Award (5’000 CHF) and get short-tracked directly into the 2nd semester of Talent Kick!
In this phase of the Talent Kick Program, we focus on helping you:
Validate your solution further with
5’000 CHF
(non-dilutive).
Build a strong network of experienced entrepreneurs, executives, potential customers, investors, and domain experts.
Receive ongoing individual and team leadership coaching to strengthen your leadership and decision-making skills as well as overcome challenges and limiting beliefs.
Leverage synergies with your studies and connect to follow-up programs and funding sources to extend your startup runway.
Validate your solution hands-on through feedback, testing, and real-world input.
​​
We’ll support you until you graduate, so you can confidently decide to work in your own startup after your studies.
​
HOW TO APPLY?
If you want to take up our offer and apply to join the second semester of Talent Kick, you will need to complete a few steps, and just as the TK-S25 teams currently in Talent Kick pitch in front of our Steering Committee and Partners, as well as in front of our Strategy Board.
​
Once you pass the initial screening, we’ll send you detailed instructions and guidance.
Here’s an overview of the process:
1
SUBMIT YOUR WRITTEN APPLICATION
Deadline: July 6 - 23:59 (CEST)
A team application form should be submitted for your team. It should be filled out only once by one representative on behalf of the entire team.
Each individual team member must also fill out a separate individual form. Please make sure all members complete their form for your team application to be considered complete.
Please note that at least one student of the team must be a student enrolled at a Swiss university or Swiss university of Applied Science to apply.
All Talent Kick events and programs are held fully in english, so please ensure that all team members are comfortable communicating in English, both spoken and written.
2
TALENT KICK PITCH DECK REVIEW
The Talent Kick team will help you refine your 2-minute pitch ahead of the Steering Committee & Partner Pitching session (see below).
Mandatory for at least one team member.
3
JOIN THE TALENT KICK STEERING COMMITTEE
& PARTNER PITCHING SESSION

23 July - 13:00-17:00 (CEST), online
In this half-day event, you will be pitching your startup-to-be in front of a great panel of ecosystem contributors: VCs, entrepreneurs, university officials, and our partners. Your pitch should take 2 minutes, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your startup and build a first, lasting impression on potential future supporters.
Mandatory attendance for at least one team member.
4
FIND A MENTOR & SUBMIT A FOUNDERS AGREEMENT
13 August - 23:59 (CEST)
All teams going through Talent Kick must create and sign a Founders Agreement, and find a mentor to support you through your entrepreneurial journey.
These must be submitted to Talent Kick for review and will be a deciding factor in whether or not you are admitted among other criteria like your pitch performance.
More information about how to secure a mentor and how to create a Founders Agreement will be sent out after the first screening round.
5
JOIN THE STRATEGY BOARD PITCHING
5 September - 14:30-16:30 (CEST), online
The final step in the admissions process, in which you pitch your startup and progress to our Strategy Board.
Mandatory attendance for at least one team member.
6