In order to gain access to phase 2 of the Scale-up Coaching programme, you will have to present your business growth goals and the resulting business growth concept at a Scale-up Award meeting to a committee of experts and representatives of the Innosuisse Innovation Council. The committee will decide on your admission to phase 2. If the decision is positive, you will receive the Innosuisse Scale-up Award.
Evaluation and decision
The presentation is assessed based on the initial Scale-up Coaching application requirements and considering the outcome of phase 1 of the programme.
Assessment criteria:
- Is the business model innovative and science-based?
The developed solution and/or business model has to be considered a novelty on the market and can be associated with a scientific discipline. - Is the company at an appropriate stage of maturity?
Do past growth performance, annual revenue, financing raised, size of the team, management competencies and other elements testify to the scale-up stage of the start-up? - Has an ambitious yet realisable growth strategy been defined?
Does the company have a high growth rate or growth potential of ≥30%? - Does the scale-up company have the potential to achieve a significant market share in its segment?
- Is the product/service defendable?
For a start-up to be successful, it is crucial that it has a competitive advantage. This can be a valuable IP (patent, trademark), specific expertise, or particular speed to market, etc. - Does the start-up team have global ambitions and committed interests in the company's growth?
Building a start-up is very dynamic and requires a lot of time and effort. Therefore the start-up team must be committed, agile in terms of execution and receptive to input. - Is the business idea sustainable?
The business idea must not have any negative impact on the sustainable development of society, the economy or the environment; ideally, it should actively contribute to sustainable development.
Decision
The Innosuisse Innovation Council decides on your application based on the information and assessments submitted:
- Your application to phase 2 of the Scale-up Coaching programme is approved
Innosuisse will inform you of the approval at the Scale-up Award meeting and by email and IncaMail, including the Innosuisse Scale-up Award.
- Your application is rejected
Innosuisse will inform you of the negative decision by IncaMail. The communication will explain why the application was not approved. A negative decision closes the coaching voucher.
This process usually takes about two to four weeks.
All required documents are to be uploaded using the Innosuisse online tool and a review request is to be sent to Innosuisse by email (startup@innosuisse.ch).
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Scale-up Coaching
Can I apply for money to be paid out instead of receiving the voucher?
Do I have to be awarded with the Innosuisse Certificate to apply for the Scale-up Coaching?
Can I interview coaches before selecting the coach?
What are the legal relationships between me, a coach and Innosuisse?
Can I change coaches in the process?
How do I pay the coaches using my voucher?
How can I keep an eye on things like the budget, the coaches I am working with and the milestones I need to achieve?
Can I use the Innosuisse coaching voucher with external coaches not on the Innosuisse list?
Can I submit additional documents once the application is in progress?
Under which format do I report my milestones?
Can I get the unused portion of the coaching budget paid out?
The Innosuisse coaching vouchers are limited for use with the coaching options offered and cannot be paid out.
No, Innosuisse Certification is not a requirement to be eligible for the Scale-up Coaching.
All Innosuisse coaches have a proven track record of their expertise. Further information on the individual coaches is provided in the Innosuisse online tool. The information provided there is sufficient to make a selection. Innosuisse can support you with the selection if you are unsure.
The relationship between you and Innosuisse is a funding relationship. The associated rights and obligations are set out in the “decision” you will receive when your application has been approved. A “decision” is a legal term for the paper document that Innosuisse sends to the applicants. This document contains the decision as to whether an application for coaching was approved or rejected.
Your partnership with a coach is governed by a standardised contract, which is implemented in the IT tool and automatically becomes effective as soon as that coach decides to accept your invitation to work together. You will need to specify a portion of your budget to be assigned to each coach for their services. The budget amount is to be agreed between you and the relevant coach directly. If necessary, the budget can be amended at any time in the Innosuisse online tool by mutual agreement.
Yes. It is recommended approaching coaches who are relevant for your business challenges. You can approach and select individual coaches using the Innosuisse online tool. Innosuisse can support you with the selection.
Coaches are paid for their flexible coaching services on an hourly basis at a standard rate. The whole payments process is managed directly and electronically in the Innosuisse online tool.
The voucher is managed solely via the Innosuisse online tool provided by Innosuisse. There you can see which coach(es) you are working with and how much of your budget you have left.
The Innosuisse coaching voucher is only valid for Innosuisse-accredited coaches and cannot be used for coaches outside of the programme.
The submitted report/application cannot be edited once it is submitted. However, it is possible to send an updated pitch deck by email to startup@innosuisse.ch at the latest three days before the presentation at the Scale-up Award meeting. Any other additional documents after the submission are not considered for the evaluation.
You will be provided with an official template by Innosuisse that can then be uploaded to the Innosuisse online tool.
No, the portion of the budget that has not be used cannot be paid out.
Last modification 21.07.2023
