EC Award: Dream Big.
2 May 2017 | ETH HG Audi Max
Join the Competition
Free Ticket

In partnership with

Launched in 2014, the Swiss Start Up Factory is a Zurich-based Accelerator looking for thriving digital entrepreneurs: we provide exciting opportunities from day one, through our network in Switzerland and around the globe. We run a three month-long start-up Accelerator program in which we provide a unique platform of services, coaching, mentoring and office space in the heart of Zurich as well as entrepreneurial network to achieve our ambitious goals.

Swiss Start Up Factory

"The EC Award makes things happen."

I was encouraged by this competition to 'just try my luck' with an idea I had. The feedback and funding I received helped in making a startup out of my idea.

Tim Taubner

Winner EC Award 2015

Founder of Koala Bicycles

"I don't like startups."

It simply is not attractive to do what you believe in, to do what you love or to realize the changes you want to see.

No one.

Seriously, no one.

Are you ...

a creative?

Show the world what you see.

a doer?

We offer you the means to kick off.

a thinker?

Prove yourself in practice.

an eco?

Start making the change.

a dreamer?

Turn it into reality.

just interested?

Get to know more about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Zürich.

Do the magic

  • Sign up and present your project on cofoundme.org
  • Get preselected for the Polybahn Pitch (22.04.17)
  • Qualify and pitch at the event (02.05.17)
  • Enjoy the cheering audience and win up to 12'000 CHF
Join the competition

See the magic

  • Vote on cofoundme.org
  • Get your ticket from eventbrite
  • Come to the event
  • Enjoy awesome pitches and meet awesome people
Free Ticket

2nd May 2017

ETH HG F30 (Audi Max), Rämistrasse 101

Schedule

17:15
  • 7 pitches by teams, selected by EC Award Qualification Committee
  • every 3 min pitch is followed by 5 min Q&A with the jury
18:30 Burgers'n'Beer
19:15 Winner Ceremony
19:45 Sweets and Networking

Prizes

General: 2nd

5000 CHF
  • SSUF Pre-Accelerator Program access
  • ETH EC Coworking Space access
  • Business Webhosting Package
  • also: fame

General: 1st

8000 CHF
  • SSUF Pre-Accelerator Program access
  • ETH EC Coworking Space access
  • Business Webhosting Package
  • also: much fame

General: 3rd

3000 CHF
  • SSUF Pre-Accelerator Program access
  • ETH EC Coworking Space access
  • Business Webhosting Package
  • also: fame

Best Pitch

2000 CHF
  • SSUF Pre-Accelerator Program access
  • Business Webhosting Package
  • also: swag

Audience Prize

2000 CHF
  • SSUF Pre-Accelerator Program access
  • Business Webhosting Package
  • also: swag

Past winners

Immunas

  • Winner Spring 2016
  • 1st Prize
  • Test reducing use of antibiotics through rapid diagnostics of infection's source

Sound-Proof

  • Winner Fall 2015
  • Best innovation
  • Seamless Two-factor authentication via sound

Whipcat

  • Runner-up Fall 2015
  • Best added value
  • Drone charging over long distances

Frequently asked questions

  • Who can participate with an idea?
    • Everyone - teams of arbitrary size.
  • Are there restrictions on the topics?
    • Nope.
  • Are there any restrictions on the idea?
    • We do not allow funded ideas/startups.
  • Are prototypes allowed?
    • Yes, still the idea has to be considered 'early-stage'.
  • How can you qualify as a team?
    • Three teams will qualify for the elevator pitches by getting top ranking on the cofoundme voting. The EC Award Qualificaiton Committee will pick 15 teams demonstrating extraordinary quality for the elevator pitches. The 6 best teams get the chance to pitch at the EC Award. Furthermore, the committee will make sure to restrict participation to idea-stage projects.
  • I have already worked on my project. I don't know if I'm still idea-stage.
    • Heuristic, not a rule: If your work brought you to a prototype for the purpose of getting feedback, great. If your past work already represents a respectable part of your product or business, you are no longer what we're looking for.
  • Is it ok to have one of the team members to be part of EC?
    • Nope.
  • What should a project registration on cofoundme.org look like?
    • We don't require a certain structure - just do your best to convince the voters and the Qualification Committee. Be sure to emphasize on the given judgement criteria. Furthermore, you might want to restrict the length of your content.
  • What will the pitches be like?
    • Every team will have exactly 3 min to pitch. We will not let any team have a second of overtime (hint: there will be a gong!). Slides are allowed. Immediately afterwards, the jury will randomly ask you questions for 5 min. There are no restrictions on the content of the pitch. However we want you to keep in mind, that it's all about idea-stage projects.
  • What are the judgement criteria for at the event?
    • Feasibility, monetization potential, innovation, added social and/or ecological value.
  • Do I need a ticket to join the audience?
    • Yes, but all tickets are free. We want everyone to enjoy the evening, which is impossible without seats, food and drinks. Still we don't want to spend an unnecessary amount of money on food and drinks - as we try to rise the prizes as much as we can.

Contact Us

Questions regarding the EC Award?

award@entrepreneur-club.org

General questions regarding the Entrepreneur Club?

info@entrepreneur-club.org

Our Sponsors

Interested in sponsoring? Get back to us.

gregory.inauen@entrepreneur-club.org