Application guidelines

Please read the information available on this page before you submit your application.

• You have a strong motivation to found a startup based on UZH research.
• You have a clear startup idea in one of the supported domains (Digital Innovation, Sustainable Society or Bio & MedTech).
• You have Master or Doctoral degree. Doctoral students who plan to complete their thesis within six months after the application deadline can also apply.
• You are mentored by a UZH professor (host professor) during the fellowship who provides access to the the necessary lab space and infrastructure to carry out the project.
• You dedicate your time fully to the startup project which is confirmed by your host professor in the support letter.
• You agree to all rights and obligations of UZH Entrepreneur Fellows which are found in the general terms: Digital Innovation & Sustainable Society, Bio & MedTech.

The projects are selected in a a three stage selection process:
1) eligibility check
2) internal pre-selection
3) interview with the jury

The UZH Entrepreneur Fellowships are awarded based on the following criteria:

• Science-based: The proposal is based on excellent scientific work.
• Innovation potential: The proposed solutions stands out against existing solutions and promises a competitive advantage based on a unique technology or approach, unique business model, existing or envisaged intellectual property protection.
• Economic viability: The proposal conveys an attractive market opportunity and grounded business case.
• Feasibility: The applicant presents a realistic project plan with clear milestones. The project team has access to sufficient resources and appropriate knowledge to pursue the project.
• Personal potential of the applicant: The applicant is highly motivated for the project and is ready to take on this entrepreneurial endeavor.

Applications in the Sustainable Society track are also evaluated on this criteria:

• Impact potential: The proposed solution will contribute towards positive social and/or environmental impact.

The funding can be used to pay salaries, materials and other project-related expenses. The adequate salary level depends on the education level of the applicant and on other costs expected in the project. UZH Entrepreneur Fellows are to be employed as Scientific Assistants (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeitende). Funding obtained or requested from other sources that is related to the project must be declared.

The Entrepreneur Fellowship is a UZH project. The rights to the research results and any intellectual property created in the course of work (including but not limited to inventions, algorithms, software, data, documents and know-how) are owned by the UZH. Unitectra will support the fellow to develop an intellectual property strategy. The startup will need to set up a license agreement between UZH and the company to use the intellectual property.

All details to the rights and obligations of UZH Entrepreneur Fellows can be found in the general terms.

The application requires the following elements.

• Project description Project proposal (Form A1) (DOCX, 71 KB)
• Project budget Budget (Form A2) (XLSX, 42 KB)
• Filled application form on the grants platform Blank application form (for reference only) (PDF, 128 KB)
• Invention disclosure Invention disclosure (DOCX, 64 KB) (mandatory for Bio&MedTech)
• Support letter from your mentor Mentor Letter of Support Template (DOCX, 55 KB)
• 3 minute pitch video
• Your CV

With your application you will submit a 3 min video. Describe your innovation, which problem you aim to solve and the market potential. Finally, share your motivation to realize this solution and why you (and your team) bring the right experience and skills to move this project forward.

Record your video using the technology of your choice (smartphone, zoom etc.). There is no need to prepare a high-end video production.

To increase your chances to obtain the UZH Entrepreneur Fellowship you should develop a strong value proposition for your innovation. Especially in the life science domain it is also importat to develop an intellectual property strategy before you submit your application.

Receive the UZH Innovation Grants to get support to develop a quantified value proposition.

Reach out to the experts at the Translational Medicine Accelerator (TMA) to get advice on how to validate the unmet medical need your innovation address.

The techtransfer managers at Unitectra will help you with any questions you might have regarding preparing intellectual property.

For applicants in the Bio & MedTech domain, the participation in Module A of the BioEntrepreneurship & Innovation (BEI) program is highly recommended before submitting your application, as it provides valuable preparation and feedback on your pitch.

Yes, you can already now create a profile on the grants platform and fill in your contact information. Leave your application as a draft and make changes before finally submitting it at a later date.

While the goal of the fellowship is to prepare the translation of your research into a real application, you can publish research results during the fellowship. It will be important that you coordinate the timing of publications with your intellectual property strategy.

Rejected applications may be resubmitted. However, a project and/or applicant may not re-apply for the UZH Entrepreneur Fellowships more than twice. Furthermore, the jury expects to see a substantial progress of the project and/or business case in the reapplication.