Welcome to the Propelling Program, your gateway to transforming groundbreaking academic research into impactful societal innovations.
At the Innovation Office, we are committed to supporting researchers like you in bringing your discoveries and ideas to life. Our Propelling Program is designed to help you navigate the journey from academia to entrepreneurship, providing you with the resources, funding, and mentorship needed to succeed.
Numbers
since 2018
80+
Number of applicants
17
Projects Funded
11
Incorporation in Progress
5
Startups Founded
The Propelling Grant is designed to assist researchers affiliated with the University of Basel in transforming your discoveries or ideas into start-ups.
Offering up to 50,000 CHF per project, this grant can propel your project forward by:
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Assessing and refining your business model while developing your business plan.
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Checking your product-market fit by understanding customer needs.
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Navigating the regulatory landscape with the help of external experts.
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Developing your IP and IP strategy by involving specialists.
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Crafting a comprehensive incorporation plan to establish your company effectively.
The Propelling Grant also supports projects on the verge of forming industry partnerships but lacking specific evidence.
The Propelling Program Workplan
All active affiliates of the University of Basel (PhD students, postdocs, researchers, professors, employees) are eligible, except alumni.
If you are solely affiliated with the University Hospital Basel (USB) or the University Children’s Hospital of Basel (UKBB), you are not eligible.
Eligible projects include those that have already validated their concept or technology, as well as those that have developed their first prototype.
The grant provides up to 50,000 CHF for a period of up to six months as non-dilutive funding. You are free to propose how you will use the funds as part of the evaluation process.
Depending on the maturity of your project, the Evaluation Board may require you to allocate part of the funds to a specific coaching program, decided on a case-by-case basis.
Awardees are required to have regular exchanges with the Innovation Office (start, mid- and end-project) about:
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the results of the scientific/technical validation;
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an improved version of the strategy for the next steps (including but not limited to: business plan, market roadmap, next funding, etc.)
Submission Deadlines and Interview Dates
The call for projects is always open. Evaluation occurs twice a year, in Spring (February/March) and Fall (October/November).
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To apply, complete a brief online form and upload two documents:
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Propelling Grant Application Form (Word document).
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Propelling Grant Slide Deck (PowerPoint template).
Please ensure that all submitted information is non-confidential.
For more details, refer to the Evaluation Process & Timeline document. While timelines might vary due to administrative processes, selected applicants will be invited for an in-person pitch/interview with the Evaluation Board.
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Basic Offer
Office Space
Visibility
Workshops
Online Platform
+ Tailored to your Project Field
The Propelling Program Workplan
Applications are now closed for Spring 2025
Propelling Grant
Application deadline - 03rd of March
Pitch Session & Interviews - 04th of April
Application deadline
March / September
March / September
Pre-Evaluation
Interviews
April / November
May / December
Finalists
Kickoff Meeting
June / January
!
Program Starts
Next Steps
Contacts
Alessandro Mazzetti
Head, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Deputy Managing Director, Innovation Office
Evaluation Board
Daniel Haering
Advisor, Mentor, Coach, Business Angel, Director
Alethia de Leon
Life sciences /Healthcare Board Member, Entrepreneur & Investor
Andre Moeri
Board member at Medgate, Scale-up Coach
Werner Boeing
NED, Advisory Board Member, Mentor
Waltraud Grünbauer
Grünbauer Consulting & Development (Freelance)
Propelling Grant Winners
SyroX
Winner Spring 2024
Laura De Smalen & Don Benjamin
from the Biozentrum, University of Basel
GlioCART
Winner Spring 2024
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. sc. nat. Gregor Hutter from the Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel
Quamplify
Winner Fall 2023
Miguel J. Carballido, Rafael S. Eggli, Taras Patlatiuk from the Department of Physics, University of Basel
Qprobe
Winner Fall 2023
Richard Warburton, Andreas Kuhlmann & Sascha Martin from the Department of Physics, University of Basel
EndoGlow
Winner Fall 2023
Jacopo Millul & Melpomeni Fani from the University of Basel & University Hospital Basel
Partners
