ABOUT
The Swiss Business Incubation Centre (BIC) of CERN Technologies at Park Innovaare is a program designed to support entrepreneurs in their business endeavor by offering them access to CERN's unique technologies, know-how and IP, as well as tailor-made business and management coaching, and, last but not least, seed money of CHF 50,000.
Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare is in partnership with CERN as part of its network of nine Business Incubation Centres (BICs) throughout its Member States (for more information, please consult the CERN web page dedicated to its Business Incubation Network here).
Expression of Interest Form - 2021 Swiss BIC of CERN Technologies
FOR OUT-OF-THE-BOX THINKERS
Accelerators and accelerator-related technologies encompass a vast universe of competencies that can be used in almost any field. We invite all out-of-the-box thinkers willing to build on CERN’s comprehensive know-how to join the Swiss BIC of CERN Technologies program.
Joining the Swiss BIC of CERN Technologies has opened up new horizons to our technology – the access to CERN’s experts and IP has truly boosted our product development.
Glenn Meleder, CEO Securaxis SA and the first BIC incubatee.
One application - two competitions
Swiss BIC of CERN Technologies applicants that have been selected for Phase II, automatically qualify for the Swiss Innovation Challenge organized by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), if they so wish. The participants get a chance not only to win one of Switzerland's most famous start-up competitions but also to benefit from additional entrepreneurial mentoring and coaching. If the candidates do not want to proceed with the Swiss Innovation Challenge, they can opt out during the introduction call/meeting.
Expression of Interest Form - 2021 Swiss CERN BIC Technologies
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE?
The Swiss BIC of CERN Technologies program is a two-phase competition.
DEADLINE: 28 MARCH 2021
For Phase I : Expression of Interest, candidates are required to fill out a two-page proposal form outlining the technological challenge that they are aiming to solve, including their summary business idea.
DEADLINE: 12 SEPTEMBER 2021
A selection of the most eligible business concepts are invited to participate in Phase II : Business Plan. At this stage, they present a ten-page business plan and pitch it to the Selection Committee.
Between the two phases, all invited candidates participate in business development and technology coaching with our experts – an integral part of the program.
PHASE I: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Phase I is open to all those participants...
- who already know the solution to their challenge and know exactly which know-how, IP, or technology they require (IP "awarers"), and
- who are facing a challenge or are working on an idea, but are not yet sure which technology they want to use (inspiration seekers)
- who are willing to establish the headquarters of their business at Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare
Our experts evaluate the applicants' idea and requested level of CERN IP or know-how. Based on this, CERN’s Knowledge Transfer supports and matches the challenge to the right technology solution.
To apply, the Expression of Interest Form needs to be filled out, briefly describing the project’s application, market value and social impact, and then be sent to cern-bic@parkinnovaare.ch.
PHASE II: BUSINESS PLAN
DEADLINE: 12 SEPTEMBER 2021
Participation in Phase II is by invitation only. All those who are invited to the business plan competition after the evaluation of their two-pager Expression of Interest have until 12 September 2021 to compile and submit a more comprehensive ten-page business plan.
During this time, they are given the opportunity to liaise with technology experts from CERN and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and have their project assessed from a technological point of view. This means, for instance, that they receive information as to whether patents from the various fields of technology are available and suitable for their business idea. In addition, the applicants participate in a series of business development workshops.
PITCH PRESENTATION
DATE: OCTOBER 2021
After the candidates have submitted their business plan, the independent Selection Committee evaluates each project. All the candidates then have a chance to pitch their idea personally in front of the committee and selected guests and then to defend it in a closed-door Q&A session for a deeper dive into the project.
The winner is announced immediately afterwards, after deliberation of the Selection Committee.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
An independent committee of highly qualified experts in accelerator technologies, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, IP management, innovation, finance and media is formed.
The committee reviews the projects based on the business plan and a personal presentation (pitch).
Park Innovaare is proud to announce the 2021 Selection Committee:
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Dr. Giovanni Anelli, Head of Knowledge Transfer Group, CERN
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Dr. Benno Rechsteiner, CEO, Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare
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John Millard, Head of Technology Transfer, PSI
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Prof. Dr. Arie Hans Verkuil, Head of Institute of Management, FHNW
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Dr. Roland Moser, Head of Technology Office, SBB
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Dr. Thomas Dübendorfer, President, Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC)
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external representative (tbc)
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
After the winner is announced, the real work will begin!
The business of the incubatee will move into and join Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare's growing ecosystem, where it will benefit from comprehensive business development and marketing support.
Aargau Services, the regional business promotion agency, will support the incubatee with the relocation process to our innovation campus. Thus, the incubatee will be fully integrated into the vibrant campus of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), with its 2,000 scientists and engineers available as scientific partners.
The incubatee will also receive focused, tailor-made technology coaching from experts from CERN and PSI and will have the opportunity to work with the unique Intellectual Property of these institutions at advantageous conditions.
Finally, if desired, the incubatee is entitled to take part in the Entrepreneurship Program of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), where his/her business will learn the basic concepts of operative management.
PREVIOUS SWISS BIC of CERN WINNERS
The previous winners of the Swiss BIC of CERN Technologies demonstrate the wide range of applications that have been presented at the competition, and include:
2018: SecuraXis (Smart Cities, Sensors, Wildlife Preservation)
2019: ArcPower (Power Solutions for Space Applications)
2019: Terapet (Proton Therapy for Cancer Patients)
2020: XRnanotech (Nanostructured X-ray Optics)
CONTACT SWISS BIC OF CERN TECH
Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare
deliveryLAB
CH-5234 Villigen, SWITZERLAND
Debora Meier, Business Development Manager
PARTNERS
The Swiss BIC of CERN Technologies is hosted and operated by Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare with the support of its committed partners.
PARK INNOVAARE
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PARK INNOVAARE is a unique innovation center situated in close proximity to the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). Here, driven by PSI’s expertise, innovations in the fields of accelerator technology, advanced materials and processes, humans and health, and energy are transformed into marketable products and solutions. In order to create the best conditions for industrial research and spin-offs, PARK INNOVAARE connects innovative minds from the world of science and business.
PARK INNOVAARE is a unique innovation center situated in close proximity to the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). Here, driven by PSI’s expertise, innovations in the fields of accelerator technology, advanced materials and processes, humans and health, and energy are transformed into marketable products and solutions. In order to create the best conditions for industrial research and spin-offs, PARK INNOVAARE connects innovative minds from the world of science and business.
CERN TECHNOLOGY
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Founded in 1952, CERN is the European Council for Nuclear Research; it hosts the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments (purpose-built particle accelerators and detectors) for studying the basic constituents of matter. The research conducted here has proven many theories, deepened our understanding of the matter, and given the world some of the most widely-spread technologies.
Founded in 1952, CERN is the European Council for Nuclear Research; it hosts the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments (purpose-built particle accelerators and detectors) for studying the basic constituents of matter. The research conducted here has proven many theories, deepened our understanding of the matter, and given the world some of the most widely-spread technologies.
PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUTE PSI
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The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. It performs world-class research in three main subject areas: matter and material; energy and the environment; and human health. Thousands of world-leading scientists and engineers from all over the world are using its unique infrastructure to realize projects that would be impossible anywhere else.
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. It performs world-class research in three main subject areas: matter and material; energy and the environment; and human health. Thousands of world-leading scientists and engineers from all over the world are using its unique infrastructure to realize projects that would be impossible anywhere else.
FHNW
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FHNW is one of Switzerland’s leading universities of applied sciences and arts, actively involved in teaching, research, continuing education and service provision. It organizes one of the biggest start-up competitions in Switzerland – Swiss Startup Challenge – offering extensive business mentoring programs for highly innovative young entrepreneurs.
FHNW is one of Switzerland’s leading universities of applied sciences and arts, actively involved in teaching, research, continuing education and service provision. It organizes one of the biggest start-up competitions in Switzerland – Swiss Startup Challenge – offering extensive business mentoring programs for highly innovative young entrepreneurs.