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HSG Foundation
Dufourstrasse 50
CH-9000 St.Gallen
Switzerland

kontakt@hsg-foundation.ch
+41 71 224 77 66

 

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acrevis Bank AG
9004 St.Gallen
IBAN: CH06 0690 0017 9151 1031 0
BIC (SWIFT): ACRGCH22

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Deutsche Bank AG
HSG Alumni e.V., 78224 Singen, Deutschland
IBAN: DE35 6927 0024 0074 8491 00
BIC DEUTDEDB692

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Best Founders Programme

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HSG Best Founders Programme: Supporting Top Entrepreneural Talents

The HSG Best Founders Programme specifically supports young, talented entrepreneurs and scientists in the realization of their projects: with mentoring, practical coaching, a strong network and financial support – from the idea to the successful founding.

Every year, 10 promising spin-offs are founded at the University of St.Gallen. The HSG Best Founders Programme supports entrepreneurial minds at the HSG from conception to founding. HSG students are characterised by a high degree of initiative. The programme imparts all the skills they need as founders and entrepreneurs. At the same time, they make valuable contacts that open doors and tap into market potential. It's time to strengthen and support the entrepreneurial journey of our young talents at HSG with a seamless offering.

“We are building the ecosystem for the SMI, DAX or NASDAQ companies of tomorrow.”

202402 Adrian Locher
Adrian Locher
Board of Trustees since 4 March 2024, founder and CEO of Merantix
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Start Summit 2023 05

Entrepreneural Spirit

"The HSG gave me the knowledge I needed to start my entrepreneurship: management skills for daily implementation and application. Above all, it was the entrepreneurial spirit at the HSG, the access to business networks, and the door-openers that motivated me to become an entrepreneur."

Melanie Gabriel, founder of Yokoy and founder of the year 2023

250430 Sophia Haas Web

Open for Ideas

"Thanks to HSG, I gained access to inspiring personalities and was able to successfully present my startup at the START Summit. It was particularly encouraging that unconventional ideas found open ears. I am very grateful for that."

Sophia Haas, M. A. Business Innovation HSG, founder bloem

Bild Carmel Imhof in Zone Testimonial

Support from the beginning

"Through HSG, I received serious support for my startup at a very early stage – from initial coaching and access to a dedicated network to practical knowledge about entrepreneurship. The fact that my idea was taken seriously from the very beginning was enormously motivating and helped me to stick with it."

Carmel Imhof, Founder InZone

Our Challenge

Over 10'000 students are enrolled at HSG this year. After graduating, they are often immediately absorbed by the job market - missing their chance to start a business.

University spin-offs are drivers of innovation and economic prosperity. They create jobs and market-ready solutions for the future. They enhance the reputation of both the location and the university and strengthen the surrounding ecosystem. Ambitious founders are a key success factor for these spin-offs. HSG students, graduates, and researchers are distinguished by their high level of initiative. Their studies at HSG equip them with the skills they need as founders and entrepreneurs. At the same time, HSG provides access to a relevant business network. However, the vast majority of our graduates are currently absorbed directly into the job market. The path to entrepreneurship is still not sufficiently paved. This is where the Best Founders Programme comes in.

As of 2025
0HSG Spin-offs
HSG has a strong track record in supporting entrepreneurial talents. Building on this experience and expertise, it aims to accompany even more students and entrepreneurial talents on their journey in the future. Towards future-proof and market-ready business ideas.

HSG Best Founders Programme

The HSG Best Founders Programme specifically supports the realisation of the most promising entrepreneurial projects of our students, graduates and researchers: with mentoring, practical coaching and, last but not least, financial support. From the idea to the company formation.

Awareness
From Bachelor to Master, eMBA and PhD, our students are encouraged to delve into entrepreneurship.
Creation
HSG students develop ideas and market-oriented solutions in verticals. 80 ideas are developed annually as part of challenges.
Incubation
Development: The case is validated, and the foundation for implementation is laid. A grant of CHF 5,000 and coaching support the development. 40 individuals or teams are supported annually.
Spin-off
Founding: With a grant of CHF 100'000 and additional coaching, the best cases are brought to the founding stage. Up to ten individuals or teams are supported annually.
Awareness
From Bachelor to Master, eMBA and PhD, our students are encouraged to delve into entrepreneurship.
Creation
HSG students develop ideas and market-oriented solutions in verticals. 80 ideas are developed annually as part of challenges.
Incubation
Development: The case is validated, and the foundation for implementation is laid. A grant of CHF 5,000 and coaching support the development. 40 individuals or teams are supported annually.
Spin-off
Founding: With a grant of CHF 100'000 and additional coaching, the best cases are brought to the founding stage. Up to ten individuals or teams are supported annually.

Our young talents are able and want to be Entrepreneurs. The new HSG Best Founders Programme offers a wide range of support and motivation on the path to entrepreneurship. The most promising business ideas and entrepreneurial top talents have the chance to earn a fellowship that allows them to work on their business idea for several months. Ideally up until the fondation of their company.

 

  • Raising Awareness for Entrepreneurship
    From day one, entrepreneurial talents are inspired to pursue the entrepreneurial path. Selected formats also target school students who have not yet made their career choice. These formats include entrepreneurship courses and thematic events.

  • From Ideation to Innovative Ideas
    Business ideas have great potential when they stem from real market needs. The goal of the ideation phase is to establish HSG as a leading institution in ideation and the development of business ideas, including through collaboration with partners (especially companies). The focus of this second phase, so-called ideation, lies in the fact that it represents the first crucial step on the path to company formation. Key factors such as market pull and scalability play a central role. As a result, this phase will serve as an incubator for innovative ideas. Each year, HSG students generate 60 to 80 ideas in this process.

  • Incubation or Developmet of  the Best Ideas
    In this phase, initial concepts are refined into concrete business ideas. Students develop a solid business plan and receive support in further developing and validating their ideas. The HSG Best Founders Programme provides grants of CHF 5'000 per talent and/ or team in this phase, contributing to prototype development or external support. Throughout the process, the talents and teams are closely mentored by HSG experts. Up to 40 entrepreneurial talents and/ or teams are supported annually in this phase.

  • Company Formation (Spin-off)
    In the final phase, the most promising talents - the champions - are guided ideally all the way to founding their own company. This phase focuses on knowledge and technology transfer. A grant of CHF 100'000 per talent and/ or team provides the champions with the time and resources needed to prepare the company launch, further develop the product, and test it in the market. Particular support is given to HSG talents working in mixed teams with technical universities. A maximum of ten grants are awarded per year.
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Voices of our Donors and Funding Partners

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Proud Partners

"The Fondation Alcea supports people in realising their calling - a mission also pursued by the HSG Best Founders Programme. We are proud to contribute as a partner to its development and ongoing operation."

Die Foundation Alcea

Your donation makes the difference

Together, we bring our top entrepreneurial talents to success. For scalable business ideas, innovation and a strong business location. Thank you.

Noriware Jessica Farda Scaled E1716808265372Loading...
Hsg Stiftung 0070

Do you have questions regarding your donation?

I look forward to hearing from you

Michael Domeisen
Managing Director
+41 71 224 39 48
michael.domeisen@unisg.ch

Donors and Funding Partners
of the HSG Best Founders Programme

Thank you for your valuable support. You are helping to shape the entrepreneurial future.

Press Release

251205 Press Release Hsg Best Taklents Best Founders En

PDF - 232.67 KB

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