A fresh start for the new Boldbrain Startup Challenge 2021

197b121d4c3ed4b880a90a75423f4bb9.jpeg
The winner of Boldbrain 2020, voltWALL, receives the prize
The winner of Boldbrain 2020, voltWALL, receives the prize

Institutional Communication Service

18 May 2021

The fourth Boldbrain Startup Challenge - the three-month business accelerator program for early stage startups organised by Fondazione Agire and USI Startup Centre - was launched on May 18. Budding entrepreneurs with an innovative idea and who would like to gain access to the business accelerator can apply until 16 July. The cash prizes up for grabs total CHF 120.000 and in-kind prizes CHF 73.000, including a full scholarship worth 52.000 francs for the winner to attend the USI Executive MBA.

Boldbrain Startup Challenge is the Ticino business accelerator program for innovative ideas, which since its launch in 2018 has gained recognition and acceptance well beyond the cantonal borders by consistently creating important new partnerships that add to the program and the experience of participants. Boldbrain is part of the network of Swiss business accelerators and is aimed specifically at “early-stage” startups, and is open to all sectors of activity, without any preclusion, under the sole condition that the projects be innovative and scalable.

Boldbrain Startup Challenge is organised by Fondazione Agire, in close collaboration with USI Startup Centre and together with a selection of qualified partners who contribute to the success of the program, namely: the Department of the Economy and Finances of the Canton Ticino and BancaStato, the main sponsors who provide the six cash prize awards for a total of CHF 120.000; and a range of other supporting sponsors who provide in-kind prizes for a total of CHF 73.000, including a full scholarship worth 52.000 CHF assigned to the winner to attend the USI Executive MBA. In addition, the finalists, under certain conditions, can apply for the "innovative startup" certificate, which can be used for the tax benefits provided by the Canton for this type of company.

Boldbrain 2021 comes with a few new features that will make the program even more comprehensive, including topics that will be explored thoroughly during the three-month acceleration: business model and value proposition, legal, financial and intellectual property issues and, last but not least, the key lesson on how best to present your idea in front of a jury, audience or investors. The program will run from September to November with the final ceremony scheduled for early December at, for the first time, at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano (subject to the evolution of the pandemic). The program will be presented during two public events, held in blended mode (online and in attendance): on June 10, at the Lugano Lido; and on June 11, at the BancaStato Auditorium in Bellinzona. 

 

Information and registrationswww.boldbrain.ch

 

Sections