Innosuisse Entrepreneurship Training: the 2025 programme in Ticino

The Innosuisse entrepreneurship training programme designed for researchers students and anyone interested in developing science-based startup projects, equips participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses. From 2025, the number of courses offered in Ticino will increase significantly, thanks to the commitment of Innosuisse and the engagement of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI).

Through its nationwide training programme, Innosuisse, the Swiss innovation agency, provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and practical skills to launch and develop successful business ventures. The programme consists of several training modules that cover the initial stages of the entrepreneurial journey - from raising awareness to scaling a business – and is delivered in collaboration with selected and accredited providers across Switzerland.

Starting from 2025 and for the subsequent years, the training offering in the south of Alps will see a significant expansion. Innosuisse decided to triple the number of courses available in Ticino. The mandate for implementing the entrepreneurship training programme in the region has been entrusted to USI. Thus, the upcoming courses and other activities will be coordinated by USI Startup Centre in collaboration with SUPSI.

USI already has experience in implementing this programme as part of the “Switzerland Mitte/Central” consortium, composed of seven educational institutions. The opportunity to continue offering entrepreneurship training powered by Innosuisse complements and enhances other existing initiatives promoted by USI Startup Centre and aimed at fostering science-based innovation and entrepreneurial culture.

A sneak peek at the 2025 programme

Researchers, students and anyone interested in turning their innovative vision into reality will have the opportunity to make a head start in their entrepreneurial journeys thanks to three Business Concept courses a year offered in Lugano, Mendrisio and Bellinzona. Each course starts with a bootcamp followed by 10 thematic sessions that are led by experienced trainers that provide the participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to set up and run their future company. The courses offered in Bellinzona and Mendrisio will be primarily focused on specific areas: Life Sciences and Construction & Design. The next batch of Business Concept Lugano and Business Concept Mendrisio starts on March 4th 2025 and the applications are already open.

Besides the structured courses, the 2025 calendar includes “Business Ideas” and “Business Apéro” events, “My First Pitch” competition and a dedicated module on sustainability introduced in collaboration with Impact Hub Ticino, further enriching the programme’s offering, alongside a dedicated event focused on diversity.

2025-2028 outlook and programme updates

Compared to the previous years, Innosuisse has revised the structure of the programme modules and introduced new topics to address current challenges and participants’ needs. Module 1, Module 2 and Module 2+ will be delivered locally in different regions representing an initial touchpoint with the wider innovation ecosystem in Switzerland and support available to aspiring entrepreneurs, while other modules will be implemented at the national level.

Here are the new modules compared to previous years:

• Module 0 (online) offers an insight into the startup world through founder stories and introduces essential tools to kick-start the entrepreneurial journey.
• Module 2+ focuses on two crucial aspects: finding co-founders and pivoting from the initial idea to meet market demands.
• Module 4 features tailored workshops based on specific challenges, for instance, governance, financial planning, marketing, and growth strategies.

The expanded and restructured programme enhances the ongoing commitment of Innosuisse to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering innovation across Switzerland. With enhanced regional offerings and a forward-looking curriculum, the revised entrepreneurship training programme will be an invaluable resource for aspiring founders.