UniBE Venture Fellowship

UniBE Venture Fellowship

The Innovation Office at the University of Bern empowers students, researchers, and clinicians to turn ideas into impactful innovations for society and the planet. To support this mission, the UniBE Venture Fellowship Program equips entrepreneurial researchers with funding, expert coaching, and specialized training to translate their discoveries into viable products, services, or social innovations, thereby strengthening the University’s innovation ecosystem.

Project Background

Innovation fuels advancements in technology, healthcare, sustainability, and beyond. In a rapidly changing world, fostering a culture of innovation is essential for shaping a sustainable future. However, for groundbreaking ideas to make a real impact, they must be nurtured, developed, and translated into practical solutions. This requires not only research excellence but also the ability to bridge the gap between academia and the market, ensuring that scientific discoveries contribute to meaningful societal and economic progress. Ranked among the top 200 universities globally and in the top 40 in Western Europe, the University of Bern has an excellent track record in academics and research. However, much of this knowledge remains within academic literature, as researchers are traditionally trained to publish written analyses rather than commercialize their findings. As a result, many scientific discoveries with significant economic and social potential remain untapped. Recognizing the wealth of knowledge and expertise within its institution, the University of Bern is committed to transforming research into real-world impact by providing researchers with the tools, guidance, and network needed to translate their discoveries into viable solutions. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and an entrepreneurial mindset, the University of Bern ensures that innovations reach beyond academia and drive tangible progress, strengthening Switzerland’s position as a hub for research-based innovation.

Integration

Through funding, tailored workshops, and personalized coaching from advisors with experience in academia and industry – particularly in sales and business development – the Innovation Office provides researchers with a structured pathway to translate scientific discoveries into viable products and services. The Innovation Office at the University of Bern, established in 2021, supports the transformation of research into real-world innovation. It serves as the central hub for research-based innovation and academic entrepreneurship, helping students, researchers, and clinicians to translate ideas into societal and economic impact.

What You Achieve

Thanks to your donation, the elected fellow's salary as well as project-related expenses such as external training on entrepreneurial competencies or fees for participation in networking opportunities will be covered. In the greater context, your donation contributes to transforming research into practical applications which contributes to generating real-world impact with tangible societal benefits, addressing wicked problems through innovative and effective solutions, strengthening the University of Bern's capacity to invest in future cutting-edge research and knowledge transfer and fostering sustainable economic growth by supporting high-value businesses in the greater Bern area.

Financial Needs

Each Fellowship provides a grant of CHF 110,000. The total project costs amount to CHF 116,600.

Factsheet

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Picture Credit

© Innovation Office, University of Bern