STAGE UP

DO YOU HAVE A PROMISING BUSINESS IDEA?








Call for projects! We are starting the ninth edition of STAGE UP. Are you in?

Register now with your business idea for the Bern Business Creation Competition STAGE UP. We are looking forward to new, promising projects! The registration window is open until Fri, December 1, 2024.

You are unsure if STAGE UP is right for you and your idea? Then come to our inspirational event Pitch & Punch on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. In a relaxed atmosphere and with like-minded people, we’ll talk about pitching and, if you feel like it, you can practice your pitch (perhaps for the first time) in front of an audience: More info & registration

Participation in the competition is free of charge and is open to individuals or teams resident in Switzerland. If a company has been founded already, it must not have been more than 18 months ago, i.e. not before June 30, 2023. You can find the detailed rules in the terms and conditions of participation (at the bottom of the page).






REGISTER NOW

REGISTRATION








Are you curious about what happened in the previous year?
Take a look at the 2024 yearbook!


DOWNLOAD














The STAGE UP winners 2024 have been announced! The five finalist teams pitched their business ideas and the jury decided on the three podium places live – in front of around 200 guests.

From over 60 business ideas, these teams overcame several selection hurdles and convinced two independent committees. But they all deserved it – as the intensive jury discussion about places 1-3 showed.






The STAGE UP podium places




Design ohne Titel (13)


TightValve

TightValve is a novel surgical device for aortic valve repair. Today, there is no established and reproducible way to measure intraoperatively if a repaired valve is really closing tightly. The device offers the surgeon immediate feedback during the critical phases of surgery.

Team

Pascal Buchs
Dr. Silje Ekroll years
Dr. med. Emmanuel Zimmer
Dominik Obrist




Design ohne Titel (6)


Pathy

Pathy aims to simplify medical image analysis in histopathology. Their Software-as-a-Service platform provides AI-powered digital staining solutions that enable pre-screening of patients in urgent biopsy analyses, and assist pathologists in both diagnosis and research.

Team

Rina Mehmeti
Nhi Luong
Aous Khadhraoui
Oussama Ben Ghorbel





Design ohne Titel (4)


Kidemis

Kidemis produces a fish and animal feed ingredient based on fermented mycoprotein. The ingredient has both functional and nutritional properties, and was developed as a sustainable alternative for fishmeal and soy. The innovative bioprocessing solution allows for a zero-waste conversion of low-value agricultural side-streams into high-quality ingredient.

Team

Constantin Marakhov
Sean Wassermann







Design ohne Titel (5)


painbreaker

The aim of painbreaker is to offer people with chronic pain additional support in the form of an online course. The online course is the ideal complement to existing pain therapies and allows patients to work on their symptoms at their own pace.

Team

Sandra Zimmermann
Oliver Ludwig





Logo_CleanStent_2024


CleanStent

Obstructions of the ureter can increase pressure in the kidney, leading to potential kidney failure if left untreated. Current ureteral stents restore urine flow but their frequent clogging requires stent replacement every few weeks. CleanStent’s innovative technology eliminates this need, ensuring long-term stent performance.

Team

Pedro Amado
Dr. Cornel Dillinger
PD Francesco Clavica
Daniel Ahmed




Stageup_Kampagnenbild_Raster_12px klein

Press reports


















TOP11


The other six teams that qualified for access to coaching and workshops at the Elevator Pitch on January 30, 2024:










Design ohne Titel (11)

Taste Match App

The Taste Match app connects guests with restaurants that exactly match their preferences. With its advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence, it offers you personalized recommendations no matter where you are and who you are dining with. In addition, people can connect with others via Taste Match, share their favorites, discover new restaurants, but also follow food influencers.

Team

David Kilchenmann
Tobias Tröhler




Design ohne Titel (10)

Strömungselement Telp

The reduction of frictional resistance in overflowed surfaces is a well-known technical problem. With the development of the Telp flow element, it has been possible to influence the flow boundary layer in such a way that turbulence is smoothed out. Flow resistance, fuel consumption and consequently CO2 emissions are reduced.

Team

Matthias Reber
Urs Röthlisberger




Design ohne Titel (1)

CathNova

CathNova has developed a new platform for the design and manufacturing of smart catheters that offer improved performance and personalization. The innovative automation solution enables a significant reduction in production costs.

Team

Gerhard Kuert
Nishant Gupta
Prof. Dr. Thomas Niederhauser






Design ohne Titel (16)

Rhovica Neuroimaging

Rhovica Neuroimaging improves the emergency treatment of patients with increased brain pressure. Its patented catheter will enable precise, navigated insertion in a single pass and subsequent real-time brain monitoring of the patient directly at the bedside. This will save time and lives, improve neurological outcomes and reduce costs.

Team

Dr. med. Martin Hlavica
Dr. med. Thomas Rhomberg
Blair Fraser





Design ohne Titel (12)

VirtualAlpha

VirtualAlpha is a web platform that has been specially developed for schools to enable students to learn about the financial markets in a fun way. Students are given the opportunity to build and manage a virtual investment portfolio independently with play money based on real-time market data. VirtualAlpha provides real-life experience without financial risk.

Team

Samuel Bächli
Dario Ackermann
Andres Neff





Design ohne Titel (7)

Pump It App

Pump it App – The future of health coaching for fitness professionals and physiotherapists. Digitalized training plans, efficient management and maximal time savings. The innovative and intuitive all-in-one solution for the exercisers’ health. Developed by professionals for professionals.

Team

Dominik Robellaz
Sascha Tschabold
Fabian Hegg









Do you have a promising business idea?

The registration deadline for STAGE UP 2024 has expired. 66 business ideas are currently being evaluated by our expert panel. Who will pitch in front of the jury at the Elevator Pitch on January 30, 2024? We will keep you up to date in our newsfeed and on our social media channels!

The next entry period for STAGE UP begins in September 2024.


The coaching sessions will start soon!


Over the past few weeks, our expert panel has evaluated the 66 business ideas received and nominated 26 teams for the elevator pitch on January 30, 2024. This year, two teams achieved the same number of points, resulting in 26 (instead of the usual 25) starting places. You can find out more in our newsfeed.



NEWSFEED











COURSE OF THE COMPETITION




ELEVATOR PITCH


January 28, 2025

If your business idea is convincing in the pre-selection, you are admitted to the elevator pitch. Present your business idea in three minutes to our jury of renowned Bernese entrepreneurs. If the idea is convincing again, you will be invited to take part in the rest of the competition. Coaching sessions and workshops permitted.




AWARD NIGHT


MAY 20, 2025

With your developed business model you apply for a presentation of the top 5 in the final round in front of the audience and the jury. First place winners receive CHF 10,000, second place winners CHF 5,000 and third place winners CHF 3,000.
















After a tough competition, only the best of the best made it through to the next round and are allowed to take part in the Award Night 2024. After intensive evaluation and assessment by our experts, only 26 teams were selected from the original 65 projects. They then presented their business ideas in just a few minutes at the Elevator Pitch on January 30, 2024, qualifying twelve teams for our workshops and coaching sessions.

At the Award Night, only five finalists will be left to pitch for the prize worth a total of CHF 18,000. The tension mounts as we prepare for the big evening. Be there when these talented teams present their innovative ideas. This will be an evening you will never forget!


PROGRAM AWARD NIGHT




NETWORK






JURY


A high-caliber jury of well-known personalities from the world of business, with a track record from their own business activities and public commitment, independently evaluates the business ideas and models of the participating teams. In both the elevator pitch and the final round, the jury evaluates the quality and potential of the business idea or business model.



Daniel Bloch


Jurymitglied Daniel Bloch

Co-owner & Chairman of the Board
Chocolats Camille Bloch SA



Dr. Nina Hobi


NinaHobi-modified

Founder, Scientifc Director & Co-CEO
AlveoliX AG



Dr. Patrick Hofer-Noser


Patrick_Hofer-Noser_Portrait1

Owner & Managing Director
3S Solar Plus AG




Andrea B. Roch


AndreaRoch

Owner & Managing Director
Business4you
&
Initiator and advisory board member
Entrepreneur Club



Philippe Stüdi


Philippe Stuedi

Founder and Managing Partner


SME Equity Partners AG







COACHES


People with many years of practical experience and a connection to entrepreneurship support the qualified participants in the business management development of the idea into a business model. As sparring partners, they accompany the participants and are available to answer specific questions about the positioning of the project on the market and the next steps towards success.





TRAINERS


Experts share their specific knowledge and valuable tips & tricks on topics such as financial planning, legal matters and design in our workshops and are available in the evenings for a general exchange, specific professional feedback or further recommendations.



Cristina Zimmermann


christinazingg

Senior Manager I Assurance I Audit Service


EY



Fabio Studer


fabiostuder

Senior Manager Audit Services
EY



Kathrin Enderli


kathrin-enderli

Attorney at Law and Counsel
Kellerhals Carrard



Marta Gehring


MartaGehring

HealthTech business development and marketing strategist


sbg Lifesciences



Michèle Remund


michèle_remund

Attorney at Law and Partner
Kellerhals Carrard



Miriam Gantert


miriamgantert

Managing Partner
Superloop






EXPERTS


The experts bring practical knowledge and experience in start-up promotion. They support the jury in evaluating the business models and their feedback benefits the further development of the projects.



Anita Jörg


anitajörg

Head of Marketing/Communications
Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne AG



Anna-Leena Marti


AnnaleenaMarti

Entrepreneur, Coach & Expert Entrepreneurship



Anthony Smith


anthonySmith

Managing Director & Owner InnoSmith GmbH
Innovation Coach at be-advanced





Célia Rohrer


1600520008918-modified

Head of Communications
CSL Behring Berne



Christine Weber


christineweber

Owner & Founder
Venturize




Emanuel Roth


emmanuelroth

Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Youngpreneurs Association



Florian Kühni


web_IMG_7632-modified

Head of Innovation


Ypsomed AG



Guy Giuffredi


guygiuffredi

Investment Director
Serpentine Ventures

&

Board Member
Aare Ventures




Julian Liniger


julian liniger

Co-Founder & CEO


Relai AG



Manuel Fankhauser


manuelfankhauser

Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Arven Partners GmbH




Michael Sauter


Michael_Sauter

Head of Entrepreneurship, Member of the Management Board


ZID Bernapark AG

Co-Founder Swiss USAccelerator


Swiss USAccelerator



Michelle Studer


1678621940830-modified

Lead Ecosystem & Community


Impact Hub Bern





Philippe Wenger


Wenger-Philippe-CV Grey-modified

Partner Audit Services
EY



Pol Budmiger


Trainer_Pol-Budmiger

Coach
Innosuisse

&

Owner & Managing Director


Via Diversa GmbH



Ralf Müssig


Ralf Müssig 2

Project manager


Berninvest





Stefan Moser


stefanmoser

Leiter Marktgebiet Bern, Emmental, Oberaargau sowie Leiter BEKB fokus@kmu


BEKB



Thomas Bähler


thomasbaehler

Lawyer, Partner & Investor/Business Angel
Kellerhals Carrard



Tom Schlup


Thomas_Schulp-modified

Partner / CFO on Demand


FS Partners AG



Yasmin Wieland


yasminwieland

PhD Candidate and Research Assistant


Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH









CONDITIONS

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
PRIVACY POLICY


CONTACT


Entrepreneurship Center
University of Bern

Joëlle Prisi

stageup.imu@unibe.ch
+41 31 684 53 24








IN COOPERATION WITH




BFH_Logo_A_de_fr_en_100_RGB



Logo_beadvanced




SPONSORS & PARTNERS


GOLD SPONSORS & MAIN PARTNERS




VNTR_LogoClaim_yellow_RGB



Unbenannt



Logo_StandortförderungBern






SILVER SPONSORS




Logo_EY



Logo_CSLBehring1



Ypsomed_pantone




OTHER PARTNERS




Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne






Logo_EMCH



Logo_ImpactHub



Logo_GVB_Kulturstiftung_hoch_rgb_pos





SEF.Growth



KellerhalsCarrard_Logo