New Start accelerator to promote the start-up scene in Eastern Switzerland

The joint project established by the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland Innovation Park East and START Global is known as HSG Start Accelerator. This new funding program is designed to support national and international start-ups in the professionalization of their businesses, according to a press release issued by the canton of St.Gallen. With this initiative, the aim is above all to boost the economy of Eastern Switzerland.

The foundation was launched with the support of the canton of St.Gallen, which is keen to present itself as an attractive location for start-ups. For this reason, the cantonal government has provided funding in the amount of 5.4 million Swiss francs to the project, while a further 4.6 million Swiss francs is to be made available to the existing Startfeld foundation.

Three people with experience of the start-up scene in the region have been appointed to the Foundation Board. “With the HSG Start Accelerator, we are joining forces to promote our entrepreneurial talents with the aim of making a contribution to society and the economy in the region”, comments Prof. Dr. Dietmar Grichnik, Vice-Rector for Innovation and Quality, full professor of Entrepreneurship, Director of the Institute of Technology Management at HSG and Chair of the Foundation Board, in the press release. “Thanks to the HSG Start Accelerator, a tool is being created so that start-ups can develop the skills for international scaling and successfully implement their business models on global markets”, adds Vice-Chair Dr. Cornelia Gut-Villa. ce/ww