The most important ingredients for a startup are love and knowledge - both are available at the Swiss Start Up Factory

Yesterday I went to the official kick-off event (motto: “Our Time Is Now”) of the Swiss incubator Swiss Start Up Factory invited to their new premises near Escher-Wyss-Platz in Zurich. Jean-Claude Biver, the chairman of the board of directors of the watch brand Hublot, was hired as a guest speaker.

In his very passionate free speech, Biver put forward two theses: For a successful startup, love and knowledge are important success factors. Biver interpreted the concept of love very broadly: You need love and enthusiasm for your own idea, but also love in the sense of ethical action towards all stakeholders. In his opinion, knowledge through excellent school education and experience as well as “try and error” is essential to successfully running a company on the fine line between tradition and disruption.

In the last few weeks I was able to get to know the founders of the Swiss Start Up Factory a little better. Mike Baur, Max Meister and Oliver Walzer love startups. Max and Oliver are serial entrepreneurs and have already gained experience at their incubator Incuray. Mike, as a former banker, is well connected with investors and takes care of financing the young companies. Together they already bring in a concentrated amount of knowledge, plus they have Mentors committed to supporting the startups with advice and support. In the spirit of Jean-Claude Biver.

The Swiss Start Up Factory is currently incubating six companies consistently according to the Lean Startup model and is already reviewing up to ten business plans and ideas per week. I find it exciting that your own ideas are implemented, but young entrepreneurs are also allowed to pitch with their own ideas. The creators speak openly about the fact that a startup is about to undergo a pivot - this honesty is important and right.

I am very pleased that the Swiss Start Up Factory is bringing a breath of fresh air to Zurich and will be involved in the startup scene. Congratulations on your start and good luck!

Image: Swiss Start Up Factory