Ready for Take-off?
If you want to implement your business idea, it is advisable to first acquire the necessary basic skill set and familiarize yourself with the various aspects of entrepreneurship. The University of Bern and various partner organizations provide training to underpin your innovative ideas with solid specialist knowledge.
This page is intended to provide you with an initial overview of the available training courses on entrepreneurship. For details on the courses and programs offered, please contact the respective providers.
Innosuisse Startup Trainings
Module 0: Get the Spirit
| Location: | online |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 1 podcast |
| Focus: | In this module for first-time entrepreneurs you will gain insight into the world of start-ups, learn from founder stories, and get introduced to essential tools. |
| Learn more: | https://entrepreneurship-training.ch/overview/ (scroll down for description) |
Module 1: Business Ideas
| Orgnaizer/Location: | Entrepreneurship Center / University of Bern |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 1 evening |
| Focus: | In Module 1 ‘Business Ideas’, interested innovators are inspired by successful entrepreneurs. In Bern, the primary focus is on pitching a business idea. |
| Learn more: | https://entrepreneurship-training.ch/module1/bern/ |
Module 2: Business Concept
| Organizer/Location: | Entrepreneurship Center / University of Bern and other locations |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration | bootcamp and 10 evening classes |
| Focus: | In this module you will gain theoretical and practical expertise in setting up and running your own business, including aspects such as financial planning, marketing and pitching. |
| Learn more: | https://entrepreneurship-training.ch/module2/bern/ |
Module 2a: Business Validation
| Organizer/Location: | Entrepreneurship Center / University of Bern |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration | 2 evening events |
| Focus: | This Innosuisse Module 2a. 1 "Pivoting the idea" revolves around the challenges of building a startup, emphasizing persistence, adaptability, and learning. |
| Learn more: | https://entrepreneurship-training.ch/module2a/pivoting/bern/ |
Modul 2a: Co-Founder Matchmaking
| Organizer/Location: | Entrepreneurship Center / Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration | 1 evening |
| Focus: | This Innosuisse module 2a. 2 offers a networking platform for startup founders, ambitious co-founders, talented professionals and people interested in startups. |
| Learn more: | https://entrepreneurship-training.ch/module2a/matchmaking/module-2a-1-co-founder-matchmaking-in-lucerne/ |
Module 3: Business Creation
| Organizer/Location: | Venturelab / different locations |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 5 days |
| Focus: | This model is intended for innovators with the firm intention to found a startup and recent founders. Specializations possible in Energy & Environment, Engineering, ICT, Life Sciences and Social Sciences & Business Management. |
| Learn more: | https://www.venturelab.swiss/Innosuisse-business-creation |
Module 4: Workshop Series
| Organizer/Location: | Venturelab / different locations |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 5 days |
| Focus: | In this module, you will receive tailored support from expert coaches and connect with fellow entrepreneurs tackling similar hurdles. |
| Learn more: | https://www.venturelab.swiss/Innosuisse-business-growth |
Continuing education at the University of Bern
Entrepreneurial Leadership (CAS)
| Organizer/Location: | Institut für Marketing und Unternehmensführung (IMU) / University of Bern |
|---|---|
| Costs: | subject to a charge |
| Duration: | 4 modules à 3 days, Thur-Sat each |
| Focus: | Testing of business model and business idea, implementation tools, strategy, and personal competitive advantage |
| Learn more: | https://www.unibe.ch/weiterbildungsangebote/cas_entrepreneurial_leadership/index_ger.html |
Translational Medicine and Biomedical Entrepreneurship (MAS, DAS, CAS)
| Organizer/Location: | Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine sitem-insel |
|---|---|
| Costs: | subject to a charge |
| Duration: | 3-4 semester |
| Focus: | Development of medical devices, access to industry and academic network ( possible as CAS, DAS or MAS) |
| Learn more: | https://www.sitem.unibe.ch/continuing_education/study_programs/tmbe/ |
Business Transformation (CAS)
| Organizer/Location: | Rochester-Bern Executive Programs / University of Bern |
|---|---|
| Costs: | subject to a charge |
| Duration: | 3 months (October, November & February) |
| Focus: | Strategic management, competitive advantage, transformation processes, new technologies |
| Learn more: | https://www.unibe.ch/continuing_education_programs/cas_business_transformation/index_eng.html |
Further trainings on entrepreneurship
be-advanced Challenge
| Organizer/Location: | be-advanced / Bern |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 3 months (3 workshops, coaching & a pitching event) |
| Focus: | Validation of own business case, development of value proposition, business plan and pitching in front of an expert audience, accompanying coaching |
| Learn more: | https://be-advanced.ch/startup/challenge |
bench2biz Workshop
| Organizer/Location: | bench2biz / online and Bern |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 6 days |
| Focus: | 9 sessions to analyze an idea or innovation; topics: intellectual property and patents, commercial value and marketability, competition, concept and business plan |
| Learn more: | https://bench2biz.ch/workshop/about/ |
Foundera Webinars and Workshops
| Organizer/location: | Foundera AG / online and different locations |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | depending on course |
| Focus: | Company foundation |
| Learn more: | https://foundera.ch/en/planning/webinars |
IFJ Courses for founders
| Organizer/Location: | Institut für Jungunternehmen IFJ / online and different locations |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 1/2-1 day |
| Focus: | Courses “In 4 steps to your own company”, accounting, business plan, insurance, law and brand protection (German or English) |
| Learn more: | https://www.ifj.ch/informieren/kurse |
Startup.ch Academy
| Organizer/location: | Startup.ch / online and different locations |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 2 hours |
| Focus: | Financing, business plan, legal aspects, accounting, insurance, taxes, spin-off process |
| Learn more: | https://www.startups.ch/gruenden/kurse |
Startup Board Academy
| Organizer/Location: | Startup Board Academy / online and different locations |
|---|---|
| Costs: | subject to a charge |
| Duration: | 4 afternoons |
| Focus: | Skills for board members of a startup or SME |
| Learn more: | https://startupboardacademy.org/upcoming-trainings/ |
Swiss Entrepreneurship Academy
| Organizer/Location: | Swiss Entrepreneurship Academy / online |
|---|---|
| Costs: | subject to a charge |
| Duration | 10 weeks |
| Focus: | Successful part-time start-ups, physical kick-off event, self-management, idea generation and business plan, product development, business management & law |
| Learn more: | https://www.swissentrepreneuracademy.ch/ |
Venture Challenge
| Organizer/Location: | Venturelab / ETHZ und EPFL |
|---|---|
| Costs: | free of charge |
| Duration: | 1 evening |
| Focus: | Entry into entrepreneurship for academics, validation of a business case |
| Learn more: | https://www.venturelab.swiss/Entrepreneur |