Vaud fosters Entrepreneurial Discovery

To expand a business successfully abroad isn't easy. Innovative ventures need the right product, the best possible understanding of their target market, a solid network and the required financing. This year, the Office of Economic Promotion (SPEI), Innovaud and their partners have come with a comprehensive offer for entrepreneurs active in SMEs, scaleups and startups set for growth. 

Tapping Emerging Markets

Earlier this Summer was launched the Seedstars Expansion Program. This 3rd edition is a unique occasion for early stage startups to meet the most talented entrepreneurs from emerging countries. After a competition organized by the Office of Economic Promotion (SPEI) and its partners, 10 startups will travel - free of charge - to attend one of the 4 Seedstars Regional Summits in Cambodia, Colombia, South Africa and Kazakhstan.

Thanks to its collaboration with Seedstars, entrepreneurs who foresee an expansion of their businesses on emerging markets will have access to unique insights related to Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Asia, and Africa via immersive bootcamps packed with mentoring sessions, group learning workshops, investor forums and regional events.

This year’s Expansion Program follows an appreciated 2nd edition that brought in 2018 eight Vaud startups to three Seedstars Regional Summits in Bangkok, Mexico City and Tanzania.

Diving in the USA Digital Innovation

Targeting more mature ventures, the Canton of Vaud organizes, together with S-GE, an economic mission around digital innovation, more specifically in the fields of life sciences, industry 4.0 and information and communication technologies. The mission is dedicated to all Vaud business leaders using new technologies in their daily activities or wishing to take inspiration from new innovative business models.

Organized from November 10 to 16th, this mission in Seattle and Austin aims to enable entrepreneurs from the canton to strengthen their innovation strategy, to establish new business relations across the Atlantic and to meet entrepreneurs, investors or American partners. To achieve this, the mission will offer a short and immersive stay, with a wealth of discoveries, through workshops, visits to companies (Amazon, Expedia, Boeing, Microsoft, LinkedIn) and iconic research institutes and centers, as well as meetings with decision-makers key to innovation.

Interested Vaud entrepreneurs can apply to the Seedstars Expansion Program 2019 until September 15th. Ventures interested to take part in the USA Innovation Discovery Mission can apply until August 18th to benefit from Early Bird conditions or September 13th at the latest.

(ES)