Venture Mentoring

Is my business idea a hit or a miss?

That’s the million-dollar question every startup founder asks. At Venture Mentoring, we will help you find the answer. Let seasoned experts be your guides to entrepreneurship and give your high-tech idea the day in the spotlight it deserves. With us, you get more than mentorship – we are your partner in innovation. 
Bring your idea and let’s discover its destiny together.

758
Expert consultations
186
Kickstarted ventures
75
Projects in support

Eager to begin?

Why venture mentoring?

Bespoke support

Define your business case step by step with experts chosen for their domain expertise.

Tailored for high-tech solutions

Meet specialists who empower your high-tech vision with extensive industry experience

Instant advice

A wealth of wisdom, skills and experiences at your fingertips, just a call away.

Thriving network

Tap into Basel’s renowned business ecosystem.

Just get started

No jury, no selection, no hassle, no bureaucracy.

Scope of the standard venture mentoring support

Our standard mentoring program is designed to swiftly define your high-tech innovation’s business case, offering quick access to tailored expert advice. We address high-level strategic questions in concentrated 2-3 hour sessions, connecting you with domain experts specifically chosen for each topic you need guidance on. For you the service is free-of-charge sponsored by our sponsoring foundation.

Extended expertise packages

Our extended expertise packages are designed for comprehensive analysis of key startup challenges and extend beyond our standard venture mentoring sessions. These offers are developed in collaboration with our partners and represent their dedicated support to our startup ecosystem. While offering additional options, founders have the freedom to access equivalent domain expertise through our standard support – ensuring impartiality and prioritizing your startup’s interests.

Patentability Analysis by Rentsch & Partner

Take advantage of Rentsch & Partner’s patentability analysis service, free-of-charge for our startups and valued at 2,000 CHF. This comprehensive service includes evaluating your invention for potentially patentable aspects, performing a four hours assisted patent search in collaboration with the Institute for Intellectual Property, analyzing the existing state-of-the-art to position your innovation uniquely, and providing strategic patent filing advice.

Also, join our IP Roundtable hosted by Rentsch & Partner. In this casual, one-hour virtual session, you’ll have direct access to experts for open discussions on intellectual property matters.

Shareholders’ agreement guidance by Walder Wyss

Benefit from Walder Wyss’ (no S) bespoke shareholder’s agreement service, meticulously crafted to align with your specific needs. This premium service includes developing a customized shareholders’ agreement, providing strategic recommendations to safeguard the interests of all parties, and ensuring a harmonious alignment with your individual case.

The shareholder’s agreement is the most important legal document that is crafted during the foundation of a company. This package is designed for startups that are about to incorporate or established startups that are amending their shareholders’ agreement.

Also do not miss the live workshop to be announced in our events space.

Tax, social security, and pension guidance by Exactio

Benefit from Exactio’s tax, social security, and pension guidance for our startups. This comprehensive service includes a thorough review of your current tax strategies, personalized advice on optimizing social security contributions, and strategic recommendations for pension planning to secure your financial future.

This package is designed for startups that are newly established in the region and need to address HR-related questions and pension benefits for their employees and Founders.
Also do not miss the online workshop to be announced in our events space.

What startup founders say

Partners

FAQ

Who is the venture mentoring suitable for?

Our venture mentoring program is specifically designed for high-tech startup founders. It targets entrepreneurs with potentially patentable innovations or scalable software products, who are planning to establish their business in Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, or Jura. This program is a perfect fit for those at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation, seeking to transform their visionary ideas into successful enterprises.

What is the scope?

The program operates on a unique question-by-question basis. Each specific inquiry from a founder is allocated up to two hours of expert attention, ensuring that the guidance provided is precisely tailored to their individual situation and needs. This approach is efficient, focused, and avoids the involvement in extended consultancy commitments, as we do not fund these. Our strategy is to offer targeted support for each query within a well-defined time frame. Recognizing the unpredictable nature of startup journeys, our adaptable budget allocation is designed to deliver critical support exactly when it’s needed most, providing a flexible and responsive resource to navigate entrepreneurial challenges.

How does it work?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, simply register and contact our team to discuss your innovation and the challenges you face. We will connect you with our ecosystem of experts, who are well-equipped to assist you within the scope of our program. Our structured meeting organization process is a critical component, necessitating thorough documentation to support the flexibility of our budgeting. We encourage regular check-ins and updates post-meeting to keep us informed about your conclusions and progress. This ongoing communication is vital for maintaining alignment with your evolving needs and ensuring the effectiveness of the support provided.

Terms and conditions for startup founders supported by venture mentoring

Terms and conditions for startup founders supported by venture mentoring

 

Governance and interference

Transparent decision-making: Regular updates on key decisions and progress.

Balanced stakeholder representation: Consideration of all stakeholders in governance practices.

Ethical management: Adherence to principles of fairness, integrity, and responsibility.

 

Benefit to the Basel region (BL/BS, and Jura)

Regional economic contribution: Positive contribution to the Basel region’s economy.

Sustainability commitment: Sustainable business practices in the region.

 

Legal and compliance

Liability: Basel Area Business & Innovation is not liable for the advice given by experts.

Confidentiality and data protection: Strict confidentiality of shared information.

Compliance with laws and regulations: Business activities must comply with relevant laws.

 

Operational guidelines

Meeting organization and documentation: Adherence to structured meeting process and regular updates.

Program changes and availability: Basel Area Business & Innovation reserves the right to modify the program.

 

Support and accountability

No entitlement to support: Support is assessed case-by-case.

Responsibility for decisions and outcomes: Founders are responsible for decisions and outcomes.

Feedback and continuous improvement: Encouragement of constructive feedback.

 

Compliance and review

Adherence to terms for continued support.

Non-compliance may result in withdrawal of support.

Commitment to regular reviews with mentors.

 

 

Terms and conditions for experts in venture mentoring program

 

Governance and advisory role

Principle-aligned guidance: Provide advice in line with the program’s principles and values.

Transparency in advice: Maintain transparency in the guidance and feedback provided.

 

Responsibilities and conduct

Ethical conduct: Uphold high ethical standards in all interactions and advice.

Confidentiality obligation: Strict confidentiality of information disclosed during mentoring.

Conflict of interest: Disclosure and avoidance of any conflicts of interest.

 

Suspension of support

Monitoring compliance: Experts are expected to monitor startup compliance with program terms.

Action on suspected breaches: Required to report suspected breaches and may cease support if a breach is confirmed.

Program participation

Active engagement: Commitment to active and regular participation in mentoring sessions.

Feedback and improvement: Provide feedback for the continuous improvement of the program.

 

Compliance and agreement

Agreement to uphold terms: Acknowledgment of understanding and commitment to these terms.

Right to modify participation: Basel Area Business & Innovation reserves the right to reassess expert participation.

 

By signing these terms and conditions, experts acknowledge their role in supporting startup founders while adhering to the program’s principles and standards.

Ready to begin? Drop me a line via email

Adrian Sprenger

Project Manager Entrepreneurship, Basel Area Business & Innovation

Email me

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