Twelve fast-growing startup founders join the second edition of the LeadiNNg to Scale Up program
Summary
In 2022, the longtime partner institutions decided to launch the LeadiNNg to Scale Up program to fill a gap in Switzerlands innovation support ecosystem. After getting their business off the ground and completing their all-important first funding round, tech startup founders need targeted support to kick-start the scale-up process, recruit talent, and get their company ready to grow fast, explained Patrick Barbey, Director of Innovaud.From what weve seen, in Switzerland there are many programs for early-stage companies, often teaching the fundamentals of pitching and fundraising, but we found few were targeted at ventures that had already raised money and had a product in the market with multiple clients and seemed poised for fast growth on a global scale, added Jim Pulcrano, Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management at IMD.Thanks to targeted support and courses by IMD professors and serial entrepreneurs, IMD and Innovaud are aiming to propel startups to scale-ups with even better support. Ten sessions spread over six months combine practical case studies with in-person experience-sharing from other entrepreneurs.For startups, the are numerous: they learn about how to scale from leading entrepreneurship professors at IMD, gain access to a network of successful scale-ups and entrepreneurs, become part of a community of ambitious founders facing similar challenges, and receive a certificate of completion recognized by IMD and Innovaud. "Participating in the LeadiNNg to Scale-up Program is a game-changer for SmartHelio as we strive to create a sustainable future through accelerating energy transition and combating climate change. With the guidance of seasoned professionals, we are building a solid foundation for scaling up fast and will not rest until we achieve our mission of making a significant global impact on the energy sector," said Govinda Upadhyay, founder and CEO of SmartHelio just before the programs kick-off.A program now opened to Swiss and international venturesThe overall goal of LeadiNNg to Scale-Up is to build stronger scale-ups that create jobs and boost the local economy.