The SINGA incubator is designed specifically for people with refugee and migrant experiences who want to start their own business in Switzerland. SINGA runs a two phase incubator program in Zurich and Geneva. Let’s start with your project !
Join our SINGA incubator
Follow our selection process to register 1 of 4
Welcome to our incubator !
Phase 1 will lead you to analyze your motivation, validate your idea and present your business feasibility!
During the phase 2, you will consolidate your idea and learn to communicate it!
3 of 4 Find a match with a mentor !Our expert offer individual support for your specific needs. 4 of 4
Do you want to start your own business in Switzerland?
If you meet the application criteria, you will be invited to a full-day selection process and receive feedback from experts. The selection criteria are based on entrepreneurial thinking, motivation and teamwork.
Phase 1 of the incubator: Analyze your motivation, test, validate and convince us of the feasibility of your idea!
The first phase of the incubator lasts one and a half months, during which interactive workshops and coworking sessions take place every two weeks. Already in this phase you will be accompanied by a mentor.
Phase 2 of the Incubator: Consolidate your idea and learn to communicate it!
The second phase of the incubator lasts two and a half months, during which interactive workshops and coworking sessions take place every two weeks, in which you further develop your product or service and prepare the launch of your company/project. At SINGA Factory, you will also participate in the mentoring program in parallel.
Get individual support for your specific needs!
Over a period of at least six months (parallel to the Incubator and two months beyond), each participant is accompanied by an expert who offers individual support at eye level and shares its (professional) network.
Selection process
1. Apply
Check our “Who can apply” section. If you fulfill the criteria you can apply using the form below for Zurich or Geneva (~ 60min).
2. Convince
You will be invited to a full-day selection process (Bootcamp) where you will solve various tasks individually as well as in teams and get feedback from experts about your idea.
3. Get selected
The jury members select the participants in cooperation with the SINGA team and inform you of their decision. The selection criteria are based on entrepreneurship, motivation and teamwork.
Who can apply
Origin
People from non-EU/EFTA/UK countries or with a project idea to support people with refugee backgrounds.
EU/EFTA/UK citizens can participate if they team up with the target group.
Language
Minimum a B1 level in German (in Zurich) / French (in Geneva) is necessary.
If you do not speak the local language but speak English at a B1 or higher level, you can participate, but content is often provided in the local language.
Permit
People with a F-, B- C- or S-Permit can take part.
Unfortunately, in Switzerland people with N-permit are not allowed to found a business, but could join the incubator if they have team members with the mentioned permits or with Swiss passport.
Time commitment
The required time commitment for the 4 months of the incubator is around 10 – 12 days per month.
In alternation, the weeks look like this:
One week: 18 hours (~3 days) of workshops and coworkings
The other week: 6-8 hours of individual e-learning with videos and training material plus 4 hours of meetings with experts and/or your mentor.
Cost (Participants)
With SINGA the costs of the incubator depends on your situation:
Administration fees: CHF 100.-
+ CHF 50.-/month for limited income or CHF 100.-/month for regular income.
Cost (INSTITUTIONS)
If you are supported by social welfare or an unemployment fund, the institution should pay for the program costs.
The total cost of the program (including all incubator program offers, mentoring and SINGA Business) is CHF 8’500.- per participant. If this amount cannot be fully covered, SINGA can find a solution with the institution.
The entrepreneurs' success is
what makeS SINGA's Impact!
Incubator program
PHASE 1 : ideation lab
The first phase of the incubator lasts one and a half months, during which interactive workshops and coworking sessions take place every two weeks. Already in this phase you will be accompanied by a mentor.
1. Analyze
2. Validate
For a little more than a month you will test and research the feasibility of your business/project idea through different tools and methods in workshops, coworking sessions and individual working time.
3. Presentate
PHASE 2 : SINGA FACTORY
The second phase of the incubator lasts two and a half months, during which interactive workshops and coworking sessions take place every two weeks, in which you further develop your product or service and prepare the launch of your company/project. At SINGA Factory, you will also participate in the mentoring program in parallel.
1. Consolidate
To effectively consolidate your business/project idea, you will receive tools and methods to work on your communication strategy and branding.
2. Review
Together with your mentor and experts you will continue to work out your financial strategy in workshops and individual sessions and review how your product/service should be priced.
3. Communicate
The final section of the program will focus on legal aspects and which legal form is right for you. You will also hone your pitching skills and learn how to communicate and present your idea to different audiences.
Over a period of at least six months (parallel to the Incubator and two months beyond), each participant is accompanied by an expert who offers individual support at eye level and shares its (professional) network.
1. Get a match
Together with SINGA, your needs will be defined and you will be connected with a suitable mentor. In a first meeting you will define goals, results and the way of working together.
2. Meet
During six months, you will have regular meetings (at least twice a month) with your mentor who supports you strategically, gives you inputs and connects you with a (professional) network.
3. Analyse
In the remaining two months after the incubator you analyze together with your mentor:in the next steps regarding demand, implementation and establishment of your business/project idea.
