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 !
Would you like advice from one of our program managers locally?
You can book office hours (online or on site) with us!
Join our 12 week SINGA Incubator and launch your business idea in Switzerland
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 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. From the very beginning you will have access to our blended learning solution where you will find: access tools, videos, tailored content. 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 online
Check our “Who can apply” section. If you fulfill the criteria you can apply using the form up for Zurich or Geneva (~ 60min).
2. Join the next bootcamp
You will be invited to a full-day selection process where you will solve various tasks individually as well as in teams and get feedback from experts about your idea.
3. Convince and Get selected
The experts 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
Language
You have minimum a B1 level in German (in Zurich) / French (in Geneva).
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
You have a F-, B- C- or S-Permit.
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.
Origin
You are from a non-EU/EFTA/UK country or you have a project idea to support people with refugee backgrounds.
EU/EFTA/UK citizens can participate if they team up with the target group.
Time commitment
The time required for the 3-month incubator period is around 15 to 20 hours per week (this includes workshops, coworking, mentoring and time to work on your project individually).
Cost (individuals)
With SINGA the costs of the incubator depends on your situation:
- 250 CHF if you have a limited income
- 400 CHF if you have a job or a regular income.
Cost (INSTITUTIONS)
If you are supported by social welfare or an unemployment office, the institution should cover part of the program costs.
This contribution amounts to CHF 5’000.- per participant (including all incubator program offers and mentoring). Please put SINGA directly in touch with your social assistant.
The entrepreneurs' success is
what makeS SINGA's Impact!
Incubator program
PHASE 1 : ideation lab
The first phase of the incubator lasts 8 weeks, 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.