UCreate3
Turn your project into reality
UCreate3 acceleration program takes place over one semester. It is designed for all members of the UNIL community : students, researchers, professors, employees and alumni. This bilingual and interdisciplinary program supports all types of projects. We specifically encourage projects with a social and/or environmental impact.
The program for this semester is complete and in progress. To find out when registration for the fall semester opens, subscribe to our newsletter.
Turn your project into reality.
UCreate3 acceleration program takes place over one semester. It is designed for all members of the UNIL community : students, researchers, professors, employees and alumni. This bilingual and interdisciplinary program supports all types of projects. We specifically encourage projects with a social and/or environmental impact.
The program for this semester is complete and in progress. To find out when registration for the fall semester opens, subscribe to our newsletter.
Join a stimulating ecosystem at the service of creativity and sustainability
UCreate3 encourages and facilitates the creation and development of your entrepreneurial project.
- Accelerate your entrepreneurial journey : De-risk your project and validate your assumptions by being accompanied by experts.
- Develop your skills in innovation and sustainability : Consider, in a balanced way, the economic, social and environmental impact of your project.
- Empower your team : Anticipate and solve your team challenges. This is the opportunity for you to acquire human skills in an entrepreneurial process.
This program is selective. A jury will select up 8 to 10 projects per semester based on criterias such as relevance of the issue, innovation / differentiation, impact and team. We therefore encourage team projects (2-5 people).
10 thematic modules
During 16 weeks and 10 sessions in the form of workshops, you will put your concept to the test by following a field-oriented course. Discover the program here.
A coach dedicated to your team
A coach will be assigned to your project for the duration of the program and chosen specifically according to the nature of your project. He will share his expertise, his advice and his network. Discover our network of coaches here.
A dedicated space on campus
The Villanova is a creative and collaborative space to which you have access for the duration of the program (and for the next 6 months). It is open 7 days a week. Discover the Villanova here.
Support up to CHF 10,000.-
Financial support of up to CHF 10’000.- per project is available to advance your project (market research, legal advice, prototyping, etc.). More information on the granting of this support in the FAQ below.
Access to the community
A network of entrepreneurs, experts, coaches and trainers who will allow you to be in touch with the regional innovation ecosystem. You will also be part of our UCreate Alumni. Discover the community here.
A certificate of participation
At the end of the acceleration program you will obtain a certificate of participation. For PHD students in life sciences, you have the possibility of obtaining ECTS credits following your participation. More information here.
Details of the acceleration program of spring 2023
The testimonials of some UCreate3 alumni
“Your help has been invaluable in overcoming the challenges we have faced and in enabling us to develop and structure our project.
Your expertise and mentoring have been invaluable to us, and we are grateful for the opportunities you have provided to meet with key investors and partners.
We also appreciate the advice and guidance you have given us to take our business forward.”
“UCreate3 is a safe space in which you have total freedom to make mistakes, without penalizing yourself financially.
The programme is intense and requires a lot of investment, but has led us to set realistic, achievable and realised goals. Thanks to the team that is always available and the well-structured programme, I can 100% recommend UCreate3!”
“In one semester, the Ucreate3 programme allowed me to take my project from idea to reality. The extremely energetic team at the HUB offers invaluable one-on-one support that allowed me to push myself and find solutions to the challenges I faced along the way.
As a young researcher with no previous experience in entrepreneurship, I could not have found a better starting point for my entrepreneurial project than UCreate3.
It is a programme that I would recommend to anyone who has an idea and is looking for the tools, structures and environment to make it happen.”
Conditions of participation and FAQ
To whom is the UCreate3 program for ?
UCreate3 is open to all UNIL students, from bachelor to PHD. The program is also open to all UNIL employees including professors, researchers and members of the PAT as well as alumni. At least one member of the project team must be an UNIL student, employee, or Alumni.
What projects are eligible ?
To be eligible for the UCreate3 program, the team must be composed of a minimum of two and a maximum of five people.
At least one team member must be a member of the UNIL community (student, researcher, professor, employee and alumni).
Projects in the creation phase, in the test phase, but not yet in the active commercialization phase are eligible. If a company or association has been registered, it must have been for less than 6 months.
How will the projects be selected ?
All types of projects are welcome regardless of the level of technology (no tech, low tech, high tech), especially projects focused on sustainability. The members of the jury include professors from UNIL, members of the HUB, and subject matter experts from the region.
The project selection criteria includes, but is not limited to:
– Differentiation in the sector/industry;
– The composition and motivation of the team;
– The societal and environmental contribution.
What is the selection process?
Opening of the registrations
Closing of registrations
Step 1: review of project eligibility by the HUB team (see above)
Step 2: pre-selection by the UNIL Entrepreneurship & Innovation HUB jury
Step 3: interview of the pre-selected candidates
Step 4: final selection of the cohort (8 to 10 projects)
Start of the program
The dates of the next call for projects will be communicated on the UCreate3 page once registration is open.
When and where is the program held?
All modules are held in person at the Villanova on the UNIL campus (access here), from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, unless otherwise specified (see schedule below with the exception of the 1st module).
The modules can be given in French or English (adapted according to the participants’ linguistic capacities).
Is financial support provided ?
Yes, financial support will be available and will allow you to test your products/services in the market, participate in trade shows, develop a possible prototype, or consult with an external expert. Each request will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the accelerator manager or a member of the HUB team. This line of credit may not be used to pay salaries under any circumstances.
How much does the program cost ?
The program is free of charge for the participants.
What are the program requirements ?
The selected teams must be present at all UCreate3 program training sessions and accelerator activities and complete all deliverables requested by the program management, coaches, experts or mentors.
Additionally, all project team members must comply with the general conditions and rules of the program that will be provided to each participant at the beginning of the acceleration.
Does UNIL take an equity position in the accelerated projects ?
No. The objective of the acceleration process is to support members of the UNIL community, not profit from any commercial activity that may result from participation in the UCreate3 program.
When can I use the workspace provided by the Accelerator ?
As a participant in the UCreate3 program, you will have resident status at the Villanova, which offers you 24/7 access to the Workshop area (Level 2) and the Ucreate area (Level 3).
All information will be communicated to you at the beginning of the program.
During the UCreate3 program, can I participate in other similar programs ?
The UCreate3 programme requires an investment of time and active engagement from the participants but is organised in such a way as to enable team members, especially students, to be able to carry out their projects while pursuing their studies.
However, participants are not permitted to register for or take part in other incubation, acceleration, or similar programs in parallel with the UCreate3 program.
In the case of a competition or grant opportunity, the project team representative must notify the accelerator manager (or HUB management) in advance in order to verify eligibility.