Everything (or almost everything) you need to know about Impact Club
We're in the third edition of Impact Club! This page is constantly being updated and tries to tell you about the spirit, approach and goals of Impact Club. Scroll through the questions and if there is anything we haven't answered...find our contact at the end!
IMPACT CLUB
WHAT DO ZEBRAS HAVE TO DO WITH TICINO?
In the startup world, people often talk about unicorns, referring to companies with exponential economic growth goals. Unicorns are fascinating, but imaginary.
In contrast, zebras represent businesses that aim to have a positive social and environmental impact, as well as an adequate economic return. Zebras are real animals, living in groups and protecting each other by working together. We believe that Ticino is very fertile ground for these kinds of enterprises to emerge.
If you are feeling a little "zebra," then you are in the right place! For more information on "zebra" enterprises --> HERE.
WHY IMPACT CLUB?
Impact Club was developed out of two observations: there are promising impact projects in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, but they struggle to develop and evolve. At the same time, there are people who have an interest in supporting and investing in positive impact initiatives in the area.
Impact Club brings together investors and philanthropists who participate in the selection of promising projects to incubate, and, if possible, support them financially.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT CLUB INCUBATOR?
Each year, the Impact Club incubator enables a number of projects in the area to mature rapidly over 8 months by providing 1) an interactive learning path, 2) skills and resources tailored to the needs of each team, 3) a community, a network of people interested in supporting the positive impact of projects, and 4) work space in Impact Hub Ticino.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF IMPACT CLUB?
1) Impact Club offers an incubation program and a support network for impact projects to create sustainable solutions;
2) Impact Club gives investors and philanthropists close to the area the opportunity to discover and choose projects to support in Ticino;
3) Impact Club makes explicit and helps to measure the impact of each project;
4) Impact Club works with an inclusive, collaborative and iterative approach.
WHEN IMPACT CLUB LAUNCHED?
Impact Club is a program of the Impact Hub Ticino association, launched in early 2022. A total of 17 projects participated in the first two editions of the incubator, supported by 12 Impact Club members.
WHEN IMPACT CLUB LAUNCHED?
Impact is a change in a context, caused by the action of an organization. An impact can be positive or negative, intended or unintended.
Impact Club's goal is to make our area more inclusive and resilient to the social, environmental, economic and technological changes we already see. To do this we want to get into the complexity, get involved, but most importantly, look for solutions. When we talk about impact, we believe in it.
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We want every project to help make a difference, and benefit both people and the local area.
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Click HERE to find out the approach we use to assess our impact and that of the projects that enter the Impact Club program.
HOW MUCH DOES THE INCUBATION JOURNEY COST?
The pathway, services and expertise provided by Impact Club are worth about CHF 15,000 per team. Thanks to the support of the Migros Pioneer Fund in collaboration with the Mercator Foundation Switzerland, Impact Hub Ticino and the group of people and organizations belonging to the Club, this cost will not burden your team. Each team is asked to make the symbolic contribution of 600 CHF, which includes room and board for two people at the July 2024 retreat.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE INCUBATOR?
The Impact Club incubation track is for for-profit and nonprofit positive-impact entrepreneurial projects. To be considered by the jury, projects must have three minimum requirements:
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1) be based in Italian-speaking Switzerland or the neighboring pre-Alpine area;
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2) also have a positive impact in Italian-speaking Switzerland;
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3) have a team of at least two people.
AT WHAT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT SHOULD THE PROJECT BE?
Impact Club targets projects at different stages of maturity. In our journey we are able to include from structured, mature ideas (with defined impact and market assumptions) to existing projects that feel the need to restructure or change impact and market assumptions. Regardless of the stage of development, it is critical that there is a commitment from the entire team to grow and develop their project in a serious and professional manner.
WHAT ARE THE THEMATIC AREAS OF INTEREST?
The incubator is open to any project that has or wants to have a positive and explicit social and environmental impact in Italian-speaking Switzerland and the pre-Alpine area. Impact Club is agnostic to a particular thematic focus because it welcomes projects from a wide range of sectors and areas of interest. This means that it is not limited or constrained to a single area of activity, but is open to all ideas and initiatives that aim to generate a positive impact in the area. This nature allows our incubator to provide an inclusive and diverse environment, promoting collaboration and innovation among projects from different backgrounds. In this way, Impact Club provides fertile ground for the development of creative and sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges.
CAN A NONPROFIT ALSO PARTICIPATE?
Yes. The incubation track is open to for-profit and nonprofit projects. Non-for-profit projects must expressly share an intention to professionalize and develop a business model that is also economically sustainable.
DO WE NEED A TEAM?
Yes, it is critical that your project is at a stage of development whereby it is led by a team of at least two people who will commit to participate throughout the incubation process.
HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD BE INVESTED IN THE INCUBATION PROCESS?
Each project is at a different stage of development, with different needs and pace of learning. The minimum time each person should devote, in addition to the time they already devote to their project, is 6 hours per week (or 1 hour per day...with Sundays off), from September to January. Some projects, especially those in more embryonic stages of development, will need to consider investing at least 12 hours per week (or 2 hours per day). This commitment includes the guided learning path, participation in online and in-person activities provided in the program. In the initial assessment phase, the Impact Club team will clarify this further with each team. Yes, we know, it's a long time, but don't you also want to see your project come to fruition, grow and strengthen and become no longer a part-time gig, but the reason you get up in the morning? Let's go for it!
HOW AND BY WHEN SHOULD THE APPLICATION BE SUBMITTED?
You can nominate your project for the third edition of the incubator from Feb. 29 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 7. To apply, simply fill out the dedicated form on the page www.impactclub.ch.
WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO SELECT THE PROJECTS?
Yes, of course! Throughout the open call period you will be able to participate in one of the 30' informational webinars (find registration at this link). The webinar dates are: Wednesday, March 6 at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 12 at 5 p.m., Thursday, March 21 at 3 p.m., and Wednesday, April 3 at 5 p.m.
You can also meet the Impact Club team informally every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in Impact Hub Ticino in Lugano (coffee and croissants provided!). Announce yourself at zebra@impactclub.ch
WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO SELECT THE PROJECTS?
In addition to the minimum criteria, the selection criteria will draw on the five dimensions of Impact as defined by the Impact Management Project collective, the potential for impact, the feasibility and relevance of the project, and the composition of the team. In particular, considerable weight will be given to the team's mindset and soft skills during the selection phase.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF SELECTION?
The selection process lasts 8 weeks and takes place in 4 distinct stages:
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1) Based on the information provided through the application form, the Impact Club team will select a number of projects based on the eligibility criteria above and, of course, based on the clarity and truthfulness of the information provided;
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2) These projects will be asked to submit a one-minute video presenting the project and any supporting documents;
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3) Some of these will then be invited for a follow-up interview;
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4) The last step involves a jury session (the people who are members of the club) who will select the teams invited to participate in the incubator.
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HOW LONG DOES THE SELECTION PROCESS TAKE? WHEN DO I GET A RESPONSE?
The selection process takes 8 weeks. You will receive a final response by the end of May.
HOW MANY PROJECTS ARE ACCEPTED?
Each year we choose those projects that we think will benefit most from our incubation path. We have no minimum or maximum limit. In the first two years, we accompanied 17 projects, including five nonprofits.
THE INCUBATOR
HOW DOES THE INCUBATOR TAKE PLACE?
The incubator offers a hybrid pathway of augmented education divided into 6 modules. Before and after the in-person sessions, each module is preceded by teaching materials and online exercises to be completed either individually or with your team. Meetings are scheduled with some of the teams from previous editions, interactions with citizens during the Agora, and at least four pitch sessions to meet with investors, investors, philanthropists, corporations, and foundations.
The Impact Club team follows each team throughout the course through weekly check-ins. Teams will progress to the next module after meeting the goals of the previous module.
During the course, teams will be able to participate in optional in-depth meetings offered by Impact Hub Ticino, and will have access to our network of help desks and mentors.
WHY DO WE START WITH A RETREAT?
The retreat, scheduled this year on July 5 and 6, 2024, lays the foundation for the entire course. Each year, teams pre-selected for the new edition and teams from past editions participate in the retreat. The goal is to get to know each other in an informal setting, listen to testimonials from teams that have participated in past editions, and establish an atmosphere of trust and a collaborative spirit among people and teams.
During these two days, immersed in nature, we will work on our personal alignment by devoting ourselves to discovering our impactful goals, and those we want to focus on during the incubation journey.
The location of the retreat will be revealed in March.
WHERE DO THE MEETINGS OF THE DIFFERENT MODULES TAKE PLACE?
Impact Club's in-person meetings take place in Lugano at Via Ciseri 3, in Impact Hub Ticino's coworking spaces.
WHEN ARE THE FORMS?
On the Impact Club webpage you will find all the dates. The modules are held mainly on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For modules 1 and 6 we will also meet on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
ON WHAT WILL WE WORK ON DURING THE INCUBATOR?
During the incubation process you will work on your personal why, project impact hypothesis, value proposition, business model and communication, sales and branding strategy. You will also develop a roadmap with impact and financial metrics, financial strategy, three-year budget and possibly a financial ask. Eventually, you will focus on your organizational model and governance. The for-profit projects that will be at an appropriate stage of development will be accompanied in defining their evaluation. At the end of the incubator, you will have elaborated your business plan, three-year budget with associated ask and business deck.
HOW WILL OUR PROJECT BE AFTER THE INCUBATOR?
By the end of the incubation period, your team will have (also):
1) discovered their why and defined clear individual, team and project impact goals that you will use as a driving force to make their project flourish;
2) integrated impact into your business model and narrative;
3) developed an appropriate and sustainable business model;
4) developed a solid and realistic roadmap and development plan for the next 3 years;
5) started working on governance and organizational model.
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SHOULD WE GIVE SHARE TO IMPACT CLUB?
No, Impact Hub Ticino or Impact Club do not ask for participation in incubated projects.
IN WHICH LANGUAGE WILL WE SPEAK?
The main language is Italian. Some of the documentation and content will be in English. Teams will be asked to make pitches in both Italian and English.
PROJECTS RECEIVE THE SAME SUPPORT?
No. Each team benefits from a program in augmented learning that aims to develop and strengthen their project specifically. The course, alternating between digital, individual and plenary moments, offers personalized support with specific objectives adapted to their needs.
CAN WE WORK FROM IMPACT HUB TICINO DURING THE INCUBATOR?
Of course! Impact Hub Ticino will be your home for the entire incubation journey and hopefully beyond! In fact, each team will receive two nomad memberships (worth 360CHF/month each), which will give you unlimited access to our spaces and active participation in our community of changemakers! In addition, upon completion, you will receive our Community membership for 12 months.
AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY ARE THERE ANY AWARDS OR FUNDING?
Impact Club is not a prize trail or an investment fund. We do not guarantee any investment in the projects. However, one of our goals is to facilitate contact between possible investors, investors, companies and people active in philanthropy with project teams. We believe that in order to invest in a team, one must first meet each other on a human level. That is why during the course we offer informal opportunities to meet with people who are part of the Club, in addition to classic pitches. If your interest is only to get access to capital, this is definitely not the right incubator for you. ;)
IS THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF OUR PROJECT GUARANTEED?
Yes, both during the selection period and throughout the incubation period the Impact Club team, the people in the Club, and the projects participating in the incubator are held to confidentiality.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE INCUBATION COURSE?
Once the incubator modules are successfully completed, teams will be invited to present their project at at least four pitching events. If there is interest from Impact Club people, the Impact Club team will be able to facilitate the funding process. Teams that receive funding from one or more of the club people will be accompanied by the Impact Club team for 12 months to develop a system for measuring their impact, at a cost of CHF1,200/year.
A CLUB FOR INVESTORS, FOUNDATIONS AND PHILANTHROPISTS
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF IMPACT CLUB?
Members of Impact Club are individuals, families, and foundations that have an interest in supporting the growth and development of impact projects in our territory.
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Since 2024, a second Club has been created that can be accessed by companies, trustees, banks and family offices in the area who want to approach the issues of impact investing, venture philanthropy and sustainability in general.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF THE CLUB?
Being part of the Club as an individual, family, foundation or company means first of all contributing network, expertise and possibly capital to the development of an impact ecosystem in our area. Those involved, through their philanthropic and entrepreneurial experience, support the Impact Club team in the annual selection of projects and actively participate in the incubation process.
This involvement goes beyond financial support: it results in mentoring, contacts and possibly additional direct financial support for the selected projects. At the end of the incubation journey, dedicated events are organized to facilitate the connection between the Club and the projects, creating concrete opportunities for support and collaboration.
WHY WOULD A COMPANY JOIN AN IMPACT CLUB?
Since 2024 Impact Club has offered companies in our area a dedicated environment for discussion and action regarding impact investing and philanthropy. This includes a pitch night for corporate members, a dedicated pitch night for their team or clientele, 4h impact design workshop with the Impact Hub Ticino team and the opportunity to attend the CEO dinner co-organized with Kickstart Zurich.
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Impact Club is the ideal venue for companies eager to increase their positive impact on our region.
HOW DO I JOIN THE CLUB?
Write to carlotta.zarattini@impacthub.net ! We would love to meet with you, to get to know each other and talk about how we try to make a positive impact on our local area every day.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION WE DIDN'T ANSWER?
Help us to improve! Write to catie.burlando@impacthub.net