How it started
After years of working with the boards of start-ups and SME, our teams have seen how much the board of directors can impact the health of a company. The board will be definitively a key player in the success or the failure of a small company. We have also found that being a board member of a small structure can be more difficult than in a large company. It requires time and a broad governance expertise in many different aspects of a company going from finances, legal and crisis management. The resources are limited and time to make decisions as well. Sitting on a board of a startup or fast-moving SME is like running a Formula 1. Any decision will have a very direct impact on the company. Startup or SME will naturally experiment several crisis in a very short time. In 2015, together with EPFL Innovation Park, we decided to build a tailor-made program for SME and Startup boards.
The community
Over the years we have trained more than 2’000 high-level Board members and advisors on Swiss governance rules and the role and duties of Board members of fast growing, high-potential startups and technology SMEs. We believe our alumni can help accelerate the growth of many of them thanks to experience transfer and a better governance, which should enhance investor confidence.
Testimonials
I found this course extremely useful. Currently I am a member of the board of a Swiss start-up company, about to become a director in another one, and actively involved in investing in start-ups in Switzerland. However, my past professional experience was from the corporate world and I found what is said many times: a start-up is not a small version of a big company. In addition, I wanted to have a solid foundation on specific Swiss law and regulations.
And I found answers to my questions. The team of trainers is absolutely excellent. All of them bringing both the theoretical knowledge and the pragmatic experiences, bringing to life with concrete examples where to put the attention and how to handle potentially difficult circumstances.
In summary, the course gave me the tools to effectively support the start-ups in which I am currently involved.
The Board Academy has been very usefull for me. I had knowledge of the obligations as a board member before. However, it was great to have them lined up, put in perspective and be made aware on how to act on it and take on the role of a board member. I.e. act as a problem solver.
It was also eye-opening to be exposed on how the different crisis in the life of a start-up can surface in the board, how to detect them and what the appropriate actions can be. This part of the course was really hands-on and made the difference to me, as it went a lot further than ‘just’ the theory.
I began this course with already some limited experience on a Swiss board, but I still learned so much.
The fine line between legal and business is really very present in Switzerland, and it is the board’s obligation to walk that tightrope for their company. This class provides a real safety net to understand precisely how and when to make serious, impactful decisions.
Because it is geared toward the start up community – which is more fast paced and high risk than most businesses – the sense of urgency is always implied.
I have so much more respect for the boards of start ups, and the class facilitators were so competent that I feel the responsibility so much more. But I also feel more competent and confident than before.
Bravo for great content, wonderful facilitating (it was interesting AND fun) and superb organisation (Clara!).I am looking forward to taking on my new board responsibilities and becoming part of this community.
I can highly recommend the Startup Board Academy to anyone who would like to become involved on the board of directors of a startup company or SME. The course is very practical and goes into detail about the duties and risks of a board position. The trainers bring a lot of experience and the exchange with the other graduates is an additional enrichment.
A big thank you to the entire Board Academy team! A great immersive experience with board professionals. The basics are reviewed with many concrete cases and well-chosen anecdotes. The highlight is a “Meet the startups” session for a real life due diligence with entrepreneurs. Magical! This is a must do for those who want to understand simply and interactively all aspects of a board of directors (Swiss companies), while significantly expanding their network given the diversity of profiles that participate in this training!
Testimonials
I found this course extremely useful. Currently I am a member of the board of a Swiss start-up company, about to become a director in another one, and actively involved in investing in start-ups in Switzerland. However, my past professional experience was from the corporate world and I found what is said many times: a start-up is not a small version of a big company. In addition, I wanted to have a solid foundation on specific Swiss law and regulations.
And I found answers to my questions. The team of trainers is absolutely excellent. All of them bringing both the theoretical knowledge and the pragmatic experiences, bringing to life with concrete examples where to put the attention and how to handle potentially difficult circumstances.
In summary, the course gave me the tools to effectively support the start-ups in which I am currently involved.
The Board Academy has been very usefull for me. I had knowledge of the obligations as a board member before. However, it was great to have them lined up, put in perspective and be made aware on how to act on it and take on the role of a board member. I.e. act as a problem solver.
It was also eye-opening to be exposed on how the different crisis in the life of a start-up can surface in the board, how to detect them and what the appropriate actions can be. This part of the course was really hands-on and made the difference to me, as it went a lot further than ‘just’ the theory.
I began this course with already some limited experience on a Swiss board, but I still learned so much.
The fine line between legal and business is really very present in Switzerland, and it is the board’s obligation to walk that tightrope for their company. This class provides a real safety net to understand precisely how and when to make serious, impactful decisions.
Because it is geared toward the start up community – which is more fast paced and high risk than most businesses – the sense of urgency is always implied.
I have so much more respect for the boards of start ups, and the class facilitators were so competent that I feel the responsibility so much more. But I also feel more competent and confident than before.
Bravo for great content, wonderful facilitating (it was interesting AND fun) and superb organisation (Clara!).I am looking forward to taking on my new board responsibilities and becoming part of this community.
I can highly recommend the Startup Board Academy to anyone who would like to become involved on the board of directors of a startup company or SME. The course is very practical and goes into detail about the duties and risks of a board position. The trainers bring a lot of experience and the exchange with the other graduates is an additional enrichment.
