-Pulse Incubator HES

Lift designs -Pulse Incubator HES, the interdisciplinary incubator for the University of Applied Sciences in Geneva

HES-SO Geneva mandated Abir Oreibi, CEO of Lift to design the new interdisciplinary incubator aiming to identify and support the most innovative and impactful ideas from students, graduates and schools staff.

The HES-SO Geneva is the university of applied sciences representing a rich and diverse source of skills and knowledge divided into six faculties: Arts & Design; Business, Management and Services; Engineering & Architecture; Music and Performing Arts; Health Sciences and Social Work.

Bringing together these skills and allowing them to connect and co-operate in the most efficient and collaborative way on nascent entrepreneurial projects, while providing the right level of support is essential to boost the creation and successful development of innovative projects.

-Pulse Incubator HES has the mission to support high potential projects, promote interdisciplinarity, contribute to the local innovation ecosystem and collaborate with the local economic sector.

To support this ambitious mission, -Pulse Incubator HES has created a lively and dynamic ecosystem offering ressources, coaching, workshops, events and spaces to support the creativity and work of the individuals and teams that have been accepted in the program.

Two pitching selection sessions are organized in January and August to select the projects. A jury panel composed by entrepreneurs and representatives from the local innovation ecosystem will select the most promising ideas and projects.

Offering two incubation programs to better support entrepreneurs based on the level of development of their projects.
A Seed Program - Is my idea good enough ?

Designed for early stage entrepreneurs, this program supports the entrepreneur who still needs to test his ideas and assess the feasibility and desirability of his project. Does my idea have a market ? Can I build it ? What could be the potential sales channels ?

In this program, participants have access to a series of workshops and a pool of coaches to guide them in their entrepreneurial journey. A dedicated co-working space is accessible 24/7 allowing them to work, organize meetings and most importantly exchange with the rest of -Pulse community.

The seed program lasts one semester and following a pitch session, selected projects can access the growth program in order to bring their projects to the next level.

A Growth Program - How can I create value through my project ?

This program is intended for more advanced projects, for those who have already developed a first prototype or have already tested their idea and believe there is a market for it.

The program consists of personalized support with coaching sessions, mentoring sessions with experts, access to prototyping spaces and dedicated workshops. Project leaders and their teams have access to private offices as well as the coworking and meeting space. The participants can stay up to a maximum of three semesters at -Pulse.

" Open to the city, resolutely agile, dynamic and interdisciplinary, -Pulse creates value by facilitating the development of innovative projects and the creation of companies "

                                                                                                                               François Abbé-Decarroux, General Manager HES-SO Geneva

The Lift team was proud to work on this important project that included both strategic and operational elements such as defining the mission and vision, designing the incubation programs, the naming and branding and the space allocation.

Working in close collaboration with the Directors of the schools, we were also happy to count on the creativity and expertise of our partners! Aurelien Mabilat, an alumni of HEAD, has developed -Pulse naming, branding and graphic identity while we could count on YKRA agency expertise to redesign and transform the 700sqm allocated to -Pulse, ideally located in downtown Geneva.

-Pulse Incubator HES opened its doors on September 16, 2019, welcoming the first group of entrepreneurs. Caroline Widmer, the newly appointed Director of -Pulse brings an extensive network, experience and super energy to the place.

Abir Oreibi, joined the steering and selection committees of -Pulse in order to continue the close collaboration and follow up on -Pulse successful development.

Please meet, the first projects hosted at -Pulse!