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    What’s next_Project

    [Translate to English:] What's next_Project
    • Call for applications What's next_Project 2026
    • Participants 2025
    • Previous participants
    • Impressions Founders Night 2024

    The incubator programme for entrepreneurial projects

    What's next_Project is aimed at ZHdK graduates and research staff who wish to develop projects with an entrepreneurial focus in the arts, design and education. The programme is supported by the Zürcher Kantonalbank.

    Which kind of projects can be supported?
    Innovative projects with a pioneering character that were started as part of a study or research project, are to be further developed with an entrepreneurial strategy and have the potential to achieve a positive impact

    The programme offers the following support:
    _Financial support
    _Campus Card allowing access to infrastructure in the Toni Campus
    _Mentor/s with relevant industry knowledge and experience
    _Coaching by subject matter experts
    _Peer-to-peer feedback from programme participants
    _Programme workshops on topics related to entrepreneurial thinking and action
    _Opportunities to network and to showcase projects

    For whom?
    Applications are open to ZHdK bachelor's and master's graduates from all disciplines up to a maximum of two years after graduation (graduation in 2023 and later) as well as current ZHdK junior researchers wishing to commercialise a research development and/or found an organisation.

    Applications
    Application deadline: 14 September 2025

    The complete call for applications with the link to the online application form is available here.

    Any questions?
    We encourage you to join one of the following online Q&A sessions to learn more about the programme and to find out whether your project is good fit.

    Thursday, 15 May 2025, 12:00 - 13:00
    https://zhdk.zoom.us/j/66244154885?pwd=uX3cJYR68gYwsGMS5kwDp8LQKZ6Gsz.1
    Meeting ID: 662 4415 4885
    Password: 272142

    Thursday, 21 August 2025, 12:00 - 13:00
    https://zhdk.zoom.us/j/66772696937?pwd=C8AuXXw6xAJsEw9wGXmEbh1vMQqFUi.1
    Meeting ID: 667 7269 6937
    Password: 281206

    Thursday, 4 September 2025, 12:00 - 13:00
    https://zhdk.zoom.us/j/61737554977?pwd=MozjwUcX3j94gUIaaCCbw4rWOL3IpN.1
    Meeting ID: 617 3755 4977
    Password: 104469

    Z-Kubator contact
    Yves Burgener, +41 43 446 20 87

    • Call for applications What's next_Project 2026

    Participants 2025

    Para

    Tabea Wschiansky

    Innovative rain gear for people in wheelchairs

    Tabea’s work features innovative outerwear specifically designed for wheelchair users, including an adjustable raincoat and a leg protector. Thoughtfully placed pockets and zippers ensure easy access and enhanced usability.

    More about Para
     

    Image: © Tabea Wschiansky

      ON FIRE

      Simona Boscardin

      Refreshing journalism
      ON FIRE is a satirical news show which aims to engage younger audiences by offering a humorous take on news and politics in Switzerland, making it easier for them to stay informed.

      More about ON FIRE
       

      Image: © Simona Boscardin

        Fresq

        Dzhuliia Kolodko

        Connecting museum curators with audiences through AI
        Reliq introduces dynamic media for a more personalized museum experience. By leveraging modern technology, Reliq redefines curatorial practices, enabling visitors to engage more deeply with artworks through background information and simplified navigation.

        More about Fresq

        Image: © Dzhuliia Kolodko

          Previous participants

          Participants 2024

          N'KO-LAB
          Klervie Mouho, MA Visual Communication

          KIM - Nachhaltige Kontrolle invasiver Mücken für urbane Gebiete
          Meret Jans, BA Industrial Design

          NEUNOI
          Narada Zürrer, BA Industrial Design

          Participants 2023

          Gaze Contemporary
          Joshua Amissah, BA Trends & Identity

          Strobo
          Susanne Barthl, Hanna Hodžić, Flavia Bienz and Jill Böhringer, MA Trends & Identity

          hooq
          Janick Zumofen (BA Industrial Design), Livia Zumofen and Beat Müller

          Participants 2022

          Flink
          Zoë Urand and Roman Engler, BA Interaction Design

          Maison Verte
          Christoph Ibrahim, BA Trends & Identity

          ARIS by ISYO
          Stella Waldvogel, BA Industrial Design

          Sai Bot
          Tobias Gutmann, MA Fine Arts

          Participants 2021

          Elements
          Timo Flury (BA Industrial Design) and Severin Meier (MSc Mechanical Engineering ETH)

          netzwerk wildi blaatere
          Johanna Benrath, Sarah Gailer, Fiona Schreier, Chloé Bourgogne, Lea Niedermann and Johanna-Maria Raimund, BA and MA Theatre

          Somebodyelse
          Eliane Zihlmann, Raffaele Grosjean (BA Industrial Design) and Pascal Felber (MA Game Design)

          Participants 2020

          5am Games
          Selina Capol, Martina Hotz and Aleksandra Iakusheva, BA Game Design

          Age Lab
          Stefan Zahler, MA Design

          Futuress
          Eliot Gisel, MA Art Education

          Participants in the pilot phase November 2017 - June 2019

          Ateliers Dätwyler
          Brigitte Dätwyler, Lecturer BA Art Education

          Null-state / Chaosflöte
          Melody Chua, MA Music Performance and MA Transdisciplinary Studies

          Sphery
          Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken, Game Design

            Impressions Founders Night 2024

            • Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK
            • Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK
            • [Translate to English:] Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Bild: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK [Translate to English:] Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Bild: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK
            • [Translate to English:] Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Bild: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK [Translate to English:] Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Bild: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK
            • [Translate to English:] Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Bild: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK [Translate to English:] Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Bild: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK
            • Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK
            • Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK Z-Kubator Founders Night 2024. Image: © Jennifer Anger, ZHdK