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Open Innovation for Social Inclusion

The Beyond Services for Social Inclusion (BSSI) initiative Kickstart and AXA Switzerland seeks to empower and support people facing pressing challenges in Switzerland.

This flagship project stems from AXA's purpose "to act for human progress by protecting what matters" and the "AXA EssentiALL" strategy, aiming to close critical gaps within our communities. We see a need to provide enhanced support for specific groups often underserved or facing unique hurdles: dedicated solo- and micro-entrepreneurs navigating market uncertainties, hardworking low-wage workers striving for stability, and women confronting systemic social and economic disadvantages.

The BSSI initiative moves "beyond services" typically associated with insurance. We seek groundbreaking, scalable solutions (practical tools, platforms, and resources) that offer tangible support for real-life challenges. This means focusing on preventative measures, empowerment through knowledge, and access to opportunities that build financial resilience and foster greater social inclusion. 

 

By partnering with innovative scale-ups, we can co-create and deliver impactful solutions that truly make a difference in people's lives and contribute to a stronger, more equitable Swiss society.
 

Partner

AXA

Collaboration areas

Liquidity Management and Financial Planning

Pension and Retirement Planning

Income Support and Job Security

Addressing the Gender Pay Gap

Financial and Legal Literacy

Health and Wellbeing

Childcare, Caregiving, and Family

Community Resources and Networking

Market Entry, Expansion, and Risk Mitigation

We are looking for

Solutions tackling volatile income, financial planning, risk management, client acquisition, and access to legal/regulatory advice.

Services supporting financial literacy, budgeting, savings discipline, access to emergency funds, career development, skills training, and understanding pension benefits.

Tools and resources addressing the gender pay/pension gap, negotiation skills, support for female founders, access to affordable childcare, understanding legal rights (employment, divorce), and support networks.

Solutions enhancing financial & legal literacy (especially for diverse groups) and mental well-being support related to financial stress.

Submission of interest: Download the full list of collaboration opportunities above and, by June 6th, provide a comprehensive overview of your company, your solution, and how it addresses the opportunity of transforming treated wood waste into an opportunity.

 

Evaluation: A panel of jury experts and AXA team members will review applications based on innovation, impact, scalability, and alignment with the collaboration opportunities.

 

Pitching session: On June 26th, shortlisted candidates will be invited to pitch potential pilot projects detailing implementation, expected outcomes, and scalability.

Application process

Experts and Jury

Daniel Steingruber

Daniel Steingruber

AXA

AXAnauten - Open Innovation

Stephan Illi

Stephan Illi

Consulta.swiss

CEO & President

Dominic Rietmann

Dominic Rietmann

focusright

Consultant Business and Human Rights

Rolf P. Dreier

Rolf P. Dreier

AXA Switzerland

Customer Management Commercial Clients

Markus Popp

Markus Popp

mühlemann+popp

Founder & CEO

Francesca Krist

Francesca Krist

Women’s World Banking

Global Head External Affairs

Tobias Mäder

Tobias Mäder

AXA Switzerland

Head Customer Management Private Customers

Michal Matul

Michal Matul

AXA EssentiALL

Head of Digital Health

Kathleen Holmlund

Kathleen Holmlund

Giving Women

Managing Director

Oana Ria

Oana Ria

SINGA Switzerland

Regional Manager

Genita Bajraktari

Genita Bajraktari

AXA Switzerland

Senior Open Innovation Manager

Garance Wattez-Richard

Garance Wattez-Richard

AXA EssentiALL

CEO

Your team

Katka Letzing

Katka Letzing

CEO & Co-Founder

Tiziano Luccarelli

Tiziano Luccarelli

Sustainability & Circular Economy Lead

Markus Geissler

Markus Geissler

FinTech Expert

All our

verticals

Finance & Insurance

Based in one of the world’s leading financial cities, Kickstart is at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation in the finance and insurance sector.

Food &
Retail

Disruptive solutions tackling challenges in the Food and Retail sector to create positive impact on the current climate and health crises.

Health & Wellbeing

Innovative solutions that feed Switzerland's dynamic and rapidly developing startup landscape in the digital health sector.

Intrapreneur-

ship

We encourage, select and coach intrapreneurship teams of our partner companies to grow from prototype to a scaled solution.

New Work & Learning

Tackling the shifts that are influencing organizational work and the new cultures of learning by enabling innovative solutions and industry leaders for sustainable development.

Smart

Cities

Sustainable urbanization is key to successful development. Kickstart works to advance smart technology of businesses and cities.

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