Open Innovation for Social Impact: Partner with AXA Switzerland to Enhance Social Inclusion

Kickstart Innovation and Axa have joined forces for the Beyond Services for Social Inclusion (BSSI) initiative as part of the Missions 2050 program. 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.

Open Call

Are you a scale-up or later-stage startup with innovative solutions to empower individuals and small businesses facing day-to-day challenges? Does your mission involve creating practical tools and services that address these challenges, foster social inclusion, and build a more resilient society? We invite you to collaborate!

Through the Beyond Services for Social Inclusion (BSSI) initiative, aligned with AXA's purpose "to act for human progress by protecting what matters" and the "AXA EssentiALL" strategy, we seek groundbreaking, scalable solutions to support solo and micro-entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, low-wage workers, and women facing financial insecurity in Switzerland. The BSSI 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.

Who Should Apply?

• Scale-ups and later-stage startups with proven market-ready solutions.

• Organizations ready to pilot and potentially scale their solutions in collaboration with AXA Switzerland, benefitting specific vulnerable groups.

  
  

What Are We Looking For?

We are seeking "Beyond Services" – solutions adjacent to insurance – that address the key challenges faced by our target segments:

• For Solo-, Micro-entrepreneurs, and Start-ups: Solutions tackling volatile income, financial planning, risk management, client acquisition, and access to legal/regulatory advice.

• For Low-Wage Workers: Services supporting financial literacy, budgeting, savings discipline, access to emergency funds, career development, skills training, and understanding pension benefits.

• For Women Facing Financial Vulnerability: 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.

• Cross-Cutting Themes: Solutions enhancing financial and legal literacy (especially for diverse groups) and mental well-being support related to financial stress.

Why Apply?

• Collaborate with a Leader: Partner with AXA Switzerland, a major insurance provider committed to social responsibility and innovation.

• Pilot and Scale: Gain opportunities to run Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) and potentially scale your solution within the AXA ecosystem or network.

• Drive Social Impact: Contribute significantly to enhancing financial resilience and social inclusion in Switzerland.

• Gain Visibility: Position your solution within a major initiative focused on building a more equitable society.

  
  

Application Process:

1. Submission of Interest: Provide a comprehensive overview of your company, your solution, its proven impact/traction, and how it specifically addresses the challenges of our target groups. Outline potential pilot project ideas with AXA Switzerland.

2. Evaluation: Our pane of experts, including AXA team members, will review applications based on innovation, impact potential, scalability, and alignment with the BSSI project goals and collaboration opportunities.

3. Online Pitching Session: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their solutions and detailed pilot proposals to the project team.

Deadline for Applications: 06.06.2025

How to Apply: Submit your application through our dedicated platform. Please include detailed information about your solution, relevant case studies or pilot results, and your vision for a pilot project with AXA Switzerland.

For more information and to apply.

Let’s innovate for social inclusion. We look forward to receiving your application!