Beyond Venture Capital

In most startup ecosystems, «The VC Route» or Venture Capital Route is the only option presented. But many companies in industry often follow other more sustainable routes. This is a panel discussion on how these routes function. Whether you are an industry actor looking to expand networks, a startup looking for best practices, or a student interested in building a business, we invite you to attend this panel.

The VC Route is only sustainable in specific cases. It often includes high investments in return for company equity. The expectations include exponential growth, becoming “unicorns” and selling the company in the end. This route is neither suitable nor popular in many parts of industry.

Many Small & Medium Sized companies (which is most of Switzerland) and social entrepreneurship organisations follow more sustainable routes. Their business models focus on the longevity of businesses, building a relevant client base, and finding the right markets.

In this panel, we discuss these routes with three people in various stages of their businesses:

Ashoka Vardhan Manchala is currently UZH Entrepreneur Fellow. His startup focuses on the impact investment sector in Switzerland and provides decision-making tools for meaningful social impact. This builds on his research in History at University of Zurich.

Héloïse Le Masne is now leading the venture program & impact management at Brainforest after 13 years in building the impact entrepreneurship ecosystem in Germany and Switzerland through the Impact Hub Network (Berlin & Zürich).

Andreia Fernandes is Portfolio Careerist, entrepreneur and investor. She is the founder and CEO of Seabrand International GmbH, a consulting firm in Zurich. She also founded sexylittlebag.com, one of the first businesses here built on circular economy.

Time: 18 February 2026, 18:00-19:00 followed by Apéro