Overview
SwissVC is a closed community of active venture capital professionals investing in Switzerland. To cultivate a space where members can learn from and support each other, we maintain clear eligibility standards and vet all applicants before admission.
Membership is tied to your professional role. If you leave or change roles, your membership status is reviewed accordingly. Admission also requires a referral from a current SwissVC member in good standing. We take community curation seriously.
01 — Firm
Your firm must be an active venture capital investor
This community is for professionals at venture capital firms pursuing a VC investment strategy, equity investments in a diversified portfolio of private companies, with the primary objective of financial returns.
Your firm must be focused on deploying the majority of its capital in direct equity investments in private companies. Exceptions may be made for growth equity or private equity firms whose strategy closely aligns with venture investing.
Your firm must be actively deploying capital. We do not accept applicants from funds that have not yet made a first close or that have fewer than three active portfolio investments from a formal fund entity. First-time fund applicants must have closed their fund prior to applying.
We are stage and sector agnostic. SwissVC members invest across early and growth stages, in technology, healthcare, deep tech, climate, fintech, and more. We welcome impact and ESG-focused funds provided their investment thesis is primarily financially driven.
The following firm types do not qualify:
- Government-affiliated or economic development funds whose primary mandate is regional capital allocation rather than financial returns
- Startup accelerators or incubators, including affiliated funds that only invest in program participants at nominal amounts
- Corporate venture teams operating primarily as internal innovation groups or scouts without a dedicated external investment mandate
- Angel syndicates, rolling funds, or crowdfunding platforms
- Firms whose investment scope is limited to their own current or prospective clients
Venture studios may qualify if they launch ventures with the goal of transferring them to external management, co-invest with outside capital, and retain a long-term minority equity stake. Admission is reviewed case by case.
02 — Individual
You must be a full-time professional at a qualifying firm
Membership is granted based on your full-time professional affiliation. We do not extend membership to interim executives, part-time team members, advisory operating partners, consultants, interns, EIRs, or similar roles.
Your role must be publicly verifiable, on your firm's team page, a press release, or an equivalent third-party source. If you have recently joined a firm and your role has not yet been publicly announced, please wait until it is before applying.
We accept professionals in roles across investment and firm operations. Your application will be reviewed in the context of your firm's activity and your involvement in the investment process.
All applicants must be referred by a current SwissVC member in good standing. Your referrer will be asked to confirm your affiliation and vouch for your professional conduct. If you do not yet know a member, you may request an introduction via hello@swissvc.ch.
If you are no longer actively employed at the firm tied to your membership, your membership becomes inactive. If you join a new qualifying firm before the end of your billing cycle, the remaining duration can be transferred. You receive a 3-month alumni period if you leave the industry entirely.
03 — Freelancers & consultants
Eligibility for independent VC professionals
Individuals working as freelancers or consultants supporting multiple VC firms may apply under the following conditions:
- 01 You must have been employed full-time at a qualifying venture capital firm for at least 12 months within the last five years.
- 02 You must have held approved SwissVC membership in good standing during that period for at least six months.
- 03 You must be actively retained by at least two qualifying venture capital firms as an ongoing client at the time of application.
- 04 Your work for VC clients must constitute a full-time-equivalent commitment focused on VC-relevant activities.
- 05 Under no circumstances may you use the community to promote your consulting or freelance services. Direct or indirect solicitation will result in immediate and permanent removal.
04 — Code of conduct
Standards that apply to all members
All members are expected to maintain a professional and respectful standard in all community interactions, online, at events, and in private communications connected to the community. SwissVC is a curated, closed network; behaviour that undermines that environment is taken seriously.
We expect members to:
- Maintain a professional and civil tone, with welcoming and inclusive language
- Contribute generously, share knowledge and experience openly
- Respect differing viewpoints and levels of experience
- Protect sensitive information and honour confidentiality obligations
- Refrain from self-promotion, solicitation, or promoting portfolio companies or vendors without disclosure
- Ensure all posted content complies with applicable laws, including copyright and NDA obligations
Harassment in any form is not acceptable. This includes discriminatory language, personal attacks, unwelcome advances, publishing private information, and any conduct that would be considered inappropriate in a professional setting. Violations should be reported to the SwissVC board.
We operate a three-strike system for minor breaches. Severe violations, including spam, solicitation, or harassment, result in immediate removal. All reports are treated confidentially.
05 — Termination
How memberships end
All members have equal access to the community for the duration of their active membership. Membership may be terminated for the following reasons:
- Self-requested cancellation (minimum 30 days' notice before renewal)
- Termination of qualifying employment affiliation
- Violation of the code of conduct
- Submission of a fraudulent or materially misleading application
When a membership is terminated, notice is sent to the email address on file. If you believe your membership was wrongly terminated, you may contact us to appeal.
Membership dues are non-refundable. If your membership is terminated before the end of a paid cycle, the remaining balance is not returned.