You've got a great business idea in sanitation or water management, like ...

... implementing and scaling-up an innovative sanitation technology you invented?
... recycling nutrients from waste water and turn it into a great product?
... advocating and awareness raising on sustainable water management in rural communities?
... improving knowledge management in water and sanitation?
... offering innovative consulting services so water companies can become more sustainable?
... revolutionising the way how we manage natural resources?

WHAT YOU NEED IS

Support to develop a strong and sustainable business model?
Practical advice and guidance from experienced water and business experts?
Clear information on finance, marketing and how to get started?
Access to our large sector-specific network?

OUR OFFER AT A GLANCE

01

SECTOR RELEVANT LECTURES

Our course content gives you the knowledge you need to develop your idea, create a strong business model, perfect your pitch and launch and manage your business.

02

EXPERT ONE-TO-ONE COACHING

Our expert coaches are here to help you make your business happen! They can provide practical advice, facilitate networking and connect you to funding opportunities.

03

COMMUNITY

The cewas community connects you to a broad range of sector experts and like-minded water and sanitation entrepreneurs to collaborate, exchange and develop your business.



CEWAS START-UP PROGRAMME 2019

August 4th-10th, 2019

Objective:

Get inspired and develop your start-up idea

Description:

This module will introduce you to the programme and give you insights into the market and sector trends. Through interaction with coaches and fellow participants, you will nail down the business idea that most motivates you. This may be the idea you came with - or even a totally new one! In addition, we organize a field trip to Italy, where you will have the opportunity to socialize with your fellow participants. As this module draws to an end, you will have a clearly defined business idea that you want to develop in module 2!

August 12th-16th, 2019

Objective:

Define your winning water and sanitation business model

Description:

Module 2 will help you transform your idea into a concrete business model. Using the business model canvas, you will analyze your customers and identify a value proposition for them.

August 19th-23rd, 2019

Objective:

Plan your business operations and finances

Description:

The focus will be on the technical solutions and the safety and health implications of your business model.
We will also cover key aspects of financial planning and analysis.

August 25th-September 6th, 2019

Objective:

Test your business model with real customers

Description:

Now that you have developed a great business model, it is time to validate it with real customers. At the Stockholm World Water Week (SWWW) you will pitch in front of a vast range of potential customers and sector experts and get feedback.
During the last week of the programme, we will host a public event in Brussels enabling you to present your idea to an audience of potential partners and investors.

September 2019 to June 2020
(9 months of remote coaching), your home country

Objective

Launch your business

Description

During the 9-months coaching phase a dedicated coach will support you via skype meetings and email in launching your business. The coach will support you in staying on track, give you feedback and continue to link you up to potential partners and clients.

PRICES

Good things don’t come for free! Thanks to our partners, we can offer the cewas Start-up Programme at subsidised rates:

Fees for the entire programme (modules 1-4)
(including coaching)
CHF 4000
as an individual
CHF 5000
as a group
Fees for modules
(excluding coaching)
CHF 2500
Module 1-3 (as an individual)
CHF 3000
Module 1-3 (as a group)
CHF 2000
Module 4 (as an individual)
CHF 2500
Module 4 (as a group)

Costs include all course materials, field trips, coaching, access to the shared workspace, free coffee, WIFI and entry to cewas events. The price of the programme does not cover travel, visa, insurance, lodging, food or access to the SWWW in Stockholm.

Trouble financing the course?

Thanks to our partner Young Water Solutions, there are 10 fellowships on offer for the entire Start-up Programme (covering programme fees, board and lodging, travel costs). You will find more information on the Young Water Fellowship here.

FAQs

Q: Who can take part?

A: Anyone with an idea, strong motivation and an entrepreneurial spirit to make it happen!

If you want to receive ECTS Credits, you need to have a Bachelor or Master Degree or extended relevant work experience. As the course is held in English, you should have a good working knowledge of English (oral and written).

Q: What is the cewas start-up programme?

A: The cewas start-up programme is an innovation lab and entrepreneurial community. It provides individuals and groups with the knowledge, skills and networks to transform their business idea into a working start-up.

Q: When does the next programme take place?

A: The training modules of the next programme will start August 3rd 2019 and will run through September 6th 2019 in Switzerland, Sweden and Belgium. One-to-one coaching is provided to all participants throughout the programme until June 2020. This can be carried out either in person during modules 1 to 4 or over skype and email in module 5.

Q: Where does the programme take place?

A: The programme’s training centre is located in Willisau, near Lucerne in Switzerland. Modules 1 and 2 will be carried out here. Modules 3 and 4 will take place in Stockholm (Sweden) and Brussels (Belgium) respectively. Affordable accommodation nearby can be made available, if needed.
The training centre can be used as a shared working space by all participants throughout the programme and beyond. It provides an ideal place for collaboration and interaction with other community members and a venue for the programme’s pitching events. Linking urban and rural needs, the location echoes our approach towards creating a sustainable water and sanitation sector.

Since 2018 we carry out the programme in collaboration with Young Water Solutions and in addition to the visit of the Stockholm World Water Week in Sweden, the last training module takes place in Brussels, Belgium.

Q: How do I apply?

A: Since 2018 Young Water Solutions sponsors 10 participants to take part in the programme. To find out more about the application process, visit Young Water Solutions.

If you do not comply with the selection criteria of the Young Water Fellowship and have the means to cover participation costs yourself, get in touch with us!

Q: Are there any fees involved?

A: Good things don’t come for free! But thanks to our partners, we can offer the cewas Start-up Programme at subsidised rates:
The fees for the start-up programme (August 2019 – June 2020) are as follows:

CHF 4’000 as an individual.
CHF 5’000 as a group.

For the modules 1-3 only: CHF 2’500 as an individual and CHF 3’000 as a group. Module 4 can be paid separately: CHF 2’000 as an individual and CHF 2’500 as a group. If you decide to participate only in single modules only, subsequent coaching (module 5) is not included in the price.

Costs include all course materials, field trips, coaching, access to the shared workspace, free coffee, WIFI and entry to cewas events. The price of the programme does not cover travel, visa, insurance, lodging, food or access to the SWWW in Stockholm.

Trouble financing the course? Thanks to our partner Young Water Solutions, there are 10 fellowships on offer for the entire Start-up Programme (covering programme fees, board and lodging, travel costs). You will find more information on the Young Water Fellowship here.

ECTS ACCREDITED

The cewas Start-up Programme is ECTS accredited by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU).

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