[PDF] Let's incubate resilience - Shine - Swiss Re Foundation

Enriched family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:11

Shine provides early-stage social entrepreneurs with a grant and access to Swiss Re business expertise, leadership and coaching to help them ...

Source: https://www.swissrefoundation.org/dam/jcr:525b3f27-e0f4-4d64-8766-a72523a058d3/2025-10-srf-shine-uk-2026-brochure.pdf

Funding Details

Funder

Swiss Re Foundation

Funding Goal

Support early-stage social entrepreneurs addressing climate solutions and healthcare access challenges through grants, mentorship, and business coaching

Funding Amount

Up to GBP 40,000 (GBP 5,000 initial validation grant + up to GBP 35,000 after investment committee pitch). Amounts vary by country; globally up to CHF 35,000. (5.000 € – 40.000 €)

Deadline

2025-10-31 (Rolling)

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Swiss Re Foundation website for the specific country edition. Selected entrepreneurs go through intensive on-site evaluation, after which shortlisted candidates enter the four-month immersive programme. The programme culminates in a pitch to an investment committee that determines second-round grant allocation. Post-programme monitoring continues for up to two years.

Target Region

Global (UK, India, Brazil, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, United States, Southeast Asia)

Official Page

https://www.swissrefoundation.org/who-we-partner-with/Entrepreneurial-solutions/Shine.html

Last Checked

2026-03-11 22:15

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Must be an early-stage social enterprise (0-6 years old)
• Must have an established minimum viable product with pilot or commercial traction
• Must be based in one of the programme's target countries (UK, India, Brazil, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, US, Southeast Asia)

Project Scope

• Must address climate solutions or healthcare access in focus areas: nature-positive businesses, circular economy, net-zero urban transformation, or climate hazard preparedness

Constraints

• Must demonstrate commitment to financial sustainability beyond grant funding
• Must be willing to collaborate with Swiss Re employees over four months of in-person and virtual sessions
• Must pitch business plan to investment committee for second-round funding (up to GBP 35,000)

Summary

The Shine programme is the Swiss Re Foundation's flagship incubation initiative for early-stage social entrepreneurs tackling climate and health challenges. Since its launch in India in 2018, Shine has expanded to eight countries and regions including the UK, Brazil, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United States, and Southeast Asia. The programme targets social enterprises aged 0-6 years that have an established minimum viable product and demonstrate innovative approaches in focus areas such as nature-positive businesses, circular economy ventures, net-zero urban transformations, and climate hazard preparedness. Selected entrepreneurs participate in an intensive four-month learning journey combining in-person workshop modules with weekly virtual teamwork. Participants develop a scalable business plan together with a diverse team of Swiss Re experts. The programme provides an initial validation grant (GBP 5,000 in the UK edition), with up to GBP 35,000 in additional grant funding available after pitching to an investment committee — totaling up to GBP 40,000. Beyond funding, participants receive leadership coaching, strategic planning guidance, and access to Swiss Re's professional network. The UK 2026 edition had an application deadline of October 31, 2025, with the programme running from February to May 2026 and post-programme monitoring continuing for up to two years. Since inception, Shine has supported 25 social enterprises with CHF 610,876 in total grants, engaging 182 Swiss Re employees who contributed 42,000 hours of technical assistance.

Historical Context

Shine launched in India in 2018 and has since expanded to eight countries/regions. As of the latest data, 25 social enterprises have been supported with CHF 610,876 in total grants, 182 Swiss Re employees engaged, and 42,000 hours of technical assistance provided. The programme runs annual country-specific rounds (UK 2026 edition documented here). Average participant satisfaction is 4.5/5.

Sources

• https://www.swissrefoundation.org/dam/jcr:525b3f27-e0f4-4d64-8766-a72523a058d3/2025-10-srf-shine-uk-2026-brochure.pdf
• https://www.swissrefoundation.org/who-we-partner-with/Entrepreneurial-solutions/Shine.html
• https://www.swissrefoundation.org/who-we-partner-with/Entrepreneurial-solutions.html

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