SINGA Factory: Refugees create new jobs

SINGA Factory supports people who have fled to Switzerland in implementing their entrepreneurial ideas in the tech industry. There is already great interest in the project, even before its launch.
Pioneering projects can seldom be described in one sentence. But for SINGA Factory, that’s not a problem: it’s a six-month start-up programme for people with refugee or migrant backgrounds who want to start a business in the tech industry. “The idea is hitting home, because it combines several highly topical issues at the same time,” says co-founder Seraina Soldner. “Migration, technology, start-ups — this combination strikes a chord with a wide variety of interest groups.”
Meeting as equals
The clear credo of the project is that it’s not about helping refugees, but about meeting them as equals. “The participants are able to take advantage of workshops and individual coaching, and they have the opportunity to test their ideas with potential investors and customers,” says Soldner. “At the same time, the Swiss economy is able to benefit from the entrepreneurial potential of these individuals and get stimulated by their projects.”

A broad base
The private sector is very interested in this project, as are government offices, charitable organisations and private citizens who are acting as partners and offering support. Among others, employees at Google, PWC and AXA are doing pro bono work as coaches and mentors for SINGA Switzerland. The law firms Aquilaw and Wenger & Vieli are offering free workshops and legal advice. Singa is actively collaborating with NGOs working with migrants, such as Powercoders, a coding school for refugees, which designed the SINGA-Website.
“The more that people with different strengths come together, the more powerfully an idea can be implemented.”
“We had hoped for this kind of feedback,” says Samira Lütscher of the Engagement Migros development fund, which made the start-up project possible. “SINGA Factory is a project that thrives on collaborative innovation. The more that people with different strengths and interests come together, the more powerfully an idea can be implemented.” This fact was recognised by founders Seraina Soldner and Mirjam Walser, who have skilfully created a network of refugees, social entrepreneurs, academics, NGOs and large corporations.

A clear line
But there are risks in rejoicing too soon. In environments where techies, financiers, institutes of education and NGOs work together, conflict between the different demands on and expectations of the project inevitably develops. Soldner is also aware that this danger exists: “It is therefore even more important that we in management approach our work with a clear philosophy. We make time for discussions with potential partners, to make sure from the beginning that there are no misunderstandings.”
Tech focus: a tough nut to crack
The recruiting process for participants is on-going until the end of July 2017, when 20 people will be accepted into the programme. One difficulty has proven to be the limitations of focusing on technology. “The entrepreneurial potential of the applicants is undisputed,” says Seraina Soldner. “There are project ideas for apps, online shops and IT management tools. But there are also many exciting ideas that have nothing to do with technology.” Despite this, SINGA Factory is still focusing on technology, not least because of the reasonable investment costs and the low threshold to realising projects in this area. Their objective is to already release the first “SINGApreneurs” into business independence by next year. It will be interesting to see the results.
