As part of Pro Helvetia’s first interactive media initiatives (GameCulture, Mobile), digital creators have expressed a need for support in finding international business partners. Matchmaking, or the art of organising matches based on several criteria designed to identify affinity, is essential to promoting Swiss talent in an extremely competitive market. Since 2016, Pro Helvetia has been testing new support tools through its «Culture and Economy» programme to help creative talents establish themselves in the field.

Matchmaking at Designers’ Saturday

On the occasion Designers’ Saturday 2018, Design Switzerland organised active formats that at the same time connect young Swiss designers with potential partners in the industry and link them with established peers to learn from their experience. We asked 3 designers about the importance of connecting with partners to further develop their products and get them on the market.

Matchmaking Cookbook

For the period 2016-2018, Engagement Migros, the Migros Development Fund, has set up a pioneering programme for Swiss digital creators, the «Match-Making Module», which has been integrated into various platforms such as Geneva International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival and Ludicious – Zurich Game Festival. At the end of the module, Engagement Migros decided to present the accumulated know-how in a «Matchmaking Cookbook». Together with various interactive media, the Cookbook provides event organisers with ready-made recipes for ensuring the smooth running of meetings between project leaders, investors, producers or publishers. The Cookbook is now available from Pro Helvetia, which is continuing its matchmaking activities in the field of interactive media and extending its efforts to design.

About Engagement Migros

The Migros Development Fund («Engagement Migros») supports the development of pioneering projects that open up new paths by experimenting with innovative solutions in a changing society. Engagement Migros exists thanks to the annual contribution of some ten million francs from the Migros Group; since 2012, the fund has complemented the activities of another Migros initiative, the so-called Culture Percentage.