Swiss Startups Awards 2014: PostFinance Digital Business Award
This year, the Swiss Startups Awards will be granting the PostFinance Digital Business Award for the first time.
An interview with Hansruedi Köng, Chairman of the Executive Board, about the PostFinance Digital Business Award
1. Why is PostFinance granting its Digital Business Award?
Over the past few years, PostFinance has established a close relationship with STARTUPS.CH and its young entrepreneurs. We want to go a step further and grant the PostFinance Digital Business Award at the Swiss Startups Awards. We will offer seed capital of CHF 50’000 to a promising start-up, thereby expanding our commitment to young entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial spirit in Switzerland.
2. Who can win the award?
The prize will be awarded to a start-up in the Digital Business sector. This includes automated business processes along the entire value chain; from marketing, sourcing, purchase and sales platforms, accounting and payment solutions, logistics, and customer services. However, the idea must be in an early stage and not yet implemented.
3. What kind of projects are you expecting?
As president of the jury, I am expecting a broad range of ideas that will highlight the diversity and high potential of the digital business. As CEO of the PostFinance, I will be hoping for projects that potentially allow us to collaborate with young entrepreneurs and help them develop their business ideas.
4. How important is innovation for PostFinance?
Innovation is highly important for PostFinance. In Switzerland, we are seen as pioneers in the field of digital payment. We were one of the first banks in Switzerland to focus on e-Banking and the first financial institution that offered its customers wire transfers via mobile phone. In 2009 we launched a fast service via SMS and in 2010 the first Scan & Pay application. Mobile Banking and e-Banking are becoming more and more important, and we want to maintain our strong position with new offers and services.
5. The digital market is highly competitive. How will PostFinance defend its strong position against large international competitors?
Indeed, defending our market space is a big challenge, as we face strong national and international competitors. We see contact-free payment with NFC enabled phones as the possible future. We are also developing solutions for the Digital Wallet, allowing people to pay easily in the digital world. Apart from developing new solutions we are also open for cooperation. Starting from summer 2015, we will be offering our customers a contact-free debit card.
