The objective of the «DesignPlus» (2013 to 2018) area of activity was to reinforce the importance of incorporating design knowledge and methods as an integral part of specialist scientists' work as early as possible. Initial interfaces between design, research and innovation were created with the funded projects.
This provided Gebert Rüf Stiftung with a basis to further sharpen its focus and its management of the funding gap. To combine design with technology where the benefit is greatest, product-specific inputs from a design perspective are now supported under the «InnoBooster» program, shifting the accent to university-based business projects already in Venture Kick stage 1.
Previous DesignPlus funding took the form of complementary funding that specifically enabled cooperation between scientists and designers with all the related budget implications. Small projects with a short duration and a budget of up to CHF 50,000 were considered alongside larger projects extending over two to three years and with funding requirements of up to CHF 300,000. The newly focused «InnoBooster» funding addresses projects with a budget of up to CHF 150,000 and a duration of no more than 1.5 years.