Our goal: help entrepreneurs create positive change

The UBS Global Visionaries program is all about connecting people – with ideas, with likeminded people, and with tools to amplify visions and scale solutions that make a difference. Through the program, we aim to support the transition to an economy that considers the well-being of people and planet. We target visionary entrepreneurs who impact the UBS sustainability and impact focus topics, and in particular those of the UBS Optimus Foundation:

  • Health

  • Education

  • Climate and environment

How the program works

Through our 24-month UBS Global Visionaries program, we aim to accelerate the growth of impact entrepreneurs by creating connections with our clients, prospective clients and employees; raising awareness of the entrepreneurs’ endeavors by leveraging our brand and platforms; and increasing the entrepreneurs’ abilities through expert advice and other learning opportunities. 

UBS Global Visionaries are invited to join the program based on an internal selection process. Nominations are open for entrepreneurs in the topics of health, education, and climate & environment, and are usually between seed and series C funding stage (regional specifications apply). For nominations, we work closely with our business divisions, client communities, UBS Optimus Foundation, and external partners such as other accelerator programs. To find out more about eligibility and processes please contact us via the button below. 

The selection of UBS Global Visionaries’ is based on internally aligned impact, commercial, and risk assessments. In particular, we are interested in the following questions:

Impact

  • Is the organization environmentally and socially impactful?
  • How visionary are this organization, its founder(s) and leaders, and its solution(s)?
  • How transparent are its objectives, structures, processes, and measurement and reporting setups?

Commercial

  • What has been their growth history? What is their scalability and growth potential?
  • Does this organization have a strong investment case? 
  • How attractive is the market of this organization? How aligned is it with our focus areas and investment themes?

Risk and organizational considerations

  • Is the management setup solid?
  • Are the proponents (founder(s), leaders) good ambassadors and speakers for their cause?
  • What were the results of our due diligence?
  • What is our overall impression of the organization? 

Following the selection process, we onboard a small number of entrepreneurs to the program. At any point in time, we support between 10 and 25 UBS Global Visionaries. This is what we offer:

Connections

We connect our clients and employees to UBS Global Visionaries at events, roundtables, and bilateral meetings. The goal is to find the right connections to help UBS Global Visionaries grow in their areas of need and we leverage all available partnerships, in particular with business divisions and the UBS Optimus Foundation.

Awareness and visibility

We amplify the UBS Global Visionaries’ stories through our dedicated website, social media, and publications. Throughout the program, we strive to create internal and external speaking engagements for our participants to showcase their solutions.

Expert advice

We offer the UBS Global Visionaries pro-bono advice and learning opportunities through our global network of employees and external experts in a range of relevant topics.

Alumni network

After completing the two-year program, UBS Global Visionaires are invited to join our community of currently over 90 alumni to stay in touch and create further business opportunities.

Impact of the UBS Global Visionaries program

Tom Hall is Head of Social Impact & Philanthropy Services
We’ve supported more than 90 visionaries from all continents and with every new cohort we’re helping to scale amazing new solutions that make a difference in the world.
Tom Hall
Global Head Social Impact and Philanthropy, UBS and CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation network
Probably the single best networking event I’ve ever been to. I met so many people who care about impact and making a difference with the resources they have.
Nat Ware,
Founder and CEO of Forte
I have enjoyed the engagement in particular when discussing our insights with clients and UBS staff and I look forward to keeping in touch and being part of the alumni network.
Alejandro Litovsky
Founder and CEO of Earth Security
GV program has been very impactful for me personally, not only for Daphne Technology. I built a massive network thanks to all the invitations as a speaker to the events and all the personal introductions facilitated by the GV team.
Dr Mario Michan,
Founder and CEO of Daphne Technology

Every year, we connect over 1’000 existing or prospective clients with UBS Global Visionaries and to date 210 employees have given over 1’000 hours as coaches for our changemakers.

  • 0 million USD

    were contributed towards our impact focus topics through connections built in the program

  • 0 %

    of program participants build partnerships with the UBS network

  • 0 %

    of entrepreneurs in the program feel that the program positively influences their fundraising

Source

UBS. (2024). Supporting great vision: An independent review of the UBS Global Visionaries program 2016–2022. Retrieved from https://www.ubs.com/global/en/sustainability-impact/social-impact-and-philanthropy/globalvisionaries/news/2024/support-great-vision.html

Meet the UBS Global Visionaries

Whether they are committed to transformative climate or environment solutions, innovative healthcare initiatives, or scalable education programs, UBS Global Visionaires solve challenges for communities around the globe. Check out their profiles to learn more about each UBS Global Visionary!

Do you want to meet one of our UBS Global Visionaries? Ask your UBS client advisor for a connection.

Contact and Library

To find out more about the UBS Global Visionaries program, contact us or talk to your UBS advisor.
Sorry, there are no results matching your criteria.