1. What is Roxbourg?

Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) is a Swiss-based business school for professionals addressing the root causes of social, gender, and environmental inequity. Roxbourg is not a private university. Roxbourg is funded by the professionals and alumni from around the world. Roxbourg is a provider of accreditation for professionals and their academies, incubators, accelerators, and campuses. Professionals hold all leadership roles at Roxbourg and directly contribute to the evaluation, certification, and accreditation decisions.

What’s New?
World’s first acceleration program where you can earn a professional degree by scaling up sustainable projects or social ventures.

Name of the institution
Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE), powered by Roxbourg HYPR Accelerator, La Sarraz, Switzerland.

Registration
Roxbourg is a sustainable innovation from Majamba Sàrl, Switzerland, established in 2010. The registration number of Majamba Sàrl is CHE-115.846.360.

Type of institution
Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE), La Sarraz, Switzerland offers hybrid (in-person/online) Professional Higher Education (PHE) programs focused on venture development where you directly learn from professionals instead of professors. Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) is NOT a university. Roxbourg is a provider of accreditation NOT a receiver of accreditation. Roxbourg accredits professionals.

Degrees Offered
Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) offers ten highly specialized Roxbourg.MBA degrees and a highly specialized Professional MBA+DBA with further specialization in Humanitarian Innovation, Sustainable Innovation, and Sustainable Finance.

Program Start Dates
Roxbourg follows a rolling admissions process where you can start on different dates and graduate when you are ready:

2021:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 1.0: From the 3rd of February 2021 to the 1st of October 2021.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 2.0: From the 6th of July 2021 to the 1st of October 2021.
:: GoodFestival 8e (Alt), Good Brand Summit, 6 October 2022, Swissnex, San Francisco & The Olympic Museum, Lausanne, Switzerland.

2022:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 3.0: From the 1st of February 2022 to the 5th of May 2022.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 4.0: From the 5th of July 2022 to the 14th of October 2022.
:: GoodFestival 9e, 14 October 2022, The Olympic Museum, Lausanne & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2023:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 5.0: From the 1st of February 2023 to the 11th of May 2023.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 6.0: From the 14th of June 2023 to the 11th of October 2023.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 7.0: From the 28th of October 2023 to the 8th of February 2024.
GoodFestival 10e, 11 October 2023, The Olympic Museum, Lausanne & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2024:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 8.0: From the 28th of February 2024 to the 19th of June 2024.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 9.0: From the 10th of July 2024 to the 23rd of October 2024.
:: GoodFestival 11e, Open Venue, Switzerland & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2025:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 10.0: From the 19th of February 2025 to the 4th of June 2025.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 11.0: From the 25th of June 2025 to the 8th of October 2025.
:: GoodFestival 12e, Open Venue, Switzerland & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2026:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 12.0: From the 18th of February 2026 to the 3rd of June 2026.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 13.0: From the 24th of June 2026 to the 7th of October 2026.
:: GoodFestival 13e, Open Venue, Switzerland & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2027:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 14.0: From the 17th of February 2027 to the 2nd of June 2027.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 15.0: From the 23rd of June 2027 to the 6th of October 2027.
:: GoodFestival 15e, Open Venue, Switzerland & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2028:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 16.0: From the 16th of February 2028 to the 31st of May 2028.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 17.0: From the 21st of June 2028 to the 4th of October 2028.
:: GoodFestival 17e, Open Venue, Switzerland & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2029:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 18.0: From the 14th of February 2029 to the 30th of May 2029.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 19.0: From the 20th of June 2029 to the 3rd of October 2029.
:: GoodFestival 19e, Open Venue, Switzerland & Roxbourg Campus Network.

2030:
:: Roxbourg.MBA 20.0: From the 13th of February 2030 to the 29th of May 2030.
:: Roxbourg.MBA 21.0: From the 19th of June 2030 to the 2nd of October 2030.
:: GoodFestival 21e, Open Venue, Switzerland & Roxbourg Campus Network.

Time Commitment
Please note Roxbourg Jam Sessions (Seminars) are held every week between 13:00 and 17:00 CEST / Swiss Time on Saturdays with Catch Up Sessions every Wednesday between 15:00 and 17:00 CEST / Swiss Time for the duration of the selected Roxbourg Program where you will discuss the challenges you may be facing and your strategic options with your Study Group.

2. How is Roxbourg structured, including the Admissions Process?

Duration of the Program
Each year is divided into two semesters of approximately 100 days with 45 Jam Sessions. The Spring Semester is from February to June and the Summer Semester is from June to October and occasionally we add the winter semester. The graduation date is not fixed and depends on the completion of deliverables.

Rolling Admissions
Admissions are open throughout the year.

:: Apply by Monday.
:: Interview by Friday.
:: Start next Wednesday.

Location
Hybrid | Switzerland | Online.

Program Fees
4,800 - 8,800 Swiss Francs | Scholarships available.

Class Rules
• Attendance
:: Attend at least 36 out of 45 Jam Sessions every semester including Expert Jams and Anytime Jams via Roxbourg Innovation Hub.
:: Participate with the cameras on.
:: Join the Jam Session from a stationary place (no moving cars, no trains, etc).
:: Complete your assignments via Roxbourg Digital Learning Platform.
:: Everyone who misses more than 9 Jam Sessions is invited to join the next semester as a new student.

• Anchor Deals
:: Prepare for each Jam Session by reviewing the slides and the Roxbourg Library.
:: Pitch to potential partners, suppliers, sponsors, etc - to close new deals and build new capabilities and scale up (accelerate) your social venture.
:: Launch new offers based on new capabilities and/or expand your market presence by growing in existing markets or entering new markets to further scale up (accelerate) your venture.

• Awesome Pitch
:: Ensure that your venture is registered; your website/social media clearly mentions your offers, and your achievements; your “About” page on your website clearly outlines your story and gives credit to all sources (no plagiarism).
:: Pitch your Venture in 58 seconds to the Roxbourg Jury and answer questions precisely. From June 2023 onwards - everyone pitches.

3. What are the eligibility criteria for Roxbourg?

Yes, everyone who wants to build a better world is welcome to apply. Here are the notes regarding the admission criteria:

I. You will need to prove you are working on a project that is addressing local needs - clean water, balanced nutrition, breathable air, renewable energy, quality education, reliable healthcare, secure habitat, or self-expression - that you want to scale up while you are enrolled at Roxbourg.

II. You will need to demonstrate a basic understanding of the fundamentals of strategy, marketing, fundraising, and operations management.

III. You will need a high tolerance for ambiguity and be comfortable with continuous experimentation.

IV. Your social venture or the social venture you are supporting needs to be registered with the local authorities PLUS the website that showcases your value proposition and the social media stream highlights your achievements PLUS you need to have an academic degree OR a vocational diploma OR related work experience.

4. Roxbourg follows a “Pay what you can” scholarship model for the tuition fees.

Roxbourg follows “Pay what you can” model. You pay what you can based on your financial situation and Roxbourg will try to find a sponsor to cover the rest of the fees.

• What’s included in the scholarship?
:: Roxbourg Email ID
:: Roxbourg Innovation Hub
:: Roxbourg Video Conferencing
:: Roxbourg Jam Sessions & Seminars
:: Roxbourg Library
:: Roxbourg One2One Coaching
:: Roxbourg Official Curriculum
:: Roxbourg Assessment
:: Roxbourg Certification
:: Roxbourg Accreditation

• What’s not included in the scholarship?
:: Administration Fee of 40 Swiss Francs per month
:: Computer / Internet
:: Direct investment in your Social Venture

• Roxbourg Scholarship Decision Checklist:
:: Venture Maturity: How mature is your venture? How are you addressing the needs of your community?
:: Venture Support: What is the level of support you need?
:: Financial Situation: Do you have a steady income? Are you cash flow positive?
:: Investment Level: What is the level of investment you are making in your sustainable project?

• Roxbourg Scholarship Decision Process:
1. After you apply you will receive a list of questions via email.
2. Once we receive your answers, we will invite you for an interview.
3. After the interview, we will confirm our Scholarship Offer.
4. After you complete the Admission Requirements, you will receive the enrollment letter.
5. Next we will invite you to the Pre-Onboarding Session.
6. This will be followed by an invitation to the Onboarding Session, where you will meet your classmates.

5. What is the Roxbourg Experience like?

In 200 - 600 days, you will need to master every detail of business planning and executing your plan after confirming your purpose, setting your ambition, finalizing your team, finalizing partnerships, and creating an action plan to scale up your venture. In the past, students with a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve have graduated with top honors.

Yes, the Roxbourg experience is very straightforward. Attend three Jam Sessions via Zoom on Saturdays and Wednesdays every week for the duration of the Roxbourg.MBA Program where you will need to present an update related to your understanding of the challenges you are facing, your strategic options, and your achievements.

Roxbourg Experience:
:: Attend Sandbox Jams (Saturday)
:: Attend Care Jams (Saturday)
:: Attend Catch Up Jams (Wednesday)
:: Attend Feedback Jams (Anytime)
:: Submit Assignments (Thursday)
:: Research Roxbourg Library
:: Master Roxbourg Method
:: Review Roxbourg Policy
———————
:: Register Venture
:: Build / Update Websites
:: Activate Social Media
:: Close Anchor Deals
:: Pitch Venture Plan
:: Celebrate Jury Decision

The Roxbourg.MBA is relatively tougher than the academic programs because you have to accomplish all the elements of the Roxbourg Method - Purpose & Ambition, Acceleration Plan, Deal Flow, and Venture Plan in 200 - 600 days. That is why it becomes a race against time that is held thrice a year from February to June, June to October, and October to February. Your study group will support you to graduate and you can take as much time as you need to complete the graduation requirements.

Subjects covered:
:: Opportunity Analysis / Addressable Market
:: Market Research / Validate Market
:: Strategy Development / Purpose & Ambition
:: Team Development / Core & Extended
:: Brainstorming / Debate & Deliberate
:: Product Positioning / Unique Proposition
:: Marketing / Generate Leads
:: Social Media / Tell Stories
:: Financial Planning / Break Even
:: Fundraising / Sell & Deliver
:: Venture Pitching / Precise & Impactful
:: Contracts / Risk Management
:: External & Internal Reporting / Accuracy
:: Resilience / Bounce Back
:: Jury Presentation / Be Fearless

All Roxbourg.MBA graduates are eligible to get accredited as Roxbourg Fellows.

6. What does participating in a Roxbourg Jam Session mean?

:: On-time (maximum delay of 20 minutes).

:: Good internet connection that allows you to switch on your video without any audio distortion.

:: Follow the professional dress code and pay attention to what others are saying. Smoking or eating or munching or consuming alcohol during the Jam Session is strictly prohibited.

:: Use the Roxbourg Method - which provides a structured way to build or scale up (accelerate) your venture step by step to formulate your intervention - Purpose & Ambition, Acceleration Plan, Deal Flow and Venture Plan.

:: Support the Master of Ceremonies by following the simple protocols, for example: when you are ready to support others or ask a question, please raise your hands using the Zoom button. And only speak when the MC calls your name.

:: Attend the full Jam Session as a courtesy to other participants. If you have to leave because of an emergency, by all means, leave but without any fuss - there is no need to leave a message on the public forum, if required just send an email to members of the Roxbourg Team.

7. How is the Roxbourg Governance structured?

Roxbourg follows a four-tier governance structure:

I. Decision Tier: The Roxbourg Jury is made up of Roxbourg Fellows. The Roxbourg Service Professional Academic Affairs (SPAA) Team invites Roxbourg Fellows to the Roxbourg Jury. And the Roxbourg Jury decides who graduates with a Roxbourg Degree, the Good100 Medal and who gets the Roxbourg Gold Medal - everyone who graduates or wins the Good100 Medal is invited to apply for the Roxbourg Fellowship.

II. Strategic Tier: The Roxbourg “Professional Higher Education Standards Advisory Board” is made up of Roxbourg DBA Candidates and Leaders of Academies accredited by Roxbourg.

ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION STANDARDS ADVISORY BOARD (PHESAB):
:: Set, uphold, and enforce the Roxbourg Policy for learning methods, and graduation requirements.
:: Members for the PHESAB will be elected during the Onboarding Session of every semester.
:: All decisions of the PHESAB will be executed by SPAA as is the case for Roxbourg Jury and IAB.

III. Operations Tier: The Roxbourg “Innovators Advisory Board” is made up of the Roxbourg DBA candidates.

ROLE OF THE INNOVATORS ADVISORY BOARD (IAB):
:: Each IAB leads the Academy Study Groups made up of 10 to 20 (Maximum 50) MBA and DBA candidates.
:: The IAB supports the Roxbourg MBA and Roxbourg DBA students to scale up (accelerate) their ventures.
:: The IAB makes recommendations regarding which MBA or DBA candidates are ready to pitch to the Roxbourg Jury based on verifiable achievements related to accelerating their social ventures.

IV. Support Tier: The Roxbourg Student Professional Academic Affairs (SPAA) is managed by the Roxbourg Team. The Roxbourg Service Professional Academic Affairs (SPAA) Team convenes the Roxbourg Jury and the Roxbourg Innovators Advisory Board (IAB).

NOTES:
Criteria for appointment to the Roxbourg Jury and the Roxbourg Standards Board:
:: Roxbourg Professional MBA Graduate.
:: Leading a Social Venture or a Sustainable Project within an established organization.
:: Understands and agrees with the criteria that make up the standards being upheld:

High-Level Criterion regarding standards:
: Feasibility of Ambition and Progress of Achievements.

Detailed Criteria regarding standards:
: Deals to build capabilities in the current semester.
: Registered Venture.
: Website with clear offer(s).
: Active Social Media.
: Participation / Attendance (minimum 80% attendance).

8. How does the Roxbourg Jury decide who graduates?

The Roxbourg Jury has a very narrow mandate - to decide whether your venture is ready for graduation in the current semester or the next. And to decide who is nominated for the Roxbourg Gold Medal. In order to pitch to the jury, you will need to follow a strict template and pitch in 58 seconds. The jury can ask questions and the decision of the jury is final.

The Roxbourg / Good100 Jury reviews the Venture Pitches based on the following criteria:

A. Feasibility of your Venture Plan measured by the level of achievement versus the stated ambition.

B. Progress of the venture during the period while you are enrolled at Roxbourg.

The jury grades every student based on the template provided to the students.

The overall passing score is 80% and the score for the Roxbourg Gold Medal is 90% - in case of no one receives the 90% score, everyone with 5% points above the average (minimum 80%) will be nominated for the Gold Medal / Fellowship - please note any particular jury member does not know if their score led to the decision as the top and bottom scores are not counted when the average is taken.

Note: 80% attendance or attending 36 out of 45 Jam Sessions is mandatory in order to complete a semester. Everyone who misses more than 9 Jam Sessions is automatically invited to the next semester and can skip the rest of the remaining semester.

9. What is the decision criteria for the Good100 Medal and the Group Certificate?

All Roxbourg Graduates with "live" ventures are eligible for the Good100 Medal that is awarded as part of the graduation ceremony at the GoodFestival in Lausanne, Switzerland. GoodFestival is the world's biggest celebration of sustainable innovation thanks to the City of Lausanne, State of Vaud and support from 100+ organizations. GoodFestival is a multi-event series taking place in Lausanne, Switzerland since 2016. Our mission is to showcase entrepreneurs, impact investors, artists, doctors, scientists, and leaders of businesses, incubators, accelerators, government agencies, NGOs, foundations, universities, and international organizations, who are addressing the root causes of social inequity. GoodFestival is managed by the Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE), La Sarraz, Switzerland. More information at GoodFestival.

All Roxbourg Graduates can request a Group Certificate to reward the team that is supporting their venture. This certificate is "vertical" in nature and the Roxbourg Degrees are traditional "horizontal" certificates.

10. From Graduation to the Roxbourg Fellowship or what happens after a successful pitch to the Roxbourg Jury?

Everyone who is recommended for graduation by the Roxbourg Jury is invited to the GoodFestival in Switzerland and a world of opportunities opens up for all Roxbourg Graduates:

A. Roxbourg Fellowship
All graduates who continue to develop their ventures have the option to join the Roxbourg Fellowship and/or the Pro Bono Network of the Roxbourg HYPR Accelerator which gives them the option to join any Roxbourg Jam Session and receive feedback from the Roxbourg MBA & DBA candidates for any new project - www.roxbourg.com

B. Roxbourg.SPACE Program
All Roxbourg Fellows have the option to start their own academy so you can coach anyone to earn their Roxbourg.MBA at your academy - www.roxbourg.space

C. OneMillionSparks Magazine
All Roxbourg Fellows have the option to share any new achievement with the OneMillionSparks magazine - www.onemillionsparks.com

D. Keynote at GoodFestival
All Roxbourg Fellows have the option to be a keynote speaker at the GoodFestival in Switzerland as part of the Good100 Showcase - www.GoodFestival.ch

E. Roxbourg Jury
All Roxbourg Fellows have the option to join the highly specialized Roxbourg Jury for Accreditation, DBAs, or MBAs - www.roxbourg.mba

11. What are the golden rules followed by Roxbourg?

Well, the first golden rule is that no one is perfect and we need to learn from our mistakes. In order for the first rule to work, we need to forgive everyone and try not to hold a grudge. This brings us to the third golden rule - always remember why you are enrolled at Roxbourg - to further develop your venture. That is why respect your classmates; try not to disrupt their momentum; do not record any videos or post any photos of your classmates online; follow the decisions of the jury and please do not contact the jury to discuss the decision regarding your project before or after the jury review.

The Roxbourg Service Professional Academic Affairs (SPAA) Team exists to support everyone to follow the golden rules and resolve all obstacles that can potentially derail the business development race. Yes, the SPAA Team is like the referee and expects you to follow the Roxbourg Terms and Privacy Policy based on the Swiss Laws.

12. What is the code of conduct for all participants of Roxbourg Jam Sessions?

The high level of support Roxbourg enjoys results from the recognition of its vision to build a global platform that rewards good and the high degree of integrity, objectivity, and professionalism of Roxbourg Graduates, Roxbourg Fellows, and Roxbourg Team alike. All participants should recognize that they may be seen as representatives of Roxbourg. A summary of the ‘Standards’ pertaining to the Code of Conduct are below:

Participants will, at all times, be expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner with their colleagues. In this regard, Roxbourg will not tolerate violence and/or any kind of abusive behavior, including harassment, sexual and otherwise, from any participant towards any other individual including Roxbourg Team Members. Violent or abusive behavior, on or off duty, may result in withdrawal of support and/or other sanctions.

13. What are the forward-looking statements of Roxbourg?

Any statements regarding rewards, grants, scholarships, fellowships, titles, finding opportunities, and part-time or full-time employment are forward-looking statements and subject to unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors such as profitability & growth.

14. What are the non-disclosure requirements at Roxbourg?

Participants will not, during or at any time after the commencement of their collaboration with Roxbourg, unless authorized by Roxbourg, use or disclose any confidential information, trade secrets, data, or material relating to the business, affairs, or property of Roxbourg or its partners directly or indirectly obtained during this association with Roxbourg.

15. What are the intellectual property-related guidelines at Roxbourg?

Roxbourg does not claim any ownership rights in relation to any of the content produced by the participant. The participant shall retain all ownership rights for the participant's content. The participant grants Roxbourg the non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, display and distribute the participant’s content. It is understood that logos, documents, tools, or any other work produced by Roxbourg remain the property of Roxbourg.

Branding Guidelines:
:: All Roxbourg Graduates are requested to identify the name of the degree - for example: Roxbourg Humanitarian MBA - and the graduating year - Class of 2021 - while announcing your affiliation with Roxbourg.

:: All Roxbourg Candidates whose venture has been showcased at the GoodFestival are requested to identify the GoodFestival edition and the year when their venture was certified as part of Good100 - for example: GoodFestival 8th Edition in 2022.

:: Everyone who has acquired the Roxbourg SPACE License and has been accredited by the Roxbourg Jury to support candidates who are registered with Roxbourg to prepare for their Roxbourg.MBA degrees are requested to add “Powered by Roxbourg” after the name of their academy.

16. What are the guidelines regarding time at Roxbourg?

Participants are free to leave the Roxbourg Jam Session at any time without announcement. The “Master of Ceremonies” during every Jam Session has the option to end a particular debate at any time. This policy is valid till the 31st of December 2030 and is subject to amendments.

17. What is the governing law for the Roxbourg policy?

Roxbourg is a social initiative of Majamba SARL of 1315 La Sarraz Switzerland (CHE-115.846.360). This policy shall be governed, interpreted, and construed by, under, and pursuant to the substantive laws of Switzerland, without reference to its conflict of laws. The participant agrees that any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in relation to this agreement, including the validity, invalidity, breach, or termination thereof, shall be decided exclusively by the ordinary courts of Canton Vaud, Switzerland.