Projekt Neptun

What Projekt Neptun does

Projekt Neptun is a Swiss non-profit e-commerce and support program operated by the foundation Stiftung Studenten-Discount (SSD), serving students, apprentices, teaching staff, alumni, and educational institutions across Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Founded in 2001 at ETH Zurich as part of the ETH World Initiative and expanded nationwide to all Swiss universities between 2005 and 2007, the platform negotiates volume pricing on business-grade laptops, tablets, 3D printers, and accessories from manufacturers including Apple, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Dell, and Samsung, then passes those savings through to end customers with no profit motive. The organization is governed by a five-member board and currently operates with a core office team of approximately eight people plus six named supporters across four Help Points.

Revenue is generated through hardware margins on time-limited "Wave" sales periods: two university waves tied to fall and spring semesters, an additional BYOD Wave for upper secondary school students introduced in 2021, plus a freshmen presale that opens three weeks earlier. Distribution is outsourced to partner storefronts DQ-Solutions (Apple devices) and YOULAP (HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Dell), with eligibility validated through SWITCHaai/eduID authentication. Discounts range from 8-10% on iPads up to 30% on selected HP and Lenovo ThinkPad models, governed by a three-year competitive evaluation cycle that selects among Apple, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft. The technology stack is a React-based e-commerce front end integrated with partner order systems, validated institutional identity, and privacy-focused analytics via Plausible.

Ancillary services anchor the post-purchase relationship and include free loaner laptops during device repairs, free 60-minute technical consultation per case, physical Help Points at ETH Zurich, University of Basel, University of Bern, and University of Lucerne, showrooms at ETH Zentrum and Bern Hochschulzentrum vonRoll, Demo Days campus tours, BYOD onboarding courses for students and teachers, free software bundles, and short-term laptop rental. Operations are intentionally limited to Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, and the organization is funded entirely through cost-pass-through margins rather than external venture capital.

Name

Projekt Neptun

Legal name

Stiftung Studenten-Discount (SSD)

Website

https://projektneptun.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Projekt Neptun is a Swiss non-profit foundation-operated e-commerce platform offering negotiated pricing on business-grade laptops, tablets, and accessories to students, staff, and alumni of Swiss educational institutions through time-limited Wave sales events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Device Procurement Services

NAICS

Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers (423430), Electronics and Appliance Retailers (4492)

SIC

Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045), Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)

akta.pro primary industry

IT & AV Hardware Procurement (Computers, Displays, Projectors, Interactive Panels) (EDAEAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Consumer Laptops (Mainstream & Premium) (HDACAAAF), Computers & Laptops Retail (CRACABAA)

Keywords

• Educational device procurement
• Student laptop discounts
• BYOD program services
• University hardware sales
• Nonprofit IT services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Projekt Neptun acts as a non-profit intermediary, negotiating volume discounts from manufacturers (Apple, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Dell, Samsung) and passing savings to students. Revenue comes from the margin between negotiated bulk purchase prices and retail pricing passed to customers.
2. Technical Support Services: Tiered support services: first 60 minutes free for students with Neptun devices; paid support for non-customers and additional services. Laptop rental available for students bridging time until new device purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Projekt Neptun negotiates volume discounts with hardware manufacturers and resells business-range laptops, tablets, monitors, and accessories exclusively to students, apprentices, staff, and alumni of Swiss higher education institutions and upper secondary schools through time-limited "Wave" sales campaigns distributed via partner online stores (DQ-Solutions for Apple, YOULAP for HP/Lenovo/Microsoft/Dell). The program supplements hardware sales with free technical support at four Neptun Help Points, free replacement laptops during repairs, showrooms at ETH Zürich and Bern, and a free software bundle for customers.

Product overview

Projekt Neptun is an e-commerce platform operated by Stiftung Studenten-Discount (SSD), a non-profit foundation affiliated with ETH Zurich. The platform offers discounted laptops, tablets, and accessories exclusively to students, apprentices, and staff of Swiss educational institutions through time-limited 'Wave' sales periods. The core product portfolio includes Apple devices (MacBooks, iPads), HP laptops, Lenovo ThinkPads, Microsoft Surface, Dell monitors/laptops, and Samsung tablets, with discounts ranging from 15-30%. The ecosystem includes the Validation Platform (using SWITCHaai/eduID for eligibility verification), distribution partnerships with DQ-Solutions (Apple) and YOULAP (HP/Lenovo/Microsoft/Dell), and support services such as Neptun Help Points, free self-support documentation, loaner laptops during repairs, BYOD onboarding courses, and physical showrooms at ETH Zurich and Bern. The platform also offers software bundles (institutional and free), laptop rental, and Demo Days tours. Projekt Neptun was founded in 2001, expanded to all Swiss universities by 2007, and added a dedicated BYOD Wave for upper secondary students in 2021.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Neptun Wave Herbst & Frühjahr (University) Semi-annual time-limited sales Waves for university students and staff, offering discounted laptops and tablets during four-week windows aligned with the start of fall and spring semesters.
• Neptun Wave for Upper Secondary Students (BYOD Sek II) BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) sales Wave for upper secondary school pupils at gymnasiums, middle schools, vocational schools, and apprenticeships, offering laptops and tablets aligned with school hardware mandates and delivered before the first school day.
• Vorverkauf für Erstsemestrige (Freshmen Presale) Early presale for first-semester university students with a laptop obligation, allowing orders three weeks before the official Wave opening with immediate delivery.
• Institutional Ordering Bulk procurement program for educational institutions and institutes with order limits and special conditions for laptop and device purchases, ordered through partner stores with institutional accounts.
• Apple Devices (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad) MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iPads offered with educational discounts of 15% on laptops and 8-10% on iPads through distribution partner DQ-Solutions.
• HP Laptops Business-range HP laptops with up to 30% discount, available with Swiss or US International keyboard layout, optional Windows or DOS configuration, sold through distribution partner YOULAP with warranty repairs handled by Computacenter AG.
• Lenovo ThinkPad Laptops ThinkPad business-range laptops with up to 30% discount, including three-year warranty with Premier Support Plus, available with Swiss or US International keyboard layout.
• Microsoft Surface Devices Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices with up to 22% discount, sold with keyboard and pen bundle.
• Dell Monitors and Laptops Dell monitors with three-year Advanced Exchange Service and premium panel warranty; Dell laptops available with three-year warranty including on-site service and accidental damage protection.
• Samsung Tablets Samsung tablets available in all configurations with 15% educational discount.
• Bambu Lab 3D Printers Bambu Lab 3D printers offered as part of the product portfolio for educational use.
• Accessories Laptop sleeves, Dicota anti-glare films, Dicota trolley suitcases, Dicota backpacks, Eneloop rechargeable batteries, headphones, and input devices from various manufacturers.
• Laptop Rental Short-term laptop rental service for students to bridge time when their device is being repaired or in irrecoverable situations, offered at student-friendly conditions.
• Neptun Help Points Support Service Physical technical support service at four locations (ETH Zürich, University of Basel, University of Bern, University of Lucerne) offering diagnostics, data migration, initial installation, hardware disposal, and free replacement laptops for students during repairs.
• BYOD Onboarding Courses Courses for students and teachers on how to use their devices effectively for educational purposes.
• Neptun Software Service Free commercial backup software exclusively available to Neptun customers, with download code received from the distribution partner after laptop shipment.
• Validation Platform Online validation system using SWITCHaai/eduID authentication or code-based validation to verify student or institutional affiliation before granting access to discounted pricing.
• Showroom ETH Zürich Physical showroom at ETH Zürich Zentrum (Tannenstrasse 7, ML Floor D, Room 14) where customers can view and test laptops before purchasing.
• Showroom Bern vonRoll Physical showroom at Bern Hochschulzentrum vonRoll (Fabrikstrasse 8, room B001) for viewing and testing available laptop models.
• Demo Days Tours Mobile demonstration tour visiting Swiss universities during sales Waves, allowing students to view devices and receive advice before purchasing.
• Free Software Bundles Software bundles with free applications and installation packages for students, regularly updated.
• Institutional Software Discounted software offerings for students provided through institutional partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% discount on HP and Lenovo laptops
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stiftung Studenten-Discount (SSD)coreOthers · 1 May 2016Projekt Neptun is integrated into the non-profit foundation Stiftung Studenten-Discount since May 2016. The foundation governs Projekt Neptun with a board of five people responsible for strategic direction.
• DQ-SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner handling all Apple device orders (MacBooks, iPads). Processes orders through their online store with educational pricing validation.
• YOULAPcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner handling HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Dell orders. Educational institution customers must select 'Bildungsinstitutionen' customer group for correct pricing.
• Computacenter AGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService partner for HP/Lenovo warranty repairs in Switzerland. Handles repair registration, manages service center in Dietikon, and provides hotline support.
• SWITCH (SWITCHaai/eduID)coreTechnology or IntegrationAuthentication provider enabling verification of student/institutional status through SWITCHaai and eduID systems for order validation.
• ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding institution of Projekt Neptun in 2001. ETH library donates laptops for refurbishment. Hosts Help Point and showroom at ETH Zürich Zentrum.
• Universität BaselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university hosting Help Point. Collaborates with Offener Hörsaal association for refugee education program.
• Universität BerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university hosting Help Point at Hochschulzentrum vonRoll. Collaborates with Offener Hörsaal and SUB for refugee education.
• Universität LuzerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university hosting Help Point for Lucerne region students.
• VSETHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization at ETH Zurich that co-founded Stonepine Labs GmbH (spin-off entity) with Dominik Candreia and Lisa von Boehmer in 2011.
• SEET - Support Education, Empower TogetherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial engagement partnership since 2022. Donated six laptops to refugee women mentoring program. Planning additional donations for 2023/24 academic year.
• Offener Hörsaal (Universität Basel & Bern)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial engagement partnership donating refurbished laptops to refugee education programs. Received eight refurbished laptops from ETH library donation, upgraded with Samsung RAM/SSD.
• SUB (Universitätsbibliothek Bern)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity library of Bern collaborating with Offener Hörsaal for refugee education project laptop donations.
• The Alternative (ETH Zurich)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent association at ETHZ that tests Linux compatibility on Neptun laptops and uses them as working devices during Linux Days.
• Apple SwitzerlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer partner providing business-range MacBooks and iPads at negotiated educational pricing through three-year evaluation partnership.
• HP SwitzerlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer partner providing business-range laptops at up to 30% discount through three-year evaluation partnership.
• Lenovo SwitzerlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer partner providing ThinkPad business-range laptops with Premier Support Plus at negotiated pricing through three-year evaluation.
• Microsoft SwitzerlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer partner providing Surface devices at up to 22% discount through evaluation partnership.
• Samsung SwitzerlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer partner providing tablets and mobile devices at 15% discount through EPP store arrangement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Computacenter: Large European IT services and procurement company that is both a Projekt Neptun partner (handling HP/Lenovo/Dell warranty repairs and providing an external marketing consultant) and a broader incumbent that procures IT for enterprises and public-sector organizations across Europe.

Others

• DQ Solutions: Swiss Apple Authorized Reseller and distribution partner that processes Projekt Neptun's Apple device orders through its online store. Functions as the operational distribution layer for the Apple product line rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• CampusShop: Netherlands-based student-focused IT retailer offering laptops with academic discounts, similar to Projekt Neptun's student-only pricing model but serving a different national market.
• JISC (UK): UK not-for-profit digital, data, and technology agency for higher education and research, which negotiates framework agreements including student device procurement. Conceptually similar to Projekt Neptun's role in Switzerland but operating at a much larger national scale in the UK.
• SURF (Netherlands): Dutch cooperative of educational and research institutions that negotiates ICT procurement agreements on behalf of Dutch universities and colleges. Operates a comparable mission-aligned, education-focused hardware procurement model but for the Netherlands rather than Switzerland.

Direct peers

• Microsoft Surface for Education: Microsoft's direct education channel for Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices. Overlaps with Projekt Neptun's Surface offerings and competes on both pricing and bundle composition.
• HP Education: HP's education program offering business-class laptops at academic discounts in Switzerland. Competes with Projekt Neptun's HP lineup and is one of the three-year evaluation manufacturer partners.
• Lenovo Academic / Education: Lenovo's direct education channel for ThinkPad laptops with student pricing in Switzerland. Competes head-to-head with Projekt Neptun on the same ThinkPad SKUs and offers an alternative purchase path that bypasses the Wave sales window.
• Apple Education Store: Apple's own education channel offering discounted MacBooks and iPads to Swiss students and institutions. Directly competes with Projekt Neptun's Apple product line on price and assortment, and is the manufacturer Projekt Neptun negotiates with.
• Dell Education: Dell's education program in Switzerland offering laptops and monitors with academic pricing. Competes with Projekt Neptun's Dell monitor and laptop lines.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/projektneptun
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCH5jxarvZDrg8P6VYKzIy4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/projektneptun
• Instagraminstagram.com/projektneptun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/projekt-neptun

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Projekt Neptun