We've officially launched the latest edition of our startup competition, kicking off with two fantastic events in Zurich and Lausanne! Both gatherings brought together a dynamic blend of entrepreneurs, investors, and key players in Switzerland's innovation ecosystem, setting the tone for an exciting journey ahead. Here's a look at the highlights and the energy that marked the beginning of this year's competition.
We were honored to host Isabel Casado, Program Manager of the Venture Builder at EPFL, and Sybille Zimmermann, Senior Marketing & Communication Manager at ETH Entrepreneurship. Representing Switzerland's two premier engineering schools, Isabel and Sybille highlighted how the >>venture>> competition serves as a valuable opportunity for EPFL and ETH Zurich teams to take the critical step from research to industry, bridging academic innovation with real-world impact.
In both Zurich and Lausanne, selected founders took the stage to share their entrepreneurial journeys and highlight the unique challenges and triumphs they've faced. These "Founder Spotlights" included Carole Fonty of ALIEN Limited, Margaux Peltier of Enerdrape, and Moritz Pill of Borobotics GmbH. They all shared how the >>venture>> competition provided pivotal resources – from mentorship and funding to visibility and a strong network. They spoke about the challenges of early-stage growth and the moments when >>venture>>'s support helped them move forward.
Following the presentations, our networking apéros buzzed with energy as founders connected with investors, potential mentors, and other supporters of the Swiss startup ecosystem. Both events provided a unique opportunity for attendees to build valuable connections that could accelerate their paths to success. We were also pleased to host Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency, as an exhibitor at both events. With a dedicated booth, Innosuisse representatives provided invaluable information on their programs, which offer funding, coaching, and networking opportunities designed to accelerate startups' path to growth. Their presence at our kickoff events emphasized the collaborative effort to build a strong foundation for Swiss startups and showcased yet another resource that participants can access through the >>venture>> ecosystem.
The competition is just getting started! Applications are now open, and we're looking forward to discovering the next wave of innovative ideas. If you're a startup working on a tech breakthrough, a green solution, or a healthcare innovation, this is your opportunity to showcase your vision and compete with the best.
We couldn't have kicked off this edition without the support of our amazing network in Zurich and Lausanne. Their support is invaluable in building a platform that encourages and rewards Swiss innovation:
ZURICH | LAUSANNE |
Alexa Nodari Alexander Ginsburg Ana Soares Andreas Plüss Arnd Kaltofen-Ehmann Beat Walther Claudia Petersen Daniel Dillinger Daniel Haudenschild Donat Matthews Emanuele Marsili Fariba Hashemi Francis Kuhlen Gabriella Skala Georges Khneysser Jason Corkill Jeremias Jurt Julien Weissenberg Kurt Kronawittleithner Linda Nel Maija Vihma Mateo de Bardeci Nick Adamus Nikko Karlo Robles Peter Friedli Philipp Spaeti Ralph Forsbach Robert Schier Ronan Guirey Scott Herrick Stephan Schreckenberg Sven Remke Sybille Korrodi Tatjana Jendritzky Thomas Schurr Ulrich Hoffmann | Brigid O'Donovan Christian Mur Daniel Brandenburger Dhanesh Kothari Jérôme Mariéthoz Johanne Stettler Julia Tonetto Luca Del Medico Marcelo Alé Nanci Govinder Patricia Kroondijk Pedro Paiva Salvatore Bocchetti |
We leave you with a few photos from the evenings!
Photos by Mathias Delahaye and Marc Guerraz
Stay tuned for more updates, announcements, and insights as the competition unfolds. The journey has just begun, and we can't wait to see the remarkable ideas that will come out of this year's competition. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter for real-time updates, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop!
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