SWITZERLAND'S LEADING STARTUP COMPETITION · SINCE 1997
Apply in one evening. Win up to CHF 150,000.
Free to enter. No equity taken. The 2027 competition opens October 1 with a short application, no business plan required.
ALUMNI COMPANIES
1,500+
JOBS CREATED
15,000+
CHF 600k
AWARDED YEARLY
0%
EQUITY TAKEN
HOW IT WORKS
The steps between you and the stage
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Apply
Oct 1 – Nov 30, 2026
A short online application: team, idea, why it matters. Most founders finish in one evening.
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Reach the Top 200
Announced Jan 25
Build your full plan with input from our Playbook and Experts 1-on-1 sessions.
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Live Semi-finals
May 2027
60 Semifinalists pitch live to Jury 2. Real questions, real stakes. Top 18 advance to finals.
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Finals & Awards
Jun 22, 2027 · ETH Zurich
18 Finalists pitch for the Grand Prize, six vertical Winners, Spotlight Award, and audience favorite. One unforgettable evening.
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...
Here's what our network and alumni have to say
"Win or not, >>venture>> gets you in front of every jury and mentor in the Swiss startup scene, and the feedback you walk away with is worth more than the prize money."
Jeremy Suchet, CEO of Birds & Co.
Social & Environmental Impact Finalist, 2026