Meet the Experts Powering Our 2026 Pitch Training Day

This Saturday, >>venture>> semi-finalists will come together for a high-impact Pitch Training Day—a full-day program designed to help them sharpen their pitches and prepare for the next stage of the competition.

Bringing together an exceptional lineup of experts from the startup and innovation ecosystems, the day offers a unique opportunity to learn, practice, and receive valuable feedback. It's not just about improving a pitch―it's about building the confidence and clarity needed to stand out.

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Panel Discussion – Welcome & Understanding the Jury 2 Lens

We'll kick off the day by setting the stage for the second jury round. This session will unpack the competition context, pitch formats, and what different audiences―especially jurors―are looking for.

Through an interactive discussion, participants will gain:

• A clear understanding of the evaluation criteria

• Practical insights into what strong communication looks like

• Awareness of common pitfalls―and how to avoid them

• A sharper sense of what distinguishes top-performing pitches

  
  

This session will be led by Lea, Firmin, CEO of >>venture>>, Yannick Orto, Head of Communications at McKinsey & Company, and Andrew Loan, Communication expert and ex-McKinsey & Company.

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Workshop Sessions

Two specialized workshops will be offered during the day:

The Pitching Canvas

Led by: Stefan Huber – Innosuisse Coach & Storyteller

Focus: This session will introduce semi-finalists to the Pitching Canvas tool to help structure their story effectively. They will learn presentation slide best practices and craft a concise one-sentence description of their startup’s purpose.

Pitching to Persuade

Led by: Yannick Orto – Head of Communications at McKinsey & Company, and Andrew Loan – Communication expert, ex-McKinsey & Company Focus: Master the soft skills needed to command a room, including posture, volume, and hand gestures. Gain strategies for handling challenging questions during the Q&A portion of the second jury round.

Startups will have the opportunity to practice the opening of their pitch with McKinsey in breakout sessions.

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The Jury – 21 Experts Offering Feedback and Guidance

At the heart of the day is a 5-minute practice pitch, delivered in front of our expert jury.

These jurors are not just there to listen―they're there to challenge, guide, and provide meaningful, constructive feedback to help our semi-finalists elevate their pitch for Jury Round 2. We're proud to welcome a diverse group of experts with interdisciplinary experience across multiple sectors:

• Alexander Ginsburg (B&F / CS)

• Brigid O'Donovan (I&E / S&EI)

• Christoph Frechen (CS)

• Daniel Brandenburger (I&E / S&EI)

• Daniel Haudenschild (B&F / CS)

• Dhanesh Kothari (B&F / S&EI / CS)

• Donat Matthews (I&E / S&EI)

• Feride Cengelli (M&H / P&B)

• Francis Kuhlen (I&E / CS)

• Gilles Burnier (B&F / M&H)

• Günther Eberhard (I&E / P&B)

• Hannes Baumgartner (B&F / I&E)

• Maija Vihma (I&E)

• Michele Scheidegger (CS / S&EI)

• Nanci Govinder (M&H / I&E)

• Nicolas Lehmann (CS / I&E)

• Nikko Karlo Robles (B&F / S&EI / I&E)

• Raoul Bloch (I&E / B&F / M&H)

• Rémi Charrier (M&H)

• Ritalba Lamendola (I&E / S&EI / P&B)

• Ruedi Gygax (P&B / I&E / M&H)

• Stefan Blarer (P&B / M&H)

• Thais Affonso (I&E / S&EI / P&B)

• Thomas Vonwil (I&E)

• Véronique Stephan (CS / S&EI)

Pitch Training Day is more than just preparation — it’s a pivotal moment. A chance for >>venture>> semi-finalists to refine their message, gain confidence, and expand their network.

It’s a chance to test ideas in a low-pressure setting, get honest feedback, and connect with peers and experts who understand the journey.

One thing is certain: whether on stage or over apéro, the connections made today will echo well beyond the competition — as sources of insight, encouragement, and future collaboration.