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>>venture>> 2026 Kicks Off in Zurich and Lausanne: A Bold Start to New Edition

  • 2 days ago
  • 4 min read

We’ve officially launched >>venture>> 2026, and what a start it was! Two buzzing kickoff events in Zurich and Lausanne gathered the heart of Switzerland’s startup ecosystem: founders, mentors, investors, and supporters, all united by one goal to turn bold ideas into lasting impact. This year’s edition marks an exciting evolution for the competition, with refined verticals to better reflect the realities of Swiss innovation, and a brand-new Spotlight Award that celebrates creativity beyond boundaries.


Two Cities, One Purpose

Zurich and Lausanne each brought their own energy, but shared the same spirit of collaboration and curiosity that defines the >>venture>> community. Together, the two events welcomed more than 300 participants, a turnout that speaks to the growing strength and enthusiasm of Switzerland’s startup ecosystem. At both kickoffs, Lea Firmin, CEO of >>venture>>, opened the evening with an engaging presentation about the competition, sharing insights into its mission, structure, and the impact it continues to have on Switzerland’s entrepreneurial landscape.

 

At EPFL on October 2, Isabel Casado Harrington, Program Manager at the EPFL Venture Builder, opened the evening with a heartfelt welcome to all participants and partners. Her words set the tone for an inspiring night celebrating curiosity, courage, and collaboration within the Swiss startup community.


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She was followed by Tulipan Zollinger, founder of Zizania and Audience Award Winner of the 2023 >>venture>> edition. Tulipan shared the story behind his mission to revolutionize sustainable skincare by developing products based on upcycled and plant-based ingredients. His commitment to circular innovation and environmental impact deeply resonated with the audience, a beautiful example of how science, purpose, and entrepreneurship can thrive together.


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On October 21, we headed north to Zurich, where Frank Floessel, Head of ETH Entrepreneurship, welcomed guests and reflected on how the collaboration between Switzerland’s leading universities continues to shape the country’s innovation landscape.

 

The Keynote speaker was our 2025 Grand Prize Winner – Greta Preatoni, founder and CEO of Mynerva AG. Greta shared her remarkable journey from research to entrepreneurship, describing how her team developed Leia, a non-invasive neuroprosthetic that helps restore touch and relieve pain for people with diabetic neuropathy. Hearing her story was truly inspiring, a powerful reminder of how courage, persistence, and innovation can turn an idea into something that changes lives.



After the talks, our networking apéros transformed into a mix of conversation, laughter, and spontaneous collaboration. Founders connected with investors, mentors discovered new teams to support, and plenty of “you should meet…” moments unfolded across the room.

 

Network: The Not-So-Secret Ingredient

What truly powers >>venture>> isn’t just the startups, it’s the people behind them. Our network in Zurich and Lausanne showed once again that when passionate minds come together, Swiss innovation doesn’t just grow, it thrives:


What’s New in 2026 (and why it matters)


  1. Six refined verticals for sharper feedback

To better reflect the Swiss innovation dynamic, >>venture>> now evaluates across six revised industry verticals. Clearer lanes = more relevant jurors, mentors, and feedback:

  • ·Business & Finance

  • ·Consumer Solutions

  • ·Industrials & Engineering

  • ·Medtech & Healthcare

  • Pharma & Biotech

  • ·Social & Environmental Impact


  1. The Spotlight Award (CHF 50,000)

Alongside the main prizes, the Spotlight Award celebrates a theme each year, highlighting a venture that pushes boundaries in innovation. It’s open to all participants and awards CHF 50,000 non-dilutive on top of any vertical winnings.

  • How it works: Same application; your startup is automatically considered if it fits the annual theme.

  • 2026 Award: The current cycle shines a light on Swiss AI via Apertus, a homegrown open-source LLM effort from ETH Zurich, EPFL, and CSCS, underscoring how >>venture>> spotlights strengths and emerging platforms. 


Ready to Apply?

Applications are open from 1 October 2025 until 25 February 2026 (23:59 CET). Whether you’re building a breakthrough in industrial engineering, revolutionizing a consumer market, driving impact in healthcare or beyond, this is your moment to step into the spotlight. Discover our Playbook below to learn more about the process:

 

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Big Thank You

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us in Zurich and Lausanne: the energy, insights and connections you brought set the tone for what promises to be an exceptional edition of >>venture>>. We’re excited for what’s ahead and deeply grateful for the ecosystem that makes it all possible.


Stay tuned for our upcoming events, announcements and insights as the competition unfolds. The journey has just begun and we can’t wait to witness the remarkable ideas that will emerge.


Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X for live updates. And if you haven’t yet subscribed to our newsletter, now’s the time!






Photos and highlights by Valentin Flauraud and Marc Guerraz.

 
 
 

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