Switzerland
Switzerland
Leading Innovation
Since 2016, MassChallenge Switzerland has been a leader in helping startups across Europe grow their businesses by accelerating 610 startups across multiple industries that have raised more than $985M in funding. Our flagship program is the early-stage startup accelerator, which accepts startups from any industry, and in 2023 will be comprised of the agnostic program and 4 industry-specific tracks: Sustainable Food, Sustainable Industry, Climate Solutions and HealthTech.
In addition to the accelerator, MassChallenge Switzerland runs a Challenge program matching later-stage startups with corporate partners in the food industry: The Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge. More info here.
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At a Glance
610
Startups supported
985M
Funding raised in CHF
29K+
Jobs created
8.3M
CO2e Tonnes p.a. removed/ avoided
In the News
New 2023 Startup Accelerator Program, Alongside Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize
Key Dates
Program Benefits
We only accept startups whose solution will add value to society (for example, Millions of Tones CO2 eq. removed/avoided, Millions of Litres of water saved, lives saved), and all startups in the accelerator will be advised about how to make their business climate responsible and must intend to offset their emissions or actively reduce GHG to be considered. We’ve asked our cohort if they would recommend the program to other startups; in 2022, the average score was 9+ out of 10, from 99 responses.
To maximize their benefit from the program, Startups will need to travel and be present in Switzerland for our Boot-Camp and Half-Time activities. These events generate connections and facilitate collaboration with our partners, mentors and investors. The remainder of the program operates online.
Participants gain access to:
- Unrivaled access to 15+ global corporate partners including Nestlé, Bühler, Givaudan, DSM, Louis Dreyfus Company, General Mills, Südzucker, Ricola, PMI, Bystronic, SMC, Georg Fischer – totalling over CHF 260 billion in revenue
- World class mentoring from 400+ experts and tailored programming provided with no equity taken in return
- The opportunity to compete for up to CHF 1M in non-dilutive cash prizes and other in-kind awards
-
For Food and Climate focused startups, an additional cash prize of CHF 100k no-strings-attached for the Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize.
- Switzerland-specific advice on regulations and tax, easy access to the EU market, and strong trade links
- A proven model that has helped more than 65% of finalists raise funds during or immediately after the program
Bloom & Barry Callebaut Lead the Biomass Revolution
Barry Callebaut teamed up with MassChallenge and startup Bloom Biorenewables Ltd to investigate how side streams from chocolate manufacturing processes could support the fight against climate change and help us to become carbon positive by 2025. Read more>>
Switzerland Industry Tracks
Our tracks operate as part of the MassChallenge Switzerland accelerator program and select early-stage startups will receive additional specialized support and resources from our partners, mentors and VCs that will help startups grow their businesses.
Startups interested in participating in the tracks can apply via the 2023 MassChallenge Switzerland accelerator application form, which will open on January 18, 2023.
Startups can be from any geography and should select the relevant track of interest in the application form. Startups DO NOT need to be in any of these industries to apply to MassChallenge Switzerland. Industry Tracks are simply an option. In 2023, Switzerland’s tracks include:
Sustainable Food Track
Brings together the largest multi-national food corporations, world-class mentorship from food experts, and tailored curriculum focused on sustainability, food and packaging to accelerate the impact of startups working in agriculture, food, & animal feed.
Sustainable Industry Track
Advances startups that support industry to cut energy and/or water consumption, minimize waste, embed circulatory principles, employ new materials & polymers, and utilize new technologies to enhance both physical and digital operational efficiency. Startups will connect with industrial companies & independent experts to discuss how their solutions can be brought to market.
Climate Solutions Track
For startups from any industry who have solutions that can reduce GHG emissions. We are especially interested in startups who have technologies that can help our partners in agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Startups will get access to our partners and help from experts to grow their business.
HealthTech Track
Leverages Switzerland’s strong heritage in med-tech, life sciences, social-care and education to help startups improve their propositions in this sector.
"2022 was a record for us – 58% of startups exceeded/hit their ingoing accelerator objective; and startups scored us with their highest ever satisfaction score. We also gained across the ecosystem to enable our entrepreneurs to be 'climate responsible.' We hope this becomes the new normal for accelerators, so that startups are strategically positioned to reduce emissions and benefit society as they scale,”
- Matt Lashmar, Managing Director MassChallenge Switzerland
MassChallenge Switzerland Experts
Our Network of Swiss Experts is made up of over 1000 committed experts each year, closely working on evaluating and mentoring startups.
- Entrepreneurs in Residence are experts asigned to supervise all mentors and work with startups on a regular basis.
- Over 500 judges are right now carefully evaluating our 2023 applications; we will know the round 1 results by the end of March. Stay tuned!
Emmi Kavander
Kavanders & Co.
Mentor of the Year 2022
Marco Iotti
Bioloopers Inc
Entrepreneur in Residence
Patrick Pestalozzi
MindMaze
Entrepreneur in Residence
Cara Tobin
Clean Energy Venture Group
Entrepreneur in Residence
Diamond Partners
Gold Partners
In-Kind Partners
