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Pitch competition · Pratteln, Switzerland

Swiss Innovation Challenge

An eight-month innovation programme and competition for startups and SMEs based in Switzerland. Up to 100 projects get seminars, coaching and mentoring across three pitch rounds, with prize money of up to CHF 32,500.

Open · closes 31 Mar 2027

Apply on the programme's site Programme website

Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published Prize money of up to CHF 32,500; the full package of prize money, coaching, seminars and marketing is valued at up to CHF 60,000
Instrument
Prize
Equity taken
not published
Programme fee
not published
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
not published
Stages
not published
Sectors
Sector-agnostic
Open to founders from
Switzerland
Perks
  • Up to six coaching sessions with experts
  • Twelve half-day seminars in German and/or English
  • Mentoring with experienced entrepreneurs
  • Marketing, PR and media attention
  • Networking events

The 2027 pitch rounds are 31 May to 2 June 2027, 2-3 September 2027 and the final pitch on 22 October 2027. The dates page gives the kick-off as 13 April 2026 and the award ceremony as 25 November with a mistyped year; confirm both with the organiser.

Application dates

Open · closes 31 Mar 2027SIC 2027

Who can apply

  • Start-ups, established companies and institutions such as public bodies or associations with headquarters in Switzerland
  • An innovation planned for the near future, or an innovative step taken within the last two calendar years
  • Projects submitted in a Swiss national language or English; the competition is limited to 100 projects
  • In-person attendance in Pratteln for the second and final pitches
  • Innovations that have already won a prize in the Swiss Innovation Challenge are excluded

What founders should check

  1. The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
  2. It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
  3. It does not say whether it runs in person or remotely. Ask before you plan a move.
  4. Applications are open until 31 March 2027.

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