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Pitch competition · Zurich, Switzerland

ZKB Pionierpreis Technopark

A yearly Swiss innovation prize for young technology start-ups close to market entry. A jury picks three finalists; the winner receives CHF 100,000 and each runner-up CHF 10,000 at a ceremony at Technopark Zurich.

Closed Run by Zürcher Kantonalbank and the Technopark Zurich Foundation

Apply on the programme's site Programme website

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

Terms

Funding
CHF 100,000 CHF 100,000 for the winner and CHF 10,000 for each runner-up
Instrument
Prize
Equity taken
not published
Programme fee
not published
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
not published
Stages
Pre-seed, seed
Sectors
Deep tech
Open to founders from
Switzerland, Liechtenstein
Perks
not published

Applications in English or German with a CV, team list, 3-4 page project description, business plan and patent list; reference letters are recommended. The jury's decision cannot be appealed. The 2027 award date is 11 May 2027 in the timeline and on the home page, and 12 May 2027 in the application text.

Application dates

ClosedPionierpreis 2027

Usual timing: Applications for the 2027 prize closed on 21 September 2026; three finalists are announced in March 2027 and the award ceremony is on 11 May 2027. Applications for the 2028 prize open after 13 May 2027.

Who can apply

  • Swiss companies, or students and academic staff at a university in Switzerland or Liechtenstein
  • Company founded, or biotech patents filed, no more than six years before 30 June of the award year (after 30 June 2021 for the 2027 prize)
  • Projects not yet incorporated may apply if the company will be founded the following year
  • A new technology (product, process or concept) at the frontier between science and industry
  • Stage: pre-seed, seed

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. The last window we track closed on 21 September 2026. Applications for the 2027 prize closed on 21 September 2026; three finalists are announced in March 2027 and the award ceremony is on 11 May 2027. Applications for the 2028 prize open after 13 May 2027.

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