We’ll open the application window for the next pitching opportunity in December 2025 until 15 March 2026. Stay tuned – we’ll announce it in our newsletter and social media. Get an application altert here.

• Promising tech startup: Your startup has an evident scaling potential in the tech sector.
  • Tech sector refers to startups based on scientific and technological innovations that aim to solve fundamental challenges through breakthrough discoveries (Deep-Tech) or create practical applications for everyday use (Applied Tech).
• Stage: Your startup is in the pre-seed or seed phase and has been recently or is about to be founded. The founding date will be requested and used as a reference.
• Track record: Your startup must have either a pre-MVP or an MVP that demonstrates a clear problem-solution fit.
• Swiss location: Your startup must be based in Switzerland or intend to establish a base in Switzerland.
• Full commitment: Your founders must be fully dedicated and passionate about their startup.

A promising tech startup refers to startups based on scientific and technological innovations that aim to solve fundamental challenges through breakthrough discoveries (DeepTech) or create practical applications for everyday use (AppliedTech):

• DeepTech: solutions and products based on very expensive basic or applied research
• AppliedTech: general software or technology-based solutions

Newcomers is dedicated to startups within Switzerland. That means your startup is founded in Switzerland, your headquarter is in Switzerland or you intent to found your startup in Switzerland.

For investors, the “Newcomers” format offers a unique opportunity to discover and engage with early-stage, high-potential tech startups before they scale. Investors gain direct access to innovative founders, exclusive networking sessions, and a curated group of startups with breakthrough solutions. It’s a chance to connect with emerging talent and be part of the next big success in the Swiss startup ecosystem.

What makes “Newcomers” stand out from other pitching events is its exclusive focus on early-stage startups in the pre-seed to seed phase, particularly those from the DeepTech / AppliedTech sector with proven, innovative concepts. Unlike traditional pitching events, Newcomers targets startups that have already demonstrated early traction with a prototype or MVP, offering them their first national stage to showcase their ideas. The platform is designed for newly founded or soon-to-be-founded startups in Switzerland, with a clear emphasis on market-ready potential, excluding more established scale-ups.

The following objective criteria are used to select the startups for the “Newcomers” pitching format:

• Eligibility: Startups must meet the defined participation criteria.
• Document review: Submitted documents will be checked for completeness.
• Exclusion of last year’s edition: The 18 pitching startups from the previous years (2024 & 2025) are not eligible.
• Comparative status: The startup’s progress and potential will be assessed relative to other applicants.

The jury evaluates the pitching startups by the following creteria:

• Product-Solution Fit: How clearly does the startup solve a real, validated problem? How is their solution protected/ unique?
• Business Model Viability: How compelling and scalable is the startups revenue model?
• Market Opportunity: How large and accessible is the target market, and how well is the startup positioned to capture it?
• Traction and Momentum: What evidence is there of user adoption, revenue, partnerships or other traction?
• Vision and Differentiation: How clearly does the startup solve a real, validated problem?
• Team Strength: How strong is the founding team?

Among the 18 startups selected to present their innovation on stage at the startup days, there are 3 Runners up that particularly impressed the main jury during the pitches the most. They are chosen in the afternoon of the startup days. At that point the three Runners up will pitch their innovation again on the Center Stage in front of the whole audience for a chance to be voted as “the Best in Class 2026”. Also they will be featured in the Swisspreneurs podcast and invited as guest at the Secret Launch 2027.

After the three Runners up are announced in the afternoon, they will all pitch on the centre stage in front of the entire audience. The public will then vote live for their favourite pitch and innovation. The selected startup will be announced as the ‘Best in Class 2026’.

No, there is no application or participation fee. We believe in providing equal opportunities for all qualifying startups.