Youngsters – first seen at startup days
Experience a transformative journey with our refreshing pitching format: Youngsters. It is designed to discover Switzerland’s hidden startup gems who are on a promising track and ready to be shown to the world! Ventures in the seed or pre-seed phase will showcase their innovation on our national stage to approach investors and receive consultation from experts and valuable market insights.
Unlock hidden treasures to boost innovation in Switzerland!
Calling Youngsters to the spotlight
We’re on the lookout for Swiss innovators who fulfil the following facts:
- Your startup is in the seed or pre-seed phase and founded within the last 24 months.
- You are pursuing a scalable business model based on technology and innovation.
- DeepTech: Transform expensive research into groundbreaking solutions.
- AppliedTech: Showcase your general software or tech-based solutions.
- You have achieved initial success already, for example with the team, the service or product, financing or in the market.
Nominate a startup or directly apply yourself.
Effort rewarded
All applicants
- Fill in the application form.
All selected Youngsters
- Participate in the pitch training.
- Prepare yourself for the pitch on our national stage.
- Promote your participation at #SUD and publicise the session.
- Make time to join #SUD24 on 30 May 2024.
Apply now
All selected Youngsters
- Be present with your logo on our website and platform.
- Gain visibility within our community (newsletter and Social Media presence).
- Be trained to elevate your pitch to new heights.
- Access all #SUD24 participants on our app.
- Join the startup days on 30 May 2024 in Bern as our guest.
- Showcase your startup to the whole Swiss startup ecosystem in Bern.
- Network with key players like investors, enablers (mentors, coaches) and corporates.
- Gain insights in sessions.
Catch of the Jury
- Access the alumni group.
- Be featured in one podcast episode by Swisspreneur.
- Be our guest at the Secret Launch in the following year – our exclusive pre-event gathering for invited key players only.
Youngsters journey
Application window opens
Application window ends
Jury evaluates applications
Announcement: which Youngsters will pitch?
Pitch-Training #1
Participation is mandatory: Each startup can choose one preferred date (#1 or #2).
Pitch-Training #2
Participation is mandatory: Each startup can choose one preferred date (#1 or #2).
startup days: Youngsters live on stage in Bern
Announcement: “Catch of the jury”
The jury
Dr. iur. Thomas Bähler
Partner, Kellerhals Carrard; President Youngsters Jury
Franco Chicherio
CEO, TECHNOPARK® Luzern
Olivier Chuard
Founder and Chairman Of The Board at Nau Media AG (Ltd.), Member of the Board of Livesystems AG (Ltd.)
Dr. Manuel Fankhauser
CEO, Seerave Foundation
Maria Friedrich
Entrepreneurship Manager, ETH Zürich
Daniel Gerber
Corporate Development, Post CH Communication Ltd.
Dr. Dominik Isler
Co-Organizer, startup days
Fadoua Jemmali
Technology Consultant, Olive Oil Entrepreneur
Angus Muirhead
CFA, Managing Director, Head of Equities Credit Suisse Asset Management, Member of the Evaluation Board at the Wyss Foundation Switzerland
Dr. Siew-Veena Sahi
CEO & Founder, Testmate Health
Cédric Schlosser
Co-founder & CEO, MYI AG
Andrea Silberschmidt-Buhofer
Managing Partner, @EquityPitcher Ventures
Stefan Troller
Senior Vice President, Partner, Helbling Technik Bern AG
Prof. Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen
Professor and Director, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zurich
Youngsters FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for Youngsters?
Swiss startups in the seed or pre-seed phase founded within the last 24 months. The venture works in two key areas – DeepTech or AppliedTech – and can demonstrate an initial success, e.g. team, service/product, financing or market.
What are the focus areas for innovation in this format?
We welcome startups in two key innovation areas:
- DeepTech: solutions and products based on very expensive basic or applied research
- AppliedTech: general software or technology-based solutions
Can startups outside of Switzerland apply?
Currently, Youngsters is dedicated to startups within Switzerland. That means your startup is founded in Switzerland, your headquarter is in Switzerland or one of your founders is Swiss.
What’s the benefit for investors?
Investors will discover the latest newcomers with innovative ideas in the Swiss startup ecosystem. Explore ventures in seed or pre-seed phase founded within the last 24 months and which hasn’t been on any stage before.
What makes Youngsters different from other pitching events?
Youngsters focuses on early-stage startups who are on the market for not longer than 24 months. The startups have the chance to present their innovation for the first time to the whole Swiss startup ecosystem. Additionally, the refreshed pitching format provides Youngsters a platform to approach investors, gain visibility, and receive personalized feedback.
What criteria will the jury use to select the startups?
The jury selects young companies that stand out in a promising technology which is scalable, and at the same time the startup has already built up a motivated team.
What’s the “Catch of the Jury”?
Among the few startups selected to present their innovation on stage at the startup days, there are a handful of “catches” that particularly impressed the jury. We call this group “Catch of the Jury” and they are chosen after the live pitches and receive an extra portion of support, e.g. mentoring, coaching, alumni group, featuring in podcast, guest at the Secret Launch 2025.
Is there a fee to apply or participate?
No, there is no application or participation fee. We believe in providing equal opportunities for all qualifying startups.
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