Step Into the Spotlight: Startup Nights for Founders
Meet investors, pitch your ideas, network with corporates, and gain hands-on insights to power your startup growth.
what to expect
Benefits for you as a Founder
Startup Booth
Showcase your Startup
Showcase your startup to 8,500+ visitors with a branded booth in the exhibition area. Meet potential customers, investors, and partners.
Booth applications will open in summer 2026. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know!
Pitching competitions
Present your vision to leading investors
Take the stage and pitch your startup to a live audience and expert jury. This year, we are hosting three verticals: Impact Tech, Deep Tech, and Health Tech.
Compete for visibility, valuable feedback and exclusive prizes!
Applications will open in summer 2026. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know!
network
Connect with the right people
Launch Control presents
Co-Founder Matchmaking
Successful startups need strong teams. At our Co-Founder Matchmaking, we connect innovative founders with committed individuals!
Do you have a startup idea but lack a co-founder who completes your team? Or would you like to be part of an innovative project but don’t know where to start?
Then you’ve come to the right place: After quick 1-minute pitches, we move straight into speed networking. This allows you to quickly find out which startup suits you best. And maybe your next big adventure as a co-founder begins here!
- Friday 7 November
- 14:30 - 16:00
- Startup Nights
workshops
Learn from the best
Take part in founder-focused workshops delivered by experts in law, sales, marketing, and funding. Learn how to set up shareholder agreements, avoid legal pitfalls, build killer funnels, master storytelling, and sharpen your digital marketing. This is practical learning made for doers.
Keynotes & Panels
Get inspired by leaders
Our Main Stage features unicorn founders, serial entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. It’s your front-row seat to authentic stories, bold insights, and practical advice from people who’ve actually built the future.
Success Stories
Hear from our inspiring founders
A few years ago, Nicholas and Arshya met by chance in the bathroom at Startup Nights.
A short conversation led to a strong connection and eventually to founding their own company together.
Today, they are building a successful business and show how meaningful encounters can start in the most unexpected moments.
Ticket Pricing
Founder Ticket
- If you're participating in the Pitching Competition or showcasing your startup with a booth, you still need to purchase a Founder Ticket.
Founder
CHF 75
Excl. VAT
Includes:
- Ticket for both days
- Free drinks & food
- Access to matchmaking platform
- Access to workshops
- Separate application for Booth and Pitching Competition
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FAQs
Your most common questions, answered.
Do I have access to high-quality internet during the event?
Yes, free high-speed internet will be provided by our partner CISCO.
Who can I contact regarding equipment?
Our official partner is BEXPO. You can reach them directly via email (pascal.weilenmann@bexpo.ch) or phone (+41 79 966 40 95) for any equipment-related requests.
How can I reserve equipment for my booth?
To reserve equipment, please fill out the dedicated form provided here.
What can I bring to my booth?
You can bring anything you like to your booth as long as it fits within your assigned space. Please make sure to take any valuable items home with you overnight, as we cannot take responsibility for any loss or damage.
Where and until when can I apply for the pitching competition?
Applications for the Pitching Competitions will open in summer 2026. Stay tuned for updates!
Who is eligible to participate in the pitching competition?
Only Swiss-based startups are eligible to participate. You can find more information about the application criteria and the pitch deck requirements here.
Where and until when can I apply for a startup booth?
Applications for Startup Booths will open in summer 2026. Stay tuned for updates!
What equipment is included in the price of the booth?
One bar table and a 230V power outlet.
Find more information about startup booths here.
I need a visa to travel to Switzerland. Can Startup Nights provide an invitation letter?
Yes, we can provide a visa invitation letter once your tickets have been purchased.
To issue the letter, we kindly ask you to provide the following information to hello@startup-nights.ch:
Country of residency
Passport number
Full name (as in passport)
Date of birth
Company name
Your role
Once we have received this information and confirmed your ticket purchase, we will prepare and send you the invitation letter.
Where can I buy tickets for the event?
Tickets are currently unavailable. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when they go live!