Pioneers & Pancakes 2025
The exclusive brunch for Switzerland’s leading investors – presented by UBS, Wenger Vieli & SwissLife.
Friday, 7 November 2025 · 09:30–13:00
Eulachhallen, Leisure Area
Wartstrasse 73, 8400 Winterthur
What is it about?
Pioneers & Pancakes is the exclusive investor gathering of Startup Nights — an exclusive brunch that brings together around 170 personally invited guests for early access to the trade fair, ahead of the official opening.
Selected investors gain VIP entry to the Leisure Area at the heart of the venue — creating a quiet window for meaningful, peer-level exchange before the crowds and startups arrive.
VCs, angels, family offices, and corporate ventures meet in a private setting to:
- Discuss co-investments
- Develop new partnerships
- Explore joint strategies
Regional cuisine, inspiring keynotes, and targeted matchmaking round out the event.
What to Expect
A high-caliber morning among like-minded peers:
- Exclusive networking with VCs, angels, family offices & corporates
- Curated impulse sessions from experienced investors
- Insights into capital flows, investment culture & market perspectives
- Quality brunch with local specialties
- Optional matchmaking for targeted new connections
- Early access to the Startup Nights exhibition
Program
09:30 – 10:00: Arrival, coffee & croissants
10:00 – 10:05: Welcome by Michael Kubli (President ECW / Startup Nights)
10:05 – 10:10: Who’s Who with Thomas Dübendorfer, Serial Entrepreneur & President of SICTIC
10:10 – 10:25: Economic framework conditions for start-up companies in a multipolar world with Marc Brütsch (Chief Economist and Member of the Executive Committee at Swiss Life)
10:25 – 10:40: Swiss vs. European investing – A conversation with Adrian Locher (Merantix Founder & DeinDeal Co-Founder) & Lukas Weder (Founderful Partner & EAT.ch Co-Founder)
10:40 – 10:50: Interview with Jürg Schwarzenbach (Angel Investor & Die Höhle der Löwen Switzerland)
10:50 – 13:00: Brunch, networking & optional matchmaking
Participation & Access
Pioneers & Pancakes is invite-only. Participation is possible by personal invitation only.
Invited are active investors from:
- Venture capital
- Business angel clubs
- Family offices
- Corporate ventures
Secure Your Spot
Want to be part of it?
As an invited guest, you can secure your spot at Pioneers & Pancakes – Switzerland’s most exclusive startup investor gathering.
Simply get your Investor Ticket, which includes full access to both Startup Nights and Pioneers & Pancakes.
Ticket Pricing
Investor Ticket
Secure your spot at Startup Nights and Pioneers & Pancakes today!
Presented by UBS, Wenger Vieli & SwissLife and supported by Sictic, Founderful, Spicehaus Partners.
Investor (P&P)
CHF 195
Excl. VAT
Includes:
- Ticket for both days
- Free drinks & food
- Access to matchmaking platform
- Connect with all important ecosystem players in our VIP Lounge
- Access to Pioneers & Pancakes Brunch
Questions or interest?
We’re here to help you
Gabriel Riedo
Event Manager,
Pioneers & Pancakes
Basil Jung
Event Manager,
Pioneers & Pancakes