Top accelerators and startup programs in Switzerland

If you're building in deep tech, digital health, fintech, or sustainability, the Swiss ecosystem offers a diverse range of accelerators and incubators tailored to meet the needs of early-stage companies. Each one serves a specific niche, from university spin-offs and science-backed ventures to AI, quantum, and medtech startups.

In today’s article, we’ve selected ten of the most well-known accelerators and startup programs operating in Switzerland today. Among them, founders can find opportunities for mentorship, corporate partnerships, global market access, and even a source of capital.

1. Venture Kick

‍Venture Kick is a philanthropic startup accelerator based in Switzerland. It supports early-stage startups, particularly those emerging from universities, through a structured three-stage funding program that spans approximately nine months.

The program begins with a CHF 10,000 grant designed to help teams validate their business ideas. Startups that advance through all three stages can receive up to CHF 150,000 in total funding. In addition to this, they may also be eligible for follow-on investments—up to CHF 850,000 from the Kickfund and another CHF 150,000 through an InnoBooster grant.

Venture Kick also provides practical support beyond funding. This includes coaching, pitch training, and “Kickers Camps,” where participants work directly with experienced entrepreneurs. Startups also receive feedback from expert juries and gain access to a network of over 200 investors and industry professionals, as well as opportunities for media visibility.

2. MassChallenge Switzerland

‍MassChallenge Switzerland is a zero-equity, early-stage accelerator based in Renens. It's part of the globally recognized, nonprofit MassChallenge network. At the end of their program, startups compete for a significant share of prize money, up to CHF 1M in total, without having to give up equity.

Participants gain guidance from a curated network of over 400 industry experts and corporate partners, including companies such as Royal DSM, General Mills, and Louis Dreyfus Company. The program typically runs for about four months, blending on-site workshops in Renens with online sessions, making it accessible to startups from around the world.

Check out also: Celebrating 15 Years of MassChallenge: A Retrospective

3. Kickstart Innovation

‍Kickstart Innovation is a zero‑equity, open‑innovation platform based in Zurich that unites startups, corporates, cities, universities, and foundations to drive collaborative innovation through deep-tech and sustainability.

The program begins with large-scale hackathons to surface fresh ideas, continues with 3–4 day team sprints for idea validation and prototyping, and concludes with a 10-week Intrapreneurship validation program for strong ideas to grow internally or launch externally.

4. DART Labs

‍DART Labs, also known as DART Ventures, is a Zurich-based early-stage accelerator and venture capital firm that supports European startups in health and climate tech. It runs a 12-month acceleration program designed to help founders build strong strategies, shape team culture, prepare for fundraising, and expand into the U.S. market. The program includes daily coaching, access to a shared workspace in Zurich, and personalized support that integrates closely with each startup team.

Startups selected for the program typically receive seed investments ranging from CHF 200,000 to CHF 500,000 in exchange for 3–7% equity, which also covers the value of the accelerator services. DART operates across Zurich and San Francisco, giving startups access to a transatlantic network of investors, corporate partners, and events. It focuses on deep-tech ventures working on AI-driven health solutions, sustainable climate technologies, and innovations in energy and decarbonization.

5. Seedstars

‍Seedstars is a global accelerator and investment platform based in Geneva, focused on supporting early-stage startups in emerging and frontier markets. It operates programs across over 90 countries, offering tailored support such as boot camps, one-on-one mentoring, and KPI sessions to help startups achieve product-market fit and secure their first customers. The organization combines local expertise with a global network to connect founders to international capital and opportunities.

Seedstars also invests directly through Seedstars Capital, with dedicated funds targeting regions like Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Startups can access coworking hubs, such as Seedspace, in cities like Geneva, Lima, and Abidjan, and participate in global competitions like Seedstars World, where finalists can win up to USD 500,000 in equity funding.

5. Axelra

‍Axelra is a Zurich-based tech venture builder and accelerator that works with startups from idea through to scaling. Founded in 2019, Axelra offers a modular program structure, ranging from short sprints, such as PowerWeek, to 200-day journeys, to help teams quickly develop, validate, and launch products. Its approach combines strategic investment with hands-on support, often contributing up to 50% of a venture’s build cost in the form of sweat equity.

Since launch, Axelra has helped accelerate over 45 companies, co-created 20 startups, and contributed to the creation of more than 250 jobs. In 2024, it was ranked #1 in Switzerland and #32 in Europe by the Financial Times for its role in scaling early-stage tech companies.

6. Fongit‍

FONGIT, which originates from Fondation Genevoise pour l’Innovation Technologique, is a nonprofit incubator based in Geneva that supports tech-focused startups in fields such as ICT, advanced engineering, and life sciences. It offers a long-term incubation program that typically spans around three years, including personalized coaching, legal and administrative support, pitch training, and access to a strong local network. 

FONGIT provides financial support through the FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF), offering grants of up to CHF 50,000 for early-stage investments, convertible seed loans of up to CHF 100,000, and growth loans of up to CHF 400,000. The incubator has supported over 220 startups, contributed to the creation of more than 1,800 jobs, and helped portfolio companies raise over CHF 1 billion in follow-on funding.

7. DayOne Accelerator

‍DayOne Accelerator is a digital health and medtech accelerator based in Basel, Switzerland, and part of the Basel Area initiative. It supports early-stage startups, especially those focused on pharmaceutical research and development, with a 12-week hybrid program that combines in-person and online elements. The program runs from September to December and includes a Basel-based bootcamp, weekly mentoring, educational sessions, and an Innovation Showcase to close out the cycle.

Startups participate without giving up equity or paying fees, and some travel costs are covered. Founders receive over 12 hours of one-on-one mentoring from industry experts at leading pharma companies like Novartis, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson. After the main program, up to three selected startups can receive CHF 50,000 in non-dilutive funding, workspace for six months at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel, and potential follow-on investment from DayOne’s partner network. The program is aimed at ventures from Pre-Seed to Series A with under $10 million raised.

8. Innosuisse

Innosuisse is Switzerland’s federal innovation agency, focused on supporting science- and research-driven startups, SMEs, and institutions with non-dilutive funding, coaching, and global market access. It offers several funding programs, including Innovation Project Grants that cover 50–70% of project costs for collaborations with Swiss academic partners, and Swiss Accelerator Grants that can provide up to CHF 2.5 million per startup. 

Additional funding tools include Innovation Cheques (up to CHF 15,000) for feasibility studies and the Flagship Initiative for large-scale, interdisciplinary projects. Startups can also access structured coaching through Innosuisse’s voucher system: CHF 10,000 for Initial Coaching, CHF 50,000 for Core Coaching, and CHF 75,000 for Scale-up Coaching. 

9. QAI Ventures Accelerator

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QAI Ventures Accelerator is a Basel-based program explicitly focused on startups working in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. It supports early-stage ventures from both Europe and North America, offering a 12-month accelerator that includes CHF 200,000 in combined cash and in-kind support. Startups receive free workspace at Uptown Basel and QuantumCity Calgary, along with access to advanced AI tools and quantum hardware, enabling them to build and test deep-tech solutions in a practical setting.

The program begins with a four-week on-site immersion, followed by customized workshops, masterclasses, and mentoring tailored to each startup’s technical and business goals. Founders work closely with top-tier experts in AI and quantum, and are introduced to a broad network of academic and industry partners.

10. Founder Institute Zurich

Founder Institute Zurich is the Swiss chapter of the global pre-seed accelerator founded in Silicon Valley in 2009. It runs a 14-week, part-time Core Program designed for early-stage founders, helping them develop their business ideas through structured sprints, weekly pitch sessions, and personalized office hours. 

The program is tailored for idea-stage and pre-seed entrepreneurs aiming to clarify their vision, validate their business model, and prepare for initial funding rounds. Led by experienced local leaders in sectors like tech, fintech, and foodtech, the Zurich chapter connects founders to a global network of over 35,000 mentors and investors.

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This article is part of a series that presents the top startup incubators and accelerators across Europe. Stay tuned for more!