Deadline Boldbrain Startup Challenge

The program, promoted by Fondazione Agire in collaboration with USI Startup Centre, offers three months of intensive acceleration designed to help entrepreneurial teams structure their projects and gain access to a qualified network of experts and partners.

Boldbrain Startup Challenge is open to startups from any sector, as long as they are in the early stages and eager to develop and strengthen their business model. There are no industry restrictions, but the focus is on originality, scalability, and the motivation to grow the project in Ticino. The program runs from September to December 2025, and includes training sessions, one-on-one coaching, and strategic networking opportunities. It ends in December with a celebration event during which prizes worth more than CHF 215’000 will be awarded.

Also in 2025, Boldbrain confirms its commitment to sustainability, through the structured integration of a thematic workshop developed in collaboration with Impact Hub Ticino, as well as new measures aimed at making the entire program more environmentally and socially conscious.

To learn more about the accelerator, an InfoDAY will be held on May 7 at Locanda della Masseria in Lugano, a chance to meet the organizing team, program alumni, and potential applicants. Participation is free of charge, but registration is required via the official website www.boldbrain.ch

Key numbers

• CHF 120,000 in cash prizes
• CHF 80,000 in in-kind prizes
• Training: 6 workshops
• 600 hours of coaching
• 90 days of acceleration
• 20 selected startups
• 20 coaches
• 6 thematic workshops

The accelerator is a program of Fondazione Agire, organized in close collaboration with the USI Startup Centre and a network of competent partners who contribute to the success of the program. The program will take place between August and November 2024 and conclude with the final award ceremony, scheduled for December the 4th, at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano.