Europe’s premier early-stage startup event is returning this year, taking place on March 20-21 at the Olma Hall in St. Gallen. With over 8,000 attendees expected, the event offers an extensive program focused on the theme: Europe’s Next Wave. Startups will have the chance to showcase their innovations at booths, as well as participate in hackathons and contests, with a chance to win up to CHF 30,000. Deadlines for program applications are still open.
START Summit is an annual startup conference organized by Student-led organization START Global. With about 8000 visitors attending in the past years, the event has grown to become a key platform to foster and celebrate entrepreneurship in Switzerland and across Europe. Last year, the event saw a record-breaking attendance of 7’000+ participants, including more than 1000 startups and 210+ speakers. It facilitated 10’000+ 1:1 meetings and provided vast networking opportunities among the attendees.
This year, the organizers will build on this success for three days, including side events from 19-21st March 2025. Anticipating hosting up to 8000 visitors, including 1000+ investors, the Summit revolves around the theme ‘Europe’s Next Wave’, bringing together key stakeholders from research, politics, and business to provide an optimistic and forward-looking view on how Europe can shape the future. While Europe's startup ecosystem has grown significantly over the past decade, it now faces a turning point. The theme "Europe's next wave" is thus crucial as it addresses the need for Europe to redefine its strategic direction in the face of market saturation, slowing innovation, and global challenges. The START Summit 2025 will help to spotlight emerging industries, address challenges, and foster discussions on how Europe can regain momentum and compete globally. By bringing together key stakeholders, the event aims to empower Europe's future in innovation and technology.
START Hack – 36 hours of coding and innovating
Besides the keynotes and panel talks, the Start Summit will host its annual Hackathon, START Hack. Held parallel to the summit (March 19-21), the hackathon brings together over 600 talented students, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts from around Europe for three days of coding and developing new solutions. The most outstanding idea will be awarded a cash prize of CHF 10’000. Registration closes on March 05, 2025.
START Summiteer and more competitions
The START Summiteer competition offers early-stage startups the opportunity to pitch their ventures to industry leaders, serial founders, and renowned VCs. Eligible to apply are startups founded in 2022 or later, raised less than CHF 500,000 in funding and have an independent legal entity. The applicant must have at least one ticket to attend the Summit. The application window is open until February 21, 2025. The winning team will take home a cash prize of CHF 10’000.
START Fair – showcase and expand your network
The Start Fair allows early-stage startups to present their products and service offerings to the audience, and attract investors, customers and partners while growing their network. This offer is available to startups that were founded in 2022 or later and received less than CHF 1 million in funding. Additionally, at least one ticket to the summit is required to apply for a free booth.
The detailed program and side events will be announced in the coming weeks.
(RAN)
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The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
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