MassChallenge Switzerland launches second program in the heart of Lausanne

MassChallenge is a four-month acceleration program designed to shape early stage startups from all sectors around the world without taking any equity stake in the startups. Last year, the MassChallenge program was launched for the first time in Switzerland, receiving 450 applications from startups across all industries in the world. 51 of the 70 selected startups for the first cohort were Swiss. Ten startups were selected in the finalists to present before the jury and 6 of them were declared the winners of the first edition. At the end of the 2016 edition, five international companies moved their activities in the canton of Vaud, accelerated companies raised almost 15 MCHF and more than 30 contracts were signed by the various entities.

Following the positive feedback from the participants and the successful series of events in first edition, the team from Masschallenge has kicked off the second edition of the program yesterday with an event in the heart of Lausanne. The Inartis Foundation brought together alumni, coaches and partners of MassChallenge Switzerland and involved a wider audience too.

"There is only a fine line between success and failure of start-up projects. The initial is neither good nor bad. The founders have to find an application field and to validate their idea quickly. In this stage, the ecosystem that surrounds the project is essential because it can fuel the development, accelerate its implementation and in this way increases the chance to succeed ", explains Benoît Dubuis, President of the Inartis Foundation and Founding Partner of MassChallenge Switzerland. "MassChallenge is valuable in this because it allows to offer to every idea bearer the best tools and connections to perform and create social and societal value, which is ultimately the main goal of innovation. The mission of the Inartis Foundation is to ensure that these connections are realized quickly and in the best possible conditions ".

For its second edition MassChallenge Switzerland is backed by seven founding partners including Barry Callebaut, Bühler, Inartis Foundation, GEA, Givaudan, Nestlé and Swiss Economic Forum. Within the framework of this program, 70 startups from all over the world will be accelerated for 4 months from June to October 2017. The objective is to welcome Swiss as well as projects from abroad.

Eligible to apply are startups with disruptive solutions for their area of focus, which have the potential to make an impact on humanity. Applying startups are required to have raised less than $500K in equity-based funding, generated less than $1M in revenue in the last 12 months, and are set to make a big impact in their industry or on the world.

Selected startups will join the four month acceleration program which will take place in Lausanne. Participants will also benefit from a comprehensive program involving workshops, events, mentoring and office hours, to enable them build their business insight within marketing, sales, pitching, finance, finding a co-founder, and more. In addition, they will have the opportunity to network with partners and mentors from other programs in Boston, UK, Israel, and Mexico.

Upon graduation, impact and high-potential startups will be selected and awarded a cash prize of up CHF 1 M, and no equity is taken.

Registration is now open. Start-ups can apply at the website of MassChallenge Switzerland.