START Summit 2018: Five technologies in focus

START Summit is Europe’s leading conference for entrepreneurship and technology designed to shape a new generation of entrepreneurs in times of technological changes who solve society’s challenges and take advantage of the new opportunities arising. The event has seen a growth over the years. To-date, organiser’s comprising of student volunteers from the University of St. Gallen, count more than 2’000 attendees from over 80 nations. These include more than 1’000 students, 450 (mostly early stage) founders, 150 investors, and like-minded individuals. START Summit 2018 takes place on the 15th/16th of March 2018 at the OLMA Hallen St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Focus on five technologies
The event will focus mainly on Blockchain, Virtual / Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things. Each technology will be held on its own “track” for half a day. This year, the conference will also dive deeper into HealthTech, where Switzerland has one of its best positions in the market and many Swiss startups are active in digital health. Some of the speakers have aready been confirmed.

Additionally, a wide array of activities have been included on the agenda such as 1-to- 1 meetings, workshops, background sessions, speed-dating and networking events. These will bring relevant stakeholders together to enable discussions about the current tech and startup scene, get the most out of the conference and create collaboration- and investment opportunities besides getting hands-on experience. The event gives participants the opportunity to try out- and get in touch with the technologies such as Augmented and Virtual Reality, Internet of Things and robotics, leading to a closer relationship between participants and the technologies.

More stages, more venue space
START Summit is growing again, not only in the number of participants, but in stages and in the venue. Instead of two, the speakers at START Summit 2018 will present of three stages. In addition, a third hall will be added to the conference venue increasing the space by 50%.

More prize money for the Start Summiteer
Like every year, START Summit will in 2018 find its best early-stage startup through the main pitching competition: START Summiteer. The best 30 startups at START Summit will compete in 3 rounds against each other, with professional, and high-profile investors deciding who will make it to the next round. The grand final will take place on the Main Stage where the winner will be bestowed with a cash prize of CHF 25’000, 5’000 more than last year.

The second pitching format is START Factor where young founders and even students can pitch their projects. The audience will use the live event app to vote up or vote down a contestant pitching a company. With too many down-votes, the spotlight and microphone will be shut down.

Registration is now open.

 (ran)