Forum EPFL 2016: a free recruiting fair for start-ups to meet job candidates

The Start-Up Day is a fully integrated module of the Forum EPFL, the largest recruitment fair in Switzerland, during which entrepreneurs, start-ups, investors and future EPFL engineers establish a first contact. The main objective for this day is to bring entrepreneurs together from all over Europe to enable them find their next intern, co-worker, business partner or investor and to facilitate the transition for students between studies and the job market.

Last year over, the Forum hosted 15’000 participants including more than 150 companies, 50 start-ups and 20 universities. Start-ups that attended last year provided a positive feedback about the event; "Cool event, the opportunity to meet talented young engineers and fellow entrepreneurs!" (Cliques). "Why go back to the Start-Up Day: ease of registration and implementation, usability between the" exhibitors “, (SCI-Consulting).

This year the EPFL Forum celebrates its 34th anniversary and remains the largest job fair in Europe. The event will take place October 12, 2016 in the SwissTech Convention Center, to provide a favourable setting for companies, start-ups and students.

Free booths for start-ups
The startup Day is dedicated particularly to start-ups. On this day participating start-ups will have the chance set up booths to show chance their companies to the visitors and meet talented engineers seeking job vacancies. Booths, lunch and closing cocktail are offered to start-ups for free of charge.

In addition, conferences will be held throughout the day to kindle the attention of all entrepreneurs: success start-up stories from Europe will be told, Antoine Baschiera, CEO and co-founder of EarlyMetrics, will enlighten attendees on the merits of rising start-ups and Dominic Liechti, Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Khan Academy Lab School will meticulously examine innovation in education. Participation is also free.

Student pitching contest and start-up pitch presentations
This year the event has organised a pitch contest toallow students, PhDs and young post-graduates to present their innovative concepts to the audience and to help settle their idea into a concrete and prospering start-up. “Much is done all over Switzerland for start-up at the "garage" level or for start-ups that already have a prototype. We want this contest to reach out the entrepreneurs a step before these“, says Océane Jousset, Forum EPFL Spokesperson for start-ups. Registration for the contest opens on July 10 and closes September 1, 2016. Similarly, start-ups will present their project and goal within 5 minutes to give students and the audience at large an insight about their business.

Registration for Start-up Day is open until September 1, 2016.