Swiss Startup Day: Expansion upon request

The Swiss Startup Day will take place on 24 and 25 October. How many participants registered already?
As of today we have more than 320 registered participants. We have even more registration at this point of time than last year, a good sign for our new offering. (Update: In the meantime more than 600 participants registered, more then 750 one-to-one meetings are booked, and almost 300 participants registered for the first day, SK)

Is a new record in sight?
For us a new record of participant is not our goal. We are focussed on the quality of the participants.

Prices for the event are slightly higher than last year. However this does not have a deterrent effect. Why?
The reason is that the event is now 1 ½ days long. The Startups requested that we offer the high quality best practices not in parallel with other things happening at the event. So we offer now all Best Practices in half a day before the main event. This way we can offer more workshop choices (8), longer workshops (100 minutes) and Startups can sign up for 2 sessions.

Why does it need Best Practice sessions at all? Aren’t there enough courses for startup entrepreneurs?
Our Best Practice speakers are all working on a daily basis with Startups and are top experts in their field. To have them as speakers is of extreme value for Startups.

What do you think makes the Swiss Startup Day unique?
The quality of our offering, the execution of the event and the unique opportunity to meet all relevant players of the Swiss Startup Ecosystem. This is also the reason we are having the event in Bern.

Why should startups take part in the Pitching Competition? How many startups already registered for the two elevator pitches?
First, let me say that startups can still register for the Elevator Pitch until 23.9.2016. Startups must take the Elevator pitch to qualify for the battle. The Elevator Pitch itself is of course a great experience for Startups.
As we expect approx. 100 investors it is a great opportunity to get visibility. Furthermore we offer a free pitch training ahead of the event.

One to one meetings are one of the most popular element of the Swiss Startup Day. How many of them can take place this time?
The 1:1 Meetings fixtures will start 1^st of October. This year we will reduce the time of the Speed Dating and therefore our Startups will be able to have even more meetings. We also will have 100 Tables in the room. We might have more than the 720 meetings of last year.

There will be no keynote speech this time but two panel discussions. Why?
We believe there are enough keynote speeches given at many other events. We also believe that the new interactivity built in the new event App version, where participants can post questions during the panel, will add a lot of value to the panels.

What is the most important tip for start-ups to get the most out of the Swiss Startup Day?
Register now, get your Earlybird ticket and your Elevator Pitch slot in order to qualify for the Pitching Battle. Furthermore be ready to book the 1:1 meetings starting 1.10.2016, meaning have a great profile on our event site and check who else will be attending the event.

More information and registration on the Swiss Startup Day website.