Kickstart Innovation

An initiative of Impact Hub Zürich and launched by digitalswitzerland, Kickstart is one of Europe's largest zero equity, multi-corporate ecosystem innovation platforms that run a scale-up program for later-stage startups with a goal to accelerate deep tech innovation. It is building an ecosystem that brings together high-growth startups, corporates, cities, foundations, and universities. To that end, each year Kickstart brings around 100 startups to Switzerland to collaborate with key players for proofs-of-concept, pilot projects, and other innovation partnerships. The program is free of charge (no fees, no equity) for the ventures, and it provides exceptional access to the executives and decision-makers of Kickstart's partners. Today, Kickstart runs 5 verticals (EdTech & New Work, FinTech & InsurTech, Food & Retail Tech, SmartCity & Technology, HealthTech), one Intrapreneurship program, and the Circular Economy Initiative.