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We’re START Global — thought leaders and program providers for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We believe in equal opportunities for all and dedicate our time and resources, with the help of our valued partners, to equip the next generation of entrepreneurs with the knowledge base, tools, networking contacts and technical know-how to get their big ideas off the ground.

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FAQ

START SUMMIT
START HACK
START FELLOWSHIP

FAQ

START SUMMIT

WHERE WILL START SUMMIT 2023 TAKE PLACE?

START Summit 2023 will take place in the Olma Halls in St Gallen on 23rd-24th March 2023. For our investors, media and partners, we will have our special 0-Day! 

WHERE CAN I REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE PLATFORM?

Being registered in our online platform is the key to experiencing Summit to its fullest! After buying your ticket, you’ll receive your registration link in an email. The platform will open on 6th March so that you can schedule meetings and register for formats and events, so make sure you’re signed up in good time, and don’t forget to download the mobile app prior to your visit!

CAN I SCHEDULE MEETINGS IN ADVANCE?

Yes – pre-scheduling your meetings is an important part of making sure you can enjoy a productive START Summit. You can use the filter to differentiate between nationality, industry and job, and you’ll be able to book your meetings in our online platform or within the app.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE START SUMMIT TEAM?

Getting in touch with our team is really easy – all you need to do is send us an email at growth@startsummit.ch and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

DO I NEED TO REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS?

Yes, due to limited seats in our workshop sessions, you’ll have to be quick and register before they’re all taken. You can register for workshops via our online platform.

START HACK

WHAT HAPPENS AT A HACKATHON?

A hackathon is an “invention marathon” in which teams collaborate to turn crazy ideas into real projects within a tight time limit. At our hackathon, teams of 2-4 collaborate over 36 hours to challenge the status quo, fulfill prize challenges, and create meaningful impact. We provide software, mentors, fun activities, speakers, workshops, buckets of coffee and so much more. You take care of hacking, we’ll take care of you.

WHAT MAKES START HACK UNIQUE?

START Hack is Europe’s most entrepreneurial hackathon, and this is what makes it stand out. We place a huge emphasis on fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in every one of our attendees, with the main ambition being to spark thinking and creativity that extends far beyond the Hack weekend. This is why we encourage students from business or tech backgrounds to apply.

WHEN IS START HACK?

START Hack 2023 will take place 22nd-24th March 2023, kicking off in the late afternoon. 

You might have noticed this is a mid-week event rather than a weekend, and that’s for good reason. Stay tuned for some exciting news!

DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO CODE?

Nope! START Hack is open to anyone interested in technology and building awesome things, which requires more than just being able to code. We encourage students and young professionals of all backgrounds to apply.

We’ll have a whole host of exciting workshops and resources for participants of all levels, so you can learn more about programming, entrepreneurship, prototyping and much more.

IS THERE AN ADMISSION FEE?

Thanks to our generous sponsors and partners, admission will be free! This includes food, drinks, mentors, workshops, swag, and an unforgettable experience.

CAN I ATTEND START SUMMIT AS A HACKER?

Every hacker will get free access to the Summit! However, you must take into consideration that the START Hack and the START Summit take place at the same time. Therefore, you won’t have much time to visit the Summit as a Hacker.

START FELLOWSHIP

IS THE PROGRAM FREE?
Yes, we don't charge anything for the 3-month online program. During the six-month offline program, we’ll cover all the basic costs of the stay here in Switzerland. Additionally, participants of the offline program get access to small funds needed for a prototype, for example. Together with the support of our partners, we will cover your costs throughout your participation in the program. This includes travel, accommodation, living and support for start-up related expenses.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN JUST ONE OF THE TWO PROGRAMS?
You don't need to register to the offline program in Switzerland to join the online program session. When the spots are limited, we’ll give priority to the applicants of the full program. 
AT WHAT STAGE DOES MY START-UP NEED TO BE FOR ME TO BE ELIGIBLE?
You must have a working MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to be eligible for START Fellowship. From an MVP, we expect that it fulfills the basic functions of your solution and can be shown to and used by customers. 

If you have no start-up at the MVP stage running yet, please apply with your start-up idea. You can state your idea in the application and present the idea during your 3-minute pitch video.
CAN I JOIN THE PROGRAM IF I DON’T ALREADY HAVE AN IDEA FOR MY START-UP?
Unfortunately not – we expect every applicant to have a start-up idea. You can apply with just an idea, but you should then be able to see this realized into a working MVP. 
CAN I JOIN THE PROGRAM WITHOUT A TEAM?
Yes, you can join the online program as a “Solo Founder”, but we encourage you to find a co-founder during the online program. Only start-ups with at least two team members will be considered for the offline program in Switzerland.
WHO’S RUNNING THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM?
The Fellowship program is run by START Global and its partners. Working in close collaboration with our main partners, such as the University of St. Gallen, we aim to make the Fellowship program a truly amazing and valuable experience for you.
WHO IS THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM BACKED AND SUPPORTED BY?
You can find out more about our incredible partners and supports on our partners page. Note that the list is constantly being updated due to new partners being onboarded, so it may not be fully up-to-date for the current iteration of the program. 
WHY DOES THE OFFLINE PROGRAM TAKE PLACE IN SWITZERLAND?
The program is run by students and professionals from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The offline program will allow you to network with our partners on a much more personal level, which will enable you to better emerge yourself in the European entrepreneurial ecosystem.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE OFFLINE PROGRAM EVEN IF I’M NOT STUDYING AT A PARTNER UNIVERSITY?
Unfortunately, for legal and visa purposes, you have to be enrolled at one of our partner universities in order to participate. However, we are open-minded for new partnerships and we are currently working on a potential solution for 2024.