Applications opening for the Summiteer pitching competition will be announced at the end of October through our Social Media channels.
START Summit is Europe’s leading student-run conference for entrepreneurship and technology, bringing together over 7000 startups, investors, corporates, and young talents for two days of inspiring stage sessions, hands-on workshops, and high-impact networking.
With a strong focus on innovation, fundraising, and ecosystem-building, START Summit provides a unique platform for early-stage startups to connect with investors, for corporates to discover disruptive ideas, and for students to dive into the world of entrepreneurship.
Beyond the main conference, START Summit offers exclusive side events, pitching competitions, and interactive sessions to maximize learning and networking opportunities. Whether you’re looking to build, invest, or connect, START Summit is the place to be.
Public transport:
Accommodation:
We’ve pre-selected several hotels for attendees. You can find details about the hotels in St. Gallen here. If you prefer a quieter stay, there are also excellent hotels just outside the city, only about 20 minutes away by public transport.
Yes, workshops have limited seating, so you’ll need to register in advance before spots fill up. Workshop registration is available via our online platform.
For side events, you can browse and apply to participate via our event page. Additional side events will be announced over time, so keep checking back for updates and sign up for our newsletter!
START Summit side events take place before, during, and after the main event, creating unique networking and learning opportunities beyond the conference itself. These events include exclusive investor dinners, startup meetups, industry-specific gatherings, and casual networking sessions across St. Gallen. They allow attendees to connect in a more personal setting, making START Summit a truly immersive experience.
New side events will be announced regularly, so keep an eye on our website and social channels for updates!
You can purchase your ticket directly on our ticket page. We accept a wide range of payment methods, including debit and credit cards, PayPal, Twint, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and many more.
If none of these options work for you, please contact us at growth@startsummit.ch, and we’ll do our best to assist you.
We offer different ticket categories for Startups, Investors, Students, Corporates, and General Attendees. All tickets provide access to the two-day event and the full START Summit experience, including networking opportunities, stage sessions, and side events.
However, some workshops and side events may be exclusive to specific ticket categories. You can find a detailed overview of what each ticket includes on our ticket page.
After purchasing your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with your invoice. A few weeks before the event, you’ll also receive an invitation link to register on our event platform and be able to access your ticket trough the event app.
Your QR ticket for check-in will be generated shortly before the event, so don’t worry if you don’t have it yet! Just make sure to sign up on the event platform as soon as you receive the registration link.
Yes, ticket transfers and information changes are possible, but only under special circumstances. If you are unable to attend due to unforeseen events or need to update your registration details, please contact us at growth@startsummit.ch.
Please note: Changes cannot be made in the final week before the event.
To speed up check-in and avoid long lines, we will offer pre-badge pickup at various locations, such as Zürich Airport and St. Gallen Train Station, in the days leading up to the event.
The exact pickup locations and times will be announced before the event. If you don’t pick up your badge in advance, you can still collect it on-site at the venue.
Yes! If you require a visa invitation letter to attend START Summit, we can provide one.
Before reaching out, please check the Swiss visa requirements for your country. Once you have the necessary information, email us at growth@startsummit.ch, and we’ll assist you in obtaining the required documentation.
Any founder, employee, or intern of a startup is eligible to purchase a Startup ticket. However, please note that each Startup ticket is valid for one person only—not for the entire team.
We welcome startups of all kinds and stages, whether incorporated or not. However, some competitions at START Summit may require your startup to be a registered legal entity.
START Summit is designed to empower and accelerate startups by providing unparalleled networking, exposure, and funding opportunities. As a startup at START Summit, you can:
Whether you’re looking to raise funding, gain visibility, or form key partnerships, START Summit provides the ideal platform to take your startup to the next level.
The Founder Day-0 event is an exclusive pre-START-Summit gathering for startups, taking place on March 19, 2025 - the day before START Summit officially begins. This event is designed to help early-stage founders build meaningful connections, gain insights from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, and set the stage for a successful START Summit experience. It is by application-only - more details will be announced soon.
The START Fair program provides startups with a free exhibition booth at START Summit, allowing them to showcase their vision to investors, corporates, and potential customers.
You can find all eligibility criteria and apply for a booth on this page.
The START Summiteer competition is our flagship startup pitch competition, offering selected startups the chance to pitch on the main stage for a CHF 500,000 investment.
To be eligible, your startup must:
This competition is a huge opportunity to gain visibility, attract investors, and secure funding for your startup. If you meet the criteria, you can find more details and apply here.
In addition to the START Summiteer competition, we are hosting several industry-specific pitching competitions this year, including:
Applications for all competitions are currently open! You can find more details and apply here.
Yes! Our Matchmaking tool, available through the START Summit app, allows you to connect in advance with investors, fellow founders, and other key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Using the Matchmaking tool, you can:
This tool ensures that you can make high-value connections and set up strategic meetings before the conference even begins.
The Investor ticket is designed for decision-makers from firms interested in investing in startups or venture capital funds. This includes:
If you’re actively looking to invest in early-stage startups and high-growth ventures, the Investor ticket provides full access to START Summit’s networking, deal-making, and exclusive investor events after application.
START Summit provides investors with a dynamic environment to connect with startups, fellow investors, and key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Key opportunities include:
With thousands of entrepreneurs and investors in attendance, START Summit is the ideal place to build connections and explore new investment opportunities.
START Summit attracts startups from a wide variety of industries, including:
Most startups at the event are in the pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages, but later-stage companies also attend to network and explore new partnerships.
Once you have registered on our event app, you will gain access to the full list of attendees, including all participating startups. This allows you to explore startup profiles, research their backgrounds, and plan your meetings in advance.
The Investor Day-0 event is an exclusive, application-only pre-Summit gathering taking place on March 19, 2025. It is designed specifically for investors and includes:
As space is limited, participation is by application only. More details will follow soon.
Yes! Our Matchmaking tool, available through the START Summit app, allows you to connect in advance with:
The tool lets you filter attendees by industry, funding stage, and nationality, making it easy to find the right connections before the event even begins.
Yes! If your company or fund would like to make a special announcement - such as a new fund closing, a major partnership, or a product launch - START Summit provides a great platform to reach a highly engaged audience.
For more details and possibilities, please reach out to us at growth@startsummit.ch.
The Student ticket is available to students from all countries and educational backgrounds. This includes:
If you’re a student looking to expand your network, gain industry insights, and connect with startups and investors, the Student ticket gives you full access to START Summit at a special discounted rate.
START Summit is the perfect place for students to immerse themselves in the startup ecosystem, gain industry insights, and kickstart their entrepreneurial journey. As a student, you can:
• Connect with leading startups, investors, and corporate innovators to explore career and internship opportunities.
• Engage in exclusive student networking sessions and meet like-minded peers from across the world.
• Gain insights from top entrepreneurs and industry experts through keynote speeches and panel discussions.
• Participate in interactive workshops and side events to develop hands-on skills.
• Explore internship and job openings at the START Fair and through networking with top companies and startups.
• Compete in innovation challenges and pitching competitions that could help launch your startup idea.
• Enjoy the full START Summit experience at Summit Afterhours and the Afterparty, where attendees come together to connect, unwind, and celebrate.
Whether you’re looking for career inspiration, mentorship, or unforgettable experiences, START Summit provides the perfect platform to learn, connect, and have fun.
Yes, a limited number of free accommodations will be available for students attending START Summit 2025. However, space is very limited, and we recommend applying as soon as possible once registrations open. The spaces will be given out on a first-come-first-serve base.
If you’re on a tight budget or want to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Europe’s leading startup conferences, you can apply to be a volunteer at START Summit.
As a volunteer, you’ll get:
Volunteering is a great way to gain hands-on experience, meet inspiring people, and be part of something exciting. Find out more and apply here.
The Corporate ticket is designed for professionals working in established companies who are looking to:
• Engage in Corporate Venture Clienting, an exclusive opportunity for corporates to connect with startups offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to corporate challenges.
• Discover innovative startups and emerging technologies.
• Explore strategic partnerships with founders, investors, and other corporates.
• Gain industry insights through expert panels and discussions.
• Engage in deal-making opportunities and connect with key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Whether you’re from a large multinational, a fast-growing scale-up, or an innovation-focused enterprise, the Corporate ticket provides full access to START Summit’s networking, keynotes, and side events.
START Summit is a powerful platform for corporations to engage with the startup ecosystem and drive innovation. As a corporate attendee, you can:
If your company is looking to stay ahead of industry disruptions, connect with innovative founders, or invest in breakthrough technologies, START Summit provides the ideal setting.
Yes! If your company or fund would like to make a special announcement - such as a new fund closing, a major partnership, or a product launch - START Summit provides a great platform to reach a highly engaged audience.
For more details and possibilities, please reach out to us at growth@startsummit.ch.
The Attendee ticket is designed for individuals who want to experience START Summit but do not qualify for Student, Startup, Investor, or Corporate tickets. This includes:
If you’re eager to immerse yourself in innovation, connect with like-minded people, and gain insights from industry leaders, the Attendee ticket gives you full access to keynotes, workshops, networking sessions, and more.
START Summit is Europe’s leading student-run conference for entrepreneurship and technology, bringing together thousands of startups, investors, and industry leaders. As a media representative, you will have the opportunity to:
Whether you’re a journalist, blogger, or content creator, START Summit provides a dynamic platform to cover the next big stories in tech and entrepreneurship.
For media inquiries, accreditation or media-partnership collaborations, please contact us at growth@startsummit.ch. Our PR team will provide further details and assist with your participation.
Yes that is possible. Contact us via growth@startsummit.ch.