<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1235247433730186&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Home Programs Portfolio Partners Female Entrepreneurship History FAQ

Applications are opened now

Apply now

Accelerator APPLICATIONS closing Soon!

APPLY NOW!

 

START FELLOWSHIP

Accelerator

Connecting young founders from LMICs with the European Startup ecosystem.
Apply now

START FELLOWSHIP ACCELERATOR

START Fellowship Accelerator is a unique program aimed at empowering young founders from Latin America and Africa! Immerse yourself in the European Startup ecosystem over a period of 3 months in Switzerland through input sessions with experienced investors and entrepreneurs, classes at the University of St. Gallen, mentoring and coaching with experts, alongside funding opportunities. Build a strong network of like-minded entrepreneurs forming a tight-knit community, and receive potential investments to make your Startup grow exponentially.

What you will get out of it!

Embark on your entrepreneurial journey to Switzerland and accelerate your Startup through our focus areas of content, network and fundraising - all costs covered and opportunities to receive equity-free funding.

Conferences

 Get immersed in the most vibrant Startup hubs of Europe and connect with the key stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at events, or trips.

.

CO-WORKING

SPACE

 You’ll get 24/7 access to an inspiring office full of driven founders, unlimited coffee, and a space designed to boost productivity and motivation.

Workshops

Hosted by experts from a wide range of backgrounds, our Workshops offer insights into key topics regarding your Startup, including Fundraising, Marketing, Sales and more.

 

Networking

You’ll join exclusive events across Europe, connect with fellow founders, investors, and partners, and grow your network in the global startup ecosystem.

 

Mentoring

Your two Mentors guide you throughout the entire accelerator in bi-weekly meetings, provide you with advice and all the support you need to see your Startup succeed.

Investment

Committee

You’ll have the opportunity to pitch in front of a jury and compete for up to 60k in equity-free funding to accelerate your startup’s growth.

 

Demo Day

 At the end of the accelerator, you’ll pitch your Startup to investors and ecosystem leaders, with the chance to secure funding and gain high-level exposure.

 

Founder

Scholarships

 We cover your apartment, health insurance, and food allowance—so you can focus entirely on building your Startup without financial worries.

 

PAST SPEAKERS

Florian Huber_-2

Florian Huber

EWOR

Gabriel Bernasconi_-2

Gabriel Bernasconi

BFF

Mateo Bryant_-2

Mateo Bryant

Minted

Andreas Goeldi-3

Andreas Goeldi

b2venture

Michael Cassau_-1

Michael Cassau

SKROL, Grover

Bettina Hein_-1

Bettina Hein

juli

Petter Made_-1

Petter Made

EWOR, SumUp

Damaris Mendoza Loera_-1

Damaris Mendoza Loera

500 Global

Mariano Otero-1

Mariano Otero

Fever

Group 1517

Dr. Jan Brinckmann

ESADE

Felipe Delago-1

Felipe Delago

Merama

Sebastian Kreis_-1

Sebastian Kreis

Xepelin

Daniel Gutenberg-2

Daniel Gutenberg

Hookipa

Boris Manhart_-1

Boris Manhart

Innosuisse

Borja martel_-1

Borja Martel

Roxom

Mariano Mayer-1

Mariano Mayer

Newtopia

Patrick Hertzog-1

Patrick Hertzog

Nexthink

Adrian Locher-2

Adrian Locher

Merantix Capital

Group 1515

Tina Rosenfeld

Camanchaca SA

Pascal Bieri_-1

Pascal Bieri

Planted

How to apply

Applications will open again on 10.08.2024. Subscribe to our newsletter so you do not miss the opening!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

application requirements

  • Enrollment at a partner university in LatAm or Africa  (If you’re not already enrolled we still encourage you to apply since we can help you to get enrolled upon being selected for the program)
  • You are between 18 - 25 years old
  • Committed to founding
  • You already have an MVP or a first prototype
  • English C1 Level

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!OVERVIEW OF PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

Find out what happens once you apply!

Selection Process

04.08.2025

Application opens

14.09.2025

Application closes

22.09.2025 - 03.10.2025

First interview round (Alumni Interviews)

29.09.2025 - 10.10.2025

Second interview round (Team Interviews)

06.10.2025 - 17.10.2025

Third interview round (VC Interviews)

26.10.2025

Final selection of START Fellows

05.01.2026

START Fellowship Pre-Accelerator program starts

08.02.2026

START Fellowship Accelerator begins