Frequently Asked Questions
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Tickets
Yes. Immediately after your purchase, you will be granted access to a management dashboard (via email and on the confirmation page). There, you can personalize the tickets or assign them to team members by email. Each recipient will then receive their own login to manage their details. Once a ticket is personalized, access to the networking app and the ticket itself will be activated.
Yes, you can re-assign your ticket to someone else via your dashboard, provided you have not yet joined the event platform. Once you access the platform, your ticket is personalized and locked to your profile to ensure your networking data is set up correctly. After this point, no further changes or transfers can be made. Please note that while transfers are generally available until two weeks before the event, the resale of tickets is strictly prohibited. For exceptional cases or urgent company substitutions, please contact us at experience@startsummit.ch.
START Summit tickets are strictly non-refundable and all sales are final. While the resale of tickets is strictly prohibited, you may re-assign your ticket to a colleague or friend via your dashboard, provided you have not yet accessed the event platform. Once the platform is accessed, the ticket is finalized and no further changes or transfers can be made. For exceptional cases involving documented extenuating circumstances, you may contact experience@startsummit.ch for an individual review, though a refund is not guaranteed.
Each ticket is valid for one person only. During the personalization process, the ticket is linked to your individual name and information. If you have purchased multiple tickets, each one must be personalized for a separate attendee via the personalization link.
You can pay for your ticket via Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or TWINT. Additionally, payment via invoice is possible by sending a short request to experience@startsummit.ch.
After completing the personalization via your individual personalization link, your tickets will be sent to you via email. You can then download them directly through the link provided in that confirmation.
You can update your information via the personalization link until you register on the event platform (app). Once you have joined the app, changes are no longer possible. If you still need assistance, please contact experience@startsummit.ch.
Yes, your student status will be checked at the entrance. Please make sure to have a valid student ID or proof of enrollment ready when you arrive at the event.
No, you don't need to print it. You can simply show the QR code in our event app, use your Apple or Google Wallet, or bring a printed version if you prefer.
Yes, we provide free Wi-Fi throughout the entire venue for all attendees. If you need to handle urgent tasks or take a quick call, you can use our dedicated co-working areas and quiet zones. To ensure your devices stay powered throughout the intense networking days, power banks will be available at our service desks and charging stations (subject to availability).
Event-App
As soon as you have completed your ticket personalization, a unique Join-Link will be generated for you. You can use this link to join the platform directly and start setting up your profile.
Yes, all ticket types can schedule meetings with other attendees as soon as the networking features are enabled. Last year, over 12,000 meetings took place at START Summit! We provide a dedicated meeting area with assigned tables to make your networking experience as smooth as possible.
The networking features are expected to open in mid to late February. We are currently gathering all our attendees on the platform first to ensure a high-quality experience and a vibrant community from the moment the features go live.
f you have a Startup Ticket, you will find an "Applications" tab in the event app. First, complete your startup profile; once that's done, you can apply for various formats like pitching competitions or the START Fair. There is no limit to how many formats you can apply for, as long as you fulfill the individual requirements.
Once these sessions are announced, you can sign up for them via a separate tab in the event app. There will be different registration types such as first-come-first-serve with a waitlist system, application-based registrations, and open registrations. The individual mechanism will be shared for each session and you will only see the events for which your ticket type is eligible.
While most features are currently hidden to keep things simple during onboarding, the app will eventually include schedules and individual calendars, meetings and networking tools, an interactive event map, sign-ups for various formats, and Co-Founder Matchmaking as well as many more features to enhance your summit experience.
Logistics
START Summit takes place from 19. – 20. March 2026 at the SGKB Hall in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Prior to these main days, there will be a Day-0 specifically for investors, startups, and corporates. We highly recommend arriving early for Day-0, as it is a vital part of your START Summit journey and offers great additional networking opportunities.
You can easily reach the venue by train. If you are arriving by plane, the nearest major airport is Zurich (ZRH), from where it is only a 1-hour train ride to St. Gallen. Within the city, there is excellent public transport; you can take bus lines 3, 4, or 6 from the main train station directly to the Olma Halls (SGKB Hall).
A variety of options are available, but we recommend booking your stay as early as possible to ensure the best choice. To make it easier for you, we have prepared a curated search for nearby accommodations through this link: https://expedia.com/affiliate/B7O75eK.
We recommend arriving on 18. March before the afternoon to be ready for the start. Since there will be a legendary afterparty on Friday night, the earliest you should plan to leave is Saturday morning. However, we suggest staying for the full weekend to experience our optional "Swiss Weekend" program.
The Swiss Weekend is a curated program for the days following the summit. We offer a variety of options, exclusive discounts, and organized activities for you to enjoy the weekend in Switzerland. It is the perfect way to unwind and continue networking in a more relaxed setting after the main event.
Yes, we can provide you with an official invitation letter to support your visa application and confirm your attendance. Please note that we can only issue these letters after you have purchased your ticket. Once your purchase is complete, please send a request with your ticket confirmation and necessary details to experience@startsummit.ch.
Parking spaces are limited at the event hall. To ensure a smooth arrival and avoid delays, we highly recommend traveling by bus from your hotel or using public transport to get to the event space.
We offer an exclusive Food Festival right at the event, featuring a wide selection of local and international specialties. You can look forward to a great variety of high-quality options, ensuring there is something for every taste to keep you energized throughout the summit.
Audience
As Europe’s largest early-stage conference, our main focus is on startups ranging from Pre-Seed and Seed to Series A. However, startups at every stage are more than welcome to join, as the summit offers valuable opportunities and networking for everyone, regardless of their current growth phase. We are proud to be the starting point for many founders across a huge variety of industries and verticals.
START Summit serves as a central hub for the global investment community. We host a wide variety of investors, ranging from Business Angels and leading Swiss-based venture capital firms like Redalpine, b2venture, or Founderful, to major international players such as Sequoia, Cherry Ventures, and HV Capital.
As a student-run conference, we are proud to welcome Europe’s top talents. You will meet students from world-class universities like TUM, ETH, HSG, and many others, all coming together to network and innovate.
Our partners range from leading global corporations and consulting firms to innovative tech companies and regional champions. This includes names like Microsoft, SAP, Northzone, UBS, Cherry, HV Capital, Founderful, General Catalyst, and the Kanton St. Gallen, along with many others who join us to support the European startup ecosystem.
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