EUROPE’S NEXT WAVE
START Summit 2025
This is your moment! Be part of europe's largest early-stage Startup event!
20. - 21. March, St. Gallen, Switzerland
START Summit 2025
In numbers
Event
150 +
Expert
Speakers
20 +
Unicorns
on Stage
1000 +
Investors
check out our speakers
at start summit 2025
Jeannette zu Fürstenberg
La Famiglia &
General Catalyst
Dr. Jeannette zu Fürstenberg is Managing Director at General Catalyst (GC), leading its European business. She is also Founding Partner of La Famiglia VC, one of Europe’s most distinguished early-stage venture capital platforms. Today, La Famiglia VC is the nucleus of General Catalyst’s Global Seed Investment Program. Jeannette’s early investment wins include Deel, Forto, Groq, Helsing, Mistral, and Personio.
Thomas Wolf
Co-Founder of
Hugging Face
Thomas Wolf is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer (CSO) of Hugging Face, a leading open-source platform in AI and machine learning. He is the creator of widely-used tools like the Transformers and Datasets libraries and a driving force behind open-science initiatives such as the BigScience Workshop, which led to the development of the BLOOM language model. With a Ph.D. in Statistical and Quantum Physics and a background as a Patent Attorney, Thomas brings a multidisciplinary approach to advancing accessibility and innovation in AI.
Matt Cohler
Partner at
Benchmark
Matt is a partner at Benchmark, where for over a decade he led early-stage investments in Internet and software startups. Prior to Benchmark, he was vice president at Facebook as the company’s seventh employee, and vice president at LinkedIn, where he was part of the founding team. He currently serves on the board of directors at public companies like KKR, Asana, and 1stdibs, as well as private companies such as DeepL. He previously held board positions at major companies including Instagram, Tinder, and Uber.
Dr. Klaus Hommels
Founder & Chairman, Lakestar / Chairman, NATO Innovation Fund
A leading force in venture capital and defense tech, Dr. Klaus Hommels has shaped Europe’s innovation landscape through Lakestar, one of the continent’s top VC firms, and as Chairman of the NATO Innovation Fund. Recognized multiple times on the Midas List, he has backed transformative startups while steering critical investments in defense and security technology. With Europe at a turning point, his insights into defense-tech and strategic investments are more relevant than ever.
Carsten Koerl
Founder of Sportradar
& Bwin
Carsten Koerl is the founder of two unicorns: Sportradar and Bwin. As CEO of Sportradar, he transformed the company into a global leader in sports data and betting technology, taking it public on Nasdaq in 2021. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1997 with the creation of Bwin, which he led to a successful IPO in 2000. In 2015, Sportradar attracted investment from Michael Jordan and Mark Cuban, further fueling its expansion and cementing its position as a leader in the industry.
Cornelius
Menke
Sequoia
Cornelius Menke is a Partner at Sequoia, focusing on seed and early-stage investments. Growing up in Northern Germany, he developed a deep curiosity for technology, which led him to gain hands-on experience at companies like Udacity, KRY, and Klarna. With a background in machine learning and network analytics, he later worked at BCG, advising software companies on emerging technologies. At Sequoia, Cornelius seeks founders with a strong mix of curiosity and execution speed, with a particular interest in automation, manufacturing, and AI-driven supply chains.
Investors Attending
start summit!
















SPEAKER QUOTES at
START SUMMIT




Startups that attended
start summit in their early days






WHY EVERYONE is ATTENDING
START SUMMIT 2025!
INCREASE YOUR DEALFLOW
Extend your network
Meet 1000+
investors
89%
Back the next generation of disruptors
3'000 passionate talents on-site
Investor formats & events
2024 side events, 2025 side events will be announced soon!

Investor Night
Hosted by RedAlpine

GP X LP DINNER
Presented by Founderful, Co-hosted by Merantix and the Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation
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COFFEE AT THE CAP TABLE: CAVALRY'S INVESTOR BREAKFAST
Hosted by Cavalry Ventures

FOLD OR FORTUNE: THE START SUMMIT POKER NIGHT
Hosted by Casino St. Gallen
WHO ATTENDS
START SUMMIT?
7'000 participants include:
1'000
Investors




2'000
Founders




3'000
Talents






1'000
Attendees




Get your Investor
ticket now!
Investor
899.-
Exclusively crafted for venture capitalists and seasoned investors, the Investor/VC Ticket unlocks privileged access to Europe's most promising Startups and high-potential scaleups at START Summit 2024. Immerse yourself in curated pitching sessions, one-on-one meetings with visionary founders, and unparalleled networking opportunities, all geared towards discovering investment gems that align with your portfolio objectives.
Matchmaking Tool Workshops VIP Lounge Fast Lane Entry Priority Registration for Side Events & Formats Company Profile Access to Afterparty
FAQ
General
Tickets
Investors
FAQ
General
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:
• By bus: From St. Gallen Train Station, take bus lines 3, 4, or 6 to the stop “Olma Messen”.
• By train: The nearest train station is St. Gallen St. Fiden, located just a 4-minute walk from the Olma Halls. However, if you’re arriving at St. Gallen Train Station, you can also reach the venue conveniently by taking bus lines 3, 4, or 6 to the “Olma Messen” stop.
• By plane: The closest airport is Zürich Airport, approximately one hour by train from St. Gallen.
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!
Tickets
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.
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.
Investors
The Investor ticket is designed for decision-makers from firms interested in investing in startups or venture capital funds. This includes:
- Venture Capitalists (VCs)
- Angel Investors
- Limited Partners (LPs)
- Corporate Venture Capitalists (CVCs)
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:
- Meeting early-stage startups across multiple industries.
- Applying for the exclusive Investor Day-0 event, designed for high-level networking and discussions.
- Using the in-app Matchmaking tool to schedule 1:1 meetings with startups and investors before the event.
- Gaining insights into emerging sectors through keynote speeches and panel discussions.
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:
- FinTech
- SaaS
- DeepTech & Hardware
- Consumer Tech
- HealthTech & BioTech
- AI & Data
- SpaceTech
- DefenseTech
- Sustainability & Impact
- GreenTech & ClimateTech
- Mobility & Transportation
- Cybersecurity
- AgriTech & FoodTech
- EdTech
- Web3 & Blockchain
- SportsTech & Gaming
- IndustrialTech
- PropTech & ConTech
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.
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:
- High-level networking with VCs, LPs, Angels, and CVCs.
- Industry insights and discussions on emerging investment trends.
- Curated matchmaking opportunities to connect with startups and fellow investors.
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:
- Startups looking for investors and funding.
- Fellow investors for co-investment opportunities.
- Industry leaders and potential business partners.
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.