Startups
»venture» is an initiative of the ETH Zurich, McKinsey & Company, Switzerland, Knecht Holding, the innovation promotion agency CTI and EPFL Lausanne. As the leading Swiss-wide competition for the best business idea and the best business plan, »venture» supports young entrepreneurs in founding a company. The competition aims to unleash untapped innovation potential by encouraging young entrepreneurs to develop a business idea. A number of renowned companies from Swiss industry and commerce sponsor the competition.
Experienced coaches support competition participants in the development of their business idea, the preparation of their business plans, and in the search for suitable partners and the necessary capital. Participants also receive feedback from a team of highly qualified jurors. The jurors (approximately 90 experts) evaluate the formal and business aspects of an idea, as well as its financial attractiveness.
Participants receive additional help in the form of various supporting events and arrangements, e.g., a series of seminars, special workshops and networking platforms.
»venture» is for budding entrepreneurs in Switzerland who have innovative business ideas. Participants may enter the competition as individuals or as a team.
In addition to the prize money for the most successful teams, »venture» guarantees:
• Know-how: »venture» provides access to experienced coaches who support young entrepreneurs in the preparation of their business idea and their business plan.
• Network: »venture» offers new and valuable contacts between young entrepreneurs, to »venture» capitalists and to management personalities from business and research.
• Publicity: the media follow »venture» closely. Participating teams receive valuable publicity for their future company.
Experienced coaches support competition participants in the development of their business idea, the preparation of their business plans, and in the search for suitable partners and the necessary capital. Participants also receive feedback from a team of highly qualified jurors. The jurors (approximately 90 experts) evaluate the formal and business aspects of an idea, as well as its financial attractiveness.
Participants receive additional help in the form of various supporting events and arrangements, e.g., a series of seminars, special workshops and networking platforms.
»venture» is for budding entrepreneurs in Switzerland who have innovative business ideas. Participants may enter the competition as individuals or as a team.
In addition to the prize money for the most successful teams, »venture» guarantees:
• Know-how: »venture» provides access to experienced coaches who support young entrepreneurs in the preparation of their business idea and their business plan.
• Network: »venture» offers new and valuable contacts between young entrepreneurs, to »venture» capitalists and to management personalities from business and research.
• Publicity: the media follow »venture» closely. Participating teams receive valuable publicity for their future company.
Overview
Location
Switzerland, Zurich
Employees
11-50
Phone
+41 43 366 99 22
Total raised
$162.65K
Founded date
1997
Funding Rounds 1
| Date | Series | Amount | Investors |
| Sign up to see | Sign up to see | Sign up to see | Sign up to see |
Mentions in press and media 85
| Date | Title | Description |
| Sign up to see | Sign up to see | Sign up to see |
| Oct 10, 2025 | >>venture>> restructures award competition | As a new element of the >>venture>> competition, the >>venture>> foundation launches the Spotlight Award, which will highlight a different frontier of innovation each year. For its inaugural edition in 2026, the foc... |
| Jun 24, 2025 | The >>venture>> Grand Prize goes to MYNERVA | From AI-driven surgeries to upcycled food systems and decentralized energy finance, this year’s >>venture>> winners reflect a deep alignment with global sustainability and digital transformation. Their innovations reveal a unif... |
| May 22, 2025 | 18 startups selected for >>venture>> final pitches | The >>venture>> competition is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions for start-ups in Switzerland. Companies compete in six verticals for the category winner award and the Grand Prize worth CHF 150,000. The winner... |
| Apr 22, 2025 | Award season kicks off strong with several finalists revealed | With an all-time high of 396 submissions across six verticals, a new record was set at >>venture>>. This annual award competition offers early-stage startups the opportunity to expand their know-how through workshops, gain visi... |
| Jun 25, 2024 | Der Business Angel of the Year heisst Thomas Dübendorfer | Seit 40 Jahren existiert die Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association (SECA) bereits, seit 22 Jahren ernennt sie den Schweizer Business Angel of the Year. Gestern war es wieder so weit: An einem Event in Zürich übergab Corn... |
| May 15, 2024 | TOP 18 startups contest further for the >>venture>> Award | On June 17, 2024 >>venture>> will host the finale of its annual startup competition at the Audi Max (HG F 30) in the Main Building of ETH Zurich. The ceremony aims to award early-stage startups with innovative solutions in six ... |
| Apr 5, 2024 | Ninety five convincing startups: which one will take a prize? | Every year, >>Venture>> invites early-stage startups from across Switzerland to participate in the competition to get connect with mentors and get expert feedback on their solutions as well as win a cash prize to boost their gr... |
| May 22, 2023 | Top 18 startups in the >>venture>> competition proceed to the next round | |
| Oct 13, 2022 | L’Attitude Ventures Announces First $100 Million Venture Fund For Latinx-Founded Companies | L'ATTITUDE VENTURES has a new $100 million VC fund dedicated to businesses with Latinx founders.getty |
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Reviews 0
FAQ about >>venture>> Startup Competition
When was >>venture>> Startup Competition founded?
>>venture>> Startup Competition was founded in 1997.
How much funding has >>venture>> Startup Competition raised?
>>venture>> Startup Competition has raised $162.65K in total across 1 funding round.
What has the press written about >>venture>> Startup Competition?
Parsers VC has collected 85 articles mentioning >>venture>> Startup Competition, among them “>>venture>> restructures award competition” (Oct 10, 2025) and “The >>venture>> Grand Prize goes to MYNERVA” (Jun 24, 2025).
Is >>venture>> Startup Competition still active?
Yes, >>venture>> Startup Competition is active; its latest activity on Parsers VC dates from Jun 16, 2026.