Open Calls

Make your start-up the talk of Switzerland: apply now for the Swiss Economic Award 2026 – the most prestigious prize for young companies in Switzerland.

Your idea is gaining momentum, the first market successes have been achieved and you are ready for the next step? Then now is the time.

If this applies to you, apply now. Do you know a suitable start-up? Please forward.

What awaits the finalists
– Final pitch and award ceremony at the Swiss Economic Forum
– CHF 25,000 prize money per category
– National media presence (e.g. SRF live broadcast at the Swiss Economic Forum)
– Exclusive access to the top-class SEF network
– Professional feedback from experts
– Peer-to-peer exchange in the SEF.Founder community

Application deadline: January 30, 2026
Eligibility to participate: Start-ups founded on or after January 1, 2020.

You can find all the details on our website.

Questions? The SEF.Award team will be happy to help: +41 31 334 88 88 | awards@nzz.ch

The current cooperation program on the thematic priorities “Positive innovation climate” and “Intelligent use of scarce resources for living and settlement areas” calls for project ideas on one thematic priority each or project ideas that combine the two thematic priorities. The projects must be innovative, practical and feasible for the members of the Zurich Metropolitan Area Association (cantons, cities, municipalities) in a partnership-based and interdisciplinary manner. In this way, they contribute to strengthening innovation and competitiveness and to consolidating the metropolitan area as a leading business, education and research location. The invitation to tender is based on a selective, two-stage procedure. It is aimed at universities of applied sciences, universities, clubs and associations, NGOs, think tanks and companies. You can find more information in the documents.

We’re excited to share that the 7th edition of the Sustainable Food Challenge, run by MassChallenge Switzerland and powered by committed industry partners, is now open for applications until November 17th.

Over the years, this initiative has enabled 250+ meaningful collaborations between startups and global food leaders — driving co-development, real-world product validation, and the adoption of sustainable innovations.

Startups selected for the Challenge will have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate directly with leading corporates and experts;
• Validate their solutions through real-world pilots;
• Build strategic connections with customers and investors.

If your startup is working on Sustainable Food & Feed Solutions, AgTech, Side Streams, Packaging & Materials, or Supply Chain and Manufacturing, this is your moment to scale with the right partners.

Are you an MD, PhD, or postdoc from a Swiss academic institution ready to explore innovation beyond the lab? Join the BioEntrepreneurship & Innovation (BEI) program at the University of Zurich and learn how to transform your life-sciences research into tangible solutions. The 2026 edition celebrates 10 years of empowering scientists to innovate – free of charge and worth up to 4 ECTS.