#Makeithappen with Kickstart Innovation: Opening Week 2025

#Makeithappen with Kickstart Innovation: Opening Week 2025
Kickstart Innovation’s 2025 program begins with an exciting Opening Week that brings together startups, corporates, investors, and public institutions for a series of high-level gatherings. Across a series of flagship events, participants will celebrate the launch of the new cohort, explore the latest trends in innovation, and build connections that pave the way for impactful collaborations:

Kickstart Innovation Opening Ceremony 2025

About the Event

The Kickstart Opening Ceremony 2025 brings together corporates, startups, investors, public institutions, and changemakers for a series of insightful panels and engaging fireside chats.
Over the course of the evening, you’ll gain a clear introduction to the 2025 Kickstart Program, its focus areas, and the international startup cohort driving innovation across:

• Finance & Insurance
• New Work & Learning
• Smart Cities
• Health & Wellbeing
• Food & Retail
• Academy & Intrapreneurship
• Mission 2050

During the ceremony, we will also reveal the startups of this year’s cohort, who will collaborate with our Partners throughout the 11-week program to co-create commercial deals, pilot projects (POCs), and establish routes to market in Switzerland.

This year 95% of startups have an AI focus, working on trends like AI agents, machine learning, and big data. 90%+ are actively working on sustainability, contributing to at least 3 UN SDGs with 35%+ focus on circular economy.

Our Partners include leading organizations such as AXA, Coop, Swisscom, la Mobilière, MSD, PostFinance (including VNTR), Romande Energie, Sanitas, the City of Zurich, CSEM, and more.

Participants will gain insight into what’s working, what needs attention, and how they can be part of this transformative journey.

Date & Time
Tuesday, 9 September 2025, 17:00 – 20:30 CEST

Format
In-person gathering with networking opportunities

Exclusive Executive Dinners

The Kickstart Executive Dinners are a cornerstone of the Kickstart Program - exclusive, high-level gatherings that bring together the leadership of Switzerland’s most influential institutions with the founders and executive teams of our 2025 startup and intrapreneurship cohort.

Over the course of two dinners hosted across Switzerland, these evenings create a unique platform for exchange at the highest level, fostering collaboration opportunities that can lead to commercial partnerships, pilot projects, and new market entry pathways.

This year 95% of our startups cohort have an AI focus, working on trends like AI agents, machine learning, and big data. 90%+ are actively working on sustainability, contributing to at least 3 UN SDGs with 35%+ focus on circular economy.

Executive Dinner Zürich - Wednesday, September 10th

The Executive Dinner Zürich opens the series, setting the tone for collaboration and dialogue.
This invitation-only event connects CEOs and senior executives from institutions such as the City of Zurich, Coop, PostFinance, AXA Switzerland, Swisscom, ETH Zürich, La Mobilière, Sanitas, MSD, CSEM, and more with the leadership teams of our 2025 cohort.

The evening is designed to spark conversations, build trust, and create the foundation for impactful partnerships throughout the 10-week program.

Date and time
Wednesday, September 10 · 6 - 9pm CEST

Format
Aperò and dinner with networking opportunities

Executive Dinner Lausanne - Thursday, September 11

The Executive Dinner Lausanne brings the conversation to Switzerland’s western region, strengthening ties between Romandy-based institutions and the 2025 cohort.

Hosted in the iconic Hotel Royal Savoy, the dinner convenes senior leaders from organizations such as the Canton de Vaud, Coop, PostFinance, AXA Switzerland, Swisscom, La Mobilière, MSD Global, Sanitas, CSEM, and others.

This evening offers a setting to deepen regional collaborations, share perspectives across industries, and advance joint innovation projects.

Together, the Executive Dinners embody the essence of Kickstart: exclusive encounters where leadership meets entrepreneurship to shape the future of business and society.

Date and time
Thursday, September 11 · 6 - 9pm CEST

Format
Aperò and dinner with networking opportunities