Startup Days 2027 – Deep-Tech Catalyst Event Switzerland

What to expect in 2027

Startup Days 2027 will bring together Switzerland’s startup, investment, corporate, research and innovation communities for a full day focused on deep-tech, entrepreneurship and business growth. The event is designed as a nationwide business and networking platform where founders can meet investors, corporates and ecosystem enablers while discovering technologies and ideas emerging from the Swiss innovation landscape.

The 2027 edition is scheduled for 27 May 2027 at Kursaal Bern. Startup Days describes itself as the Swiss deep-tech catalyst event, with a format built around multiple stages, focused sessions, networking lounges, an exhibition area, startup pitches and structured one-to-one meetings. Rather than following a single linear conference programme, visitors can build a personalised agenda and move between different content and networking areas.

Visitors can expect a mixture of keynote presentations, panel discussions, practical workshops, deep-dive sessions, startup demonstrations and informal networking. The event is particularly relevant for founders looking for funding or partnerships, investors searching for new technologies, corporations exploring innovation opportunities, and professionals interested in Switzerland’s technology ecosystem.

Event dates

2027 date: 27 May 2027

Duration: One full event day

Location: Kursaal Bern, Kornhausstrasse 3, 3013 Bern, Switzerland

Startup Days is an annual event held in Bern. The organisers have already published the 2027 date and have also announced 18 May 2028 as the following edition, providing clear evidence that the event is continuing as an annual series.

The previous editions followed a similar spring schedule. Startup Days 2025 took place on 14 May 2025, while the 2026 edition was held on 21 May 2026. The 2027 edition therefore continues the established annual format and spring timing.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & event site

Venue: Kursaal Bern

Address: Kornhausstrasse 3, 3013 Bern, Switzerland

Kursaal Bern provides the central setting for Startup Days and allows the event to combine conference spaces, stages, networking areas and exhibition facilities within one location. The venue is located close to central Bern and is accessible by public transport, including tram connections from Bern main station.

The event site is organised around a decentralised conference model. Instead of concentrating all activity on one stage, Startup Days uses different spaces for different types of interaction. Previous layouts have included the Center Stage, AI Stage, Unplugged Stage, Investors Lounge, Newcomers Corner, 1:1 Meetings area, Collective Lounge and exhibition zones.

Full programme

The complete 2027 programme has not yet been released. Based on the established Startup Days format, the programme is expected to combine content stages with dedicated networking and startup areas.

Typical programme elements include:

• Opening keynote and welcome session
• Main-stage presentations
• Deep-tech and technology sessions
• AI-focused content
• Founder and entrepreneur discussions
• Investor perspectives
• Panel discussions
• Interactive workshops
• Deep-dive sessions
• Startup pitches
• Newcomers presentations
• One-to-one matchmaking meetings
• Exhibition and marketplace activities
• Informal networking
• Closing and farewell networking

The decentralised programme allows participants to select sessions that match their interests rather than attending one fixed sequence of presentations. In previous editions, attendees could also pre-book selected sessions and arrange one-to-one meetings through the event platform.

Founders, investors & speakers

Startup Days attracts founders, investors, corporate executives, technology specialists, researchers, policymakers and startup-support organisations. The event is intended to connect different parts of the Swiss innovation ecosystem rather than focusing exclusively on early-stage startups.

The 2026 programme featured more than 40 sessions and more than 125 speakers. Published speakers included Ophelia Snyder, Co-Founder and Founding President of 21Shares; Kilian Wagner, Co-Founder and CEO of VIU; Lars Mangelsdorf, Co-Founder and CCO of Yokoy; and Simon Michel, CEO of Ypsomed AG.

Previous editions have also featured international and Swiss ecosystem figures. The 2025 event, for example, included around 175 speakers and more than 1,500 participants, with content spanning startup strategy, technology, investment, innovation and business development.

The full 2027 speaker list should be checked closer to the event because speakers and session topics are normally announced progressively.

Startup sectors & themes

Deep-tech and applied technology are at the centre of Startup Days. The event is designed to highlight companies developing technologies with the potential to create scalable products, industrial applications and new business models.

Likely themes include:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Robotics and automation
• MedTech and health technology
• Biotechnology and life sciences
• Climate and sustainability technology
• Energy and clean technology
• Advanced manufacturing
• Industrial technology
• Digitalisation
• Software and enterprise technology
• Cybersecurity
• FinTech and financial innovation
• Mobility and transportation
• Food and agricultural technology
• Space and advanced engineering
• Materials and manufacturing innovation

The event also provides opportunities for universities, research organisations, innovation centres and technology-transfer organisations to connect with startups and commercial partners.

Pitch competitions & startup showcases

The main startup pitching format is called Newcomers. It is designed to identify promising early-stage Swiss technology startups and give them an opportunity to present their innovations to investors, experts and the wider startup ecosystem.

For the 2026 edition, the organisers selected 18 startups focused on DeepTech or AppliedTech. Eligible companies were expected to be in the pre-seed or seed phase and to have a promising technology proposition with scaling potential.

The Newcomers format goes beyond a simple pitch. Selected startups receive visibility through Startup Days channels, access to participants through the event platform, opportunities to schedule one-to-one meetings, pitch preparation and networking opportunities.

The competition also includes jury evaluation. In 2026, three runners-up were selected from the Newcomers group and invited to pitch again on the Center Stage. The audience then voted for the Best in Class.

The 2027 application schedule and selected startups should be confirmed by the organisers when the next Newcomers application cycle opens.

Talks, panels & workshops

The educational programme is intended to provide both strategic perspectives and practical knowledge. Sessions can cover subjects relevant to founders, investors, corporate innovation teams and ecosystem professionals.

Keynote talks provide broader perspectives on technology, innovation and the future of business. Panels allow several experts to discuss current challenges and opportunities, while workshops and deep-dive sessions are more practical and interactive.

Previous Startup Days programmes have also included AI-related content, founder experiences, investment discussions, geopolitical perspectives, business strategy and real-world innovation cases. The combination of formal presentations and informal discussions makes the programme suitable for participants at different stages of their entrepreneurial or investment journey.

Registration & ticket types

2027 ticket pricing should be confirmed by the organisers as the event approaches. The latest published Startup Days pricing provides a useful reference for expected categories.

Startups: approximately $440 based on the published CHF 350 standard price.

Investors: approximately $930 based on the published CHF 740 standard price.

Corporate and enabler attendees: approximately $930 based on the published CHF 740 standard price.

Students: approximately $315 based on the published CHF 250 standard price.

The latest published edition also offered discounted early-bird pricing. The published super-early-bird rates were approximately $350 for startups, $745 for investors and corporate/enabler attendees, and $250 for students.

These are previous-edition reference prices, not confirmed 2027 prices. Group discounts for bundles of five or more tickets have also been offered in previous editions.

Investor & networking opportunities

Networking is one of the central purposes of Startup Days. Participants can use the event platform to discover other attendees, communicate before the event and arrange one-to-one meetings.

The matchmaking system is particularly useful for founders seeking investors or strategic partners. Investors can use it to identify startups that fit their investment interests, while corporate attendees can search for technologies, suppliers, innovation partners and potential collaborations.

Previous editions demonstrate the scale of this networking activity. In 2024, more than 750 one-to-one meetings were scheduled in advance, allowing participants to arrive with defined networking objectives rather than relying entirely on spontaneous conversations.

The event also provides dedicated networking environments such as investor areas, lounges and informal meeting spaces. This creates opportunities for both planned and spontaneous discussions.

Exhibitors & participating companies

The exhibition and marketplace area provides a physical showcase for startups, technology organisations, universities, support organisations, investors and corporate partners.

The 2026 exhibition area included organisations such as Microsoft, Swisscom, EPFL, ETH Zurich, University of Bern, CSEM, Innosuisse, Venturelab, SICTIC, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Helbling Technik, ESA BIC Switzerland, Swiss Startup Association, Swissnex, Swissmem and other ecosystem organisations.

The exhibition layout also included dedicated networking and activity areas, including an Investors Lounge, AI Stage, Center Stage, Unplugged Stage, Collective Lounge, Newcomers Corner and 1:1 Meetings area.

The final 2027 exhibitor list will depend on participating partners and organisations confirmed by the organisers.

Funding, investment & business opportunities

Startup Days is particularly valuable for companies seeking access to Switzerland’s investment and innovation ecosystem. Founders can use the event to introduce their products, meet investors, identify corporate partners and obtain feedback from experienced professionals.

Investors can use the event to discover emerging technology companies, while corporations can explore new products, technologies and partnerships that may support their innovation strategies.

The event also brings together ecosystem organisations that can help startups with mentoring, funding, market access, technology development and internationalisation.

The combination of startup pitching, investor matchmaking and exhibition activity creates several routes toward future investment and commercial relationships. However, Startup Days itself does not guarantee investment, funding or business deals; individual agreements remain subject to discussions between participating organisations.

Accommodation areas

Visitors attending from outside Bern can choose accommodation in central Bern or surrounding neighbourhoods. The organisers have previously worked with Bern Welcome to provide an allotment of hotel rooms for event participants.

Useful areas include:

• Bern Old City for central access and sightseeing
• The area around Bern main station for convenient transport connections
• Aare river areas for hotels in scenic locations
• Central neighbourhoods close to the Kursaal
• Surrounding Bern districts for potentially wider accommodation choices

The Old City is particularly convenient for visitors who want to combine the conference with sightseeing, restaurants and evening activities. Staying near the main railway station is another practical option for visitors arriving by train or travelling onward after the event.

Accessibility

Kursaal Bern is centrally located and designed as a major conference and event venue. The organisers provide practical visitor information for attendees, including transport guidance, supervised checkrooms and event-app access.

Startup Days has also offered free childcare at the venue in previous editions, allowing participating parents to attend the conference while using the dedicated childcare service.

Attendees should check the latest venue accessibility information before travelling if they require specific mobility, seating or assistance arrangements for the 2027 edition.

Previous year’s highlights

Startup Days has established itself as a major gathering point for the Swiss startup ecosystem. The 2025 edition took place on 14 May at Kursaal Bern and brought together more than 1,500 founders, investors, corporates and innovators.

The 2025 programme included multiple content formats, including the Mainstage, AI Stage, Deep Dive sessions, 1:1 meetings and the Unplugged Stage. The event also featured prominent speakers and discussions focused on innovation and technology.

The 2024 edition demonstrated the importance of structured matchmaking, with more than 750 one-to-one meetings scheduled in advance. More than 125 speakers contributed to the programme, giving participants access to a broad range of Swiss and international startup expertise.

The 2026 edition continued the deep-tech emphasis with 18 Newcomers startups selected to pitch on stage and a programme featuring more than 40 sessions and more than 125 speakers.

Official registration & tickets

Registration for Startup Days is handled through the organisers’ official online event platform. Participants generally create or use an existing account, select the relevant attendee category and complete registration online.

The event app is used for practical participation features, including the electronic ticket, personal agenda, session information, participant discovery, messaging and one-to-one meeting arrangements.

For 2027, visitors should use the official Startup Days website and its linked registration platform rather than relying on third-party ticket sellers.

Official website: https://startupdays.ch/

Event rules & professional access

Startup Days is open to people interested in Switzerland’s startup and innovation ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, startups, investors, industry professionals, innovators, policymakers and academics.

The event has a strong professional focus because much of its value comes from business networking, investment conversations, technology partnerships and knowledge exchange. Participants should therefore treat the event as a professional networking environment and respect other attendees, exhibitors, speakers and organisers.

Tickets are generally linked to registered participants and are used for entry through the event’s digital ticketing system. Previous editions allowed ticket transfers under specified procedures, while cancellations were subject to the organiser’s terms and conditions.

Startup founders wishing to pitch through Newcomers must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and complete the application process during the relevant application window.

How to get there

Kursaal Bern is located at Kornhausstrasse 3, 3013 Bern, Switzerland. The venue is close to central Bern and can be reached conveniently from Bern main station by public transport.

For visitors arriving by train, the simplest option is generally to continue from Bern main station by tram. The organisers recommend tram number 9, with the Kursaal stop providing direct access to the event area.

Visitors travelling from other Swiss cities can use the national railway network to reach Bern main station and then continue by local public transport.

For international visitors, Bern can also be reached through Switzerland’s major transport network, with Zurich and Geneva providing major international air connections and onward rail services to Bern.

Public transport & parking

By tram: From Bern main station, take tram number 9 toward the Kursaal area and get off at the Kursaal stop.

By car: Kursaal Bern is directly accessible by road. Parking facilities are available, although parking is chargeable.

By train: Bern main station is the principal railway connection for visitors arriving from other Swiss cities. From the station, public transport provides a straightforward connection to the venue.

Using public transportation is recommended for visitors who want to avoid parking arrangements in central Bern. Attendees travelling by car should allow additional time for finding and paying for parking, particularly during busy event periods.