Deadline: 4-March-2026
MassChallenge Switzerland is a sustainability-focused accelerator program designed to support startups that create measurable social, environmental, and economic impact while building financially viable and climate-responsible businesses.
The program focuses on sustainability and impact across industries, with dedicated emphasis on Agtech & Foodtech, Materials & Industry, and Healthtech, supporting solutions that promote climate responsibility, greenhouse gas reduction or offsetting, sustainable agriculture and food systems, efficient use of energy and water, waste minimization and treatment, innovative materials and technologies, operational efficiency through digital and physical solutions, and advancements in health, life sciences, social care, and education.
By design, the program accepts only startups whose solutions add tangible value to society, such as significant CO₂-equivalent emissions avoided or removed or meaningful improvements to human well-being, and all participating startups are guided on how to operate responsibly toward climate and nature while committing to reducing or offsetting their greenhouse gas emissions. The accelerator combines online programming with two mandatory in-person engagements in Switzerland, including a bootcamp and a halftime event, to strengthen collaboration, partnerships, and investor connections.
Participants gain unrivaled access to more than 15 global corporate partners, including Bühler, Givaudan, dsm-firmenich, Louis Dreyfus Company, SIG Group, Mars, Novonesis, and PMI, representing over CHF 260 billion in combined revenue. The program offers world-class mentoring from over 400 experts and a comprehensive curriculum of lectures and workshops delivered by leading entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry specialists, all provided without taking any equity from startups.
The accelerator also features immersive in-person bootcamps in Switzerland that include mentor-matching sessions, expert panels, and on-site visits to corporate partners, enhancing real-world exposure and collaboration opportunities. Startups have the opportunity to compete for up to CHF 1 million in non-dilutive cash prizes and in-kind awards, with an additional CHF 100,000 no-strings-attached Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize available for food and climate-focused startups.
The program is open to startups from any geography and across all industries, with applications for the 2026 cohort open from January 14 to March 4, 2026. Eligible startups should demonstrate impactful and scalable solutions, clear market traction, financial viability, and competitive pricing, with less than CHF 2 million in capital raised and CHF 2 million in sales, and incorporation is not mandatory as long as the concept shows strong impact, viability, and scalability.
For more information, visit MC.
