HSG START Accelerator Batch 3

About

A three-month accelerator in St. Gallen for early-stage European B2B tech and deeptech startups, combining CHF 15,000 in scholarship and benefits, mentoring, coaching and investor access to prepare founders for their next funding round.

Benefits

• 💰Scholarship and Benefits
  CHF 15,000 total, comprising a CHF 10,000 scholarship paid in tranches across the program plus CHF 5,000 in benefits, for participating startups
• 💸Additional Funding
  The opportunity for up to CHF 200,000 in additional investment/funding into selected startups
• 🤝Mentorship and Coaching
  Individual coaching from leading experts and regular compact sessions with a personal mentor
• 🚀Investor-Readiness Support
  Workshops, pitching sessions, mock office hours with VCs/investors and a Demo Day
• 🏢Facilities and Ecosystem Access
  Access to accelerator facilities in St. Gallen, mainly at Switzerland Innovation Park East, the University of St. Gallen and the START Foundation, including coworking facilities and the St. Gallen startup ecosystem

Eligibility Criteria

• Location and Readiness
• Mandatory requirement of being a tech product startup based in Europe and ready to work intensively with the program in St. Gallen
• Business Model
• Mandatory requirement of a B2B technology business model with strong technology depth
• Traction
• Mandatory requirement of demonstrated first market traction and a validated MVP
• Funding Stage
• Mandatory requirement of being at pre-seed or seed stage with up to CHF 1 million in funding secured and/or up to CHF 10 million in non-dilutive grants secured
• Fundraising Plans
• Mandatory requirement of seeking to raise CHF 1 to 10 million in equity within the next 12 months
• Ineligible Companies
• Consultancies and pure service companies are not eligible
• Founding Team
• Preferred a fully committed founding team, with at least one founder having a scientific or engineering background

Participation Commitments

• Program Duration
• The program runs for 3 months with a mix of on-site and online formats
• Mandatory Presence
• Presence in St. Gallen, Switzerland during on-site events is mandatory
• Onboarding
• Selected startups go through an onboarding process
• Equity Financing
• The up-to-CHF 200,000 funding is described as founder-friendly equity financing, and specific investment terms are not publicly stated

Target Region

Europe — applicant companies must be based in Europe; participants must be ready to work intensively with the program in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Semiconductors & Electronics