Ecosystem Entrepreneurship

The SEF.Growth programme supports young entrepreneurs and SMEs in meeting the challenges of growth. Since 2012, we have awarded more than 130 start-ups with the SEF.Growth High Potential Label.

The aim of the programme is to provide an independent assessment of growth opportunities by experts from the Swiss Economic Forum network. The programme offers a wide range of support services depending on the needs of the scale-ups. The "SEF:Growth High Potential Label" award strengthens the market positioning of the evaluated start-ups.

SEF.Growth also organises regular best practice events offering exclusive insights, practical tips for the scaling process and the opportunity to interact with experts and other founders.

Who is it for? Start-ups and scale-ups that want to achieve initial market success and sustainable growth with their products or services.

We are looking for the most promising start-ups in Switzerland: the initial application takes just 10 minutes, after which you can look forward to the attention that will take your start-up to the next level.

Applicants can expect professional feedback from experts and peer-to-peer dialogue. Three finalists in each of the three categories can pitch their business idea live in front of a high-level audience at the Swiss Economic Forum and gain access to the exclusive SEF.network. In addition to the prize money of CHF 25,000 per category, the winners can expect to receive media attention that will give the young company a further boost.

Who is it for? Start-ups based in Switzerland and founded after 1 January 2020. We are looking for start-ups that have already achieved initial commercial success with their business idea.

NZZ Connect presents the SEF.WomenAward to women with an outstanding entrepreneurial track record, creating a powerful and forward-looking platform for women entrepreneurs.

The award is presented in the categories of "Young Entrepreneur of the Year", "Entrepreneur/CEO of the Year" and "Honour Award". The finalists will attend the awards ceremony at a gala evening and receive access to the unique SEF.network as well as a guaranteed ticket to the Swiss Economic Forum. In addition, finalists can expect media exposure, including a profile in the NZZ supplement and on various SEF channels.

Who is it for? Young female entrepreneurs who have founded at least one company that is less than 7 years old and hold an active C-level position in it can apply. Candidates for the other categories will be selected through a nomination process.

The Swiss Technology Award supports and promotes the Swiss innovation culture. Every year, outstanding technology-based innovations and developments from start-ups, universities and universities of applied sciences, as well as established companies are honoured in three categories.

Three finalists in each category are invited to present their business idea at the Open-i Innovation Conference. They benefit from business contacts with over 700 decision-makers from business, politics and science, high media coverage, a high-quality image film about the company and the innovation, as well as further networking opportunities in the following year.

Who is it for? Innovative entrepreneurs, innovative projects from research institutions, start-ups from business and industry, project teams from universities and technical colleges, and established companies with innovative, technology-based developments.

This is where innovative minds meet, make valuable contacts and share their passion for entrepreneurship! The SEF.Founder Community opens doors to world-class networks and inspiring events such as the SEF.Founder Conference and the Swiss Economic Forum.

Our goal: to promote entrepreneurship in Switzerland and provide access to the key players in the ecosystem.

For whom? Start-up founders, finalists of the SEF.Award, the SEF.WomenAward (category Young Entrepreneurs) and the Swiss Technology Award (category Start-ups) as well as SEF.Growth High Potential Companies.

The SEF NextGen Camps offer young adults the opportunity to develop their innovation and entrepreneurship skills and to meet their peers, as well as successful start-ups and established entrepreneurs from the SEF network. Entrepreneurs gain low-threshold access to the next generation of entrepreneurs and insight into their needs as employees or customers.

Who is it for? Young adults who want to develop their skills in innovation and entrepreneurship, and companies who want to take the pulse of the next generation or have them work on a specific case.