Founder Communities & Networking Events
Switzerland offers a diverse and comprehensive ecosystem for startups, founders and entrepreneurs. Below is a curated selection of the most important communities, events, and support offerings for founders — to help you network, exchange ideas, and grow.
1. Networks for Founders
1.1 Swiss Startup Association
The Swiss Startup Association is the national umbrella organization for the Swiss startup scene. It works across all industries to advance and promote the Swiss startup ecosystem. For founders, it provides access to a broad network and opportunities to connect with other players in the startup world. Through networking events such as Founders Day, it creates opportunities to build relationships, exchange experience, and stay up to date on the latest developments in the ecosystem.
1.2 Impact Hub Zurich
Impact Hub Zurich gives entrepreneurs access to a vibrant community through a range of events and workshops. It also runs several programs focused on solving social and environmental challenges.
1.3 Swisspreneur
Swisspreneur is a Swiss NGO that promotes entrepreneurship and connects the startup community through events such as the Founders’ Dinner and the Scaleup Cruise. It also provides know-how for founders in the form of podcasts, videos, and masterclasses on topics like fundraising, B2B sales, and go-to-market strategy.
1.4 Startup Campus
Startup Campus supports founders from idea development through to scaling, offering a range of free workshops and support programs. Alongside its entrepreneurship training, Startup Campus also organizes events and co-founder matchmaking to help founders find co-founders and other valuable contacts for building their business.
1.5 BlueLion
BlueLion is a Zurich-based non-profit organization supporting startups at a very early stage. In addition to a 12-week incubator program, BlueLion offers a strong startup community and coworking spaces alongside like-minded founders in Zurich. Its focus is on scalable technology startups in ICT, digital health, climate tech, and fintech.
1.6 Launch Control
Launch Control supports founders in developing their business idea through to market readiness. Alongside its two development programs, “Bring Your Idea to Life” and “Boost Your Business,” Launch Control organizes networking events and a co-founder matchmaking.
1.7 Female Founders
Female Founders is a European organization that supports women founders in building their companies through various programs and networking events.
1.8 Venturelab
Venturelab supports Swiss startups from developing innovative business ideas through to company building and scaling. Alongside free training and education programs, Venturelab organizes networking events and workshops for founders.
1.9 Unternehmer Netzwerk Zürich (UNZ)
UNZ connects young entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders as well as people from academia, culture, and industry.
1.10 Circular Economy Switzerland (CES)
CES brings together stakeholders from business, science, research, politics, and public administration with the goal of advancing the circular economy in Switzerland. A well-suited network for founders focused on circular business models.
1.11 Social Entrepreneurship Schweiz (SENS)
As a nationwide platform for impact-driven businesses based in Zurich, SENS connects and supports entrepreneurs tackling environmental or social challenges. Alongside a community of like-minded founders, members benefit from a broad range of support services.
1.12 Meetup
Meetup is a wide-ranging online platform hosting groups and events on virtually any topic. For entrepreneurs and founders, there are several active groups offering events for networking and exchange, including:
- Zürcher Startup Founder 101
- Zürcher Founder’s Network
- Swiss Startups Club
- The Zurich Entrepreneur Meetup Group
2. Events for Founders
2.1 Startup Nights
Startup Nights is one of Switzerland’s largest startup events, held every November in Winterthur. Beyond networking opportunities, it offers pitching opportunities as well as workshops and keynote talks.
2.2 StartupExchange
StartupExchange brings together founders, experienced entrepreneurs, and investors each year — a chance to exchange ideas, network, and gain practical insights.
2.3 Female Innovation Forum
The Female Innovation Forum (organized by LadiesDrive.World) is a one-day event bringing together innovators, investors, and founders, culminating in the Female Investor Award.
2.4 Startup Days (SUD)
An annual event in Bern that brings together founders, investors, universities, and SMEs. SUD focuses on technology-driven, high-growth startups.
2.5 Eventbrite
Eventbrite offers a broad selection of events for startups and founders.
3. Support Services for Founders
3.1 IFJ – Institute for Young Entrepreneurs
IFJ guides founders through the company formation process and offers coworking spaces and networking events. Founders also benefit from a wide range of online resources, including podcasts, interviews, know-how, and courses on self-employment.
3.2 Startups.ch
Startups.ch supports entrepreneurs both with company formation and with ongoing administrative tasks. It also maintains a comprehensive directory of events, organizations, and coworking spaces for young businesses.
3.3 Startupticker.ch
An independent, non-profit news platform for the Swiss startup scene. Alongside daily news on funding rounds, product launches, and market trends, Startupticker offers an extensive event calendar and directories of startup awards and funding programs — making it a first stop for finding relevant Zurich events and funding opportunities.
3.4 Canton of Zurich Economic Development Office
The Canton of Zurich’s economic development office provides founders with guidance on company formation, location choice, networking, and economic development. The cantonal offering also includes 11 regional economic development agencies that support companies, connect them with local stakeholders, and organize events for entrepreneurs.
3.5 Ahead Zurich
Ahead Zurich is Zurich’s entrepreneurship and innovation center, supporting founders and SMEs throughout their entrepreneurial journey. Alongside free founding consultations, Ahead offers microloans for investments up to CHF 40,000 and innovation consulting for SMEs.
Conclusion
The Zurich and Swiss startup scene offers founders countless ways to network, build knowledge, and develop their business ideas further. Whether through a community, an event, or a workshop — there’s a fitting resource for every stage of the founding journey. Exchanging ideas with other founders, experienced entrepreneurs, and potential partners can provide valuable inspiration and open new doors for your venture.