ETH Entrepreneurship

🤔 What does it take to build and scale innovative companies?
We are thrilled to open the Demo Day of UPortunity — the ETH Startup Accelerator enabled by UBS — with an exclusive fireside chat featuring David Haber and Silvan Krähenbühl, who will share their insights and learnings.

If you are an Hashtag or part of the Hashtag and Hashtag ecosystem, this is where you want to be. After the fireside chat, the floor belongs to our past and present UPortunity cohorts.

Here is what’s on the agenda:
Live Pitches: Watch startup teams pitch solutions across AI & software, climate & energy, and data & industry intelligence.
Exhibition Booths: Meet the founders face-to-face.
Networking: Connect with the people actively building the future.

📅 30 June 2026 | 🕒 15:00–20:15 | 📍 ETH Zurich Main Building (HG)

🚀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆?

Join us on 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 for an 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 about - the ETH Start-up Accelerator designed to support promising student projects on their path to market readiness.

The next UPortunity cohort starts in 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, with applications opening in 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 - now is the perfect time to learn more about the program.

💬 The founders featured in this post have experienced UPortunity firsthand and share some of the things that made the biggest difference for them.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 how UPortunity supports recent ETH graduates and their teams with:
✅ CHF 10’000 per fellow + CHF 5’000 for start-up expenses
✅ Free office space for up to one year
✅ Hands-on workshops & 1:1 coaching
✅ Access to ETH’s network and resources
✅ Demo Days to pitch in front of investors and key ecosystem stakeholders
✅ A strong founder community

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰:
🔹 Recent ETH graduates (within 2 years of their degree) and ETH students in the final stage of their studies (graduation before program start not required)
🔹 Solo founders and teams alike - team members do not need to be ETH-affiliated

𝘙𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴:
🔹 A promising business idea and functional prototype (TRL 4 or higher)
🔹 Projects based on knowledge, not research results
🔹 Full-time commitment from all applicants

📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Clausiusstrasse 16
8006 Zürich, Switzerland

Learn how UPortunity works, what support is available, and how to apply!

📝 Please RSVP by 11 June 2026
🔗 Register via the link in our bio!

We look forward to meeting the next generation of founders at ! 🚀

ai

🚀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆?

Join us on 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 for an 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 about - the ETH Start-up Accelerator designed to support promising student projects on their path to market readiness.

The next UPortunity cohort starts in 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, with applications opening in 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 - now is the perfect time to learn more about the program.

💬 The founders featured in this post have experienced UPortunity firsthand and share some of the things that made the biggest difference for them.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 how UPortunity supports recent ETH graduates and their teams with:
✅ CHF 10’000 per fellow + CHF 5’000 for start-up expenses
✅ Free office space for up to one year
✅ Hands-on workshops & 1:1 coaching
✅ Access to ETH’s network and resources
✅ Demo Days to pitch in front of investors and key ecosystem stakeholders
✅ A strong founder community

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰:
🔹 Recent ETH graduates (within 2 years of their degree) and ETH students in the final stage of their studies (graduation before program start not required)
🔹 Solo founders and teams alike - team members do not need to be ETH-affiliated

𝘙𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴:
🔹 A promising business idea and functional prototype (TRL 4 or higher)
🔹 Projects based on knowledge, not research results
🔹 Full-time commitment from all applicants

📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Clausiusstrasse 16
8006 Zürich, Switzerland

Learn how UPortunity works, what support is available, and how to apply!

📝 Please RSVP by 11 June 2026
🔗 Register via the link in our bio!

We look forward to meeting the next generation of founders at ! 🚀

ai

🚀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻-𝗼𝗳𝗳?
Your venture could become part of the ETH entrepreneurship ecosystem.

ETH Entrepreneurship supports ventures at different stages - from early prototypes to research-based innovation 💡

𝗘𝗧𝗛 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽
For ventures with strong ties to ETH Zurich that are 𝗻𝗼𝘁 based on ETH research.

→ Visibility & credibility
→ Access to founders, investors & experts
→ Use of the ETH Start-up label

Start-ups can also benefit from #𝗨𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 - the ETH Start-up Accelerator 🤝
→ Coaching & mentoring
→ Founder community
→ Investor readiness
→ Workspace & network access

𝗘𝗧𝗛 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻-𝗼𝗳𝗳
For ventures based on ETH research and innovation.

→ Official ETH recognition
→ Infrastructure & lab access
→ Investor Connect
→ Visibility & ecosystem support

Spin-offs can also benefit from the 𝗣𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 🔬
→ CHF 120–180k funding
→ 12–18 months incubation
→ Technology development & IP commercialization
→ Investor readiness

Not sure which path fits your venture? We’re happy to help.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 via the link in bio.

🌟 𝗘𝗧𝗛 𝗭𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

ETH Zurich recorded a new start-up founding record in 2025: 𝟰𝟲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 - including 24 ETH spin-offs and 22 ETH start-ups based on student-driven ideas.

In a recent Bilanz article, Matthias Niklowitz spoke with Frank Floessel, Head of Entrepreneurship at ETH Zurich, about the developments shaping the ETH entrepreneurship ecosystem and the growing momentum in areas such as AI, robotics, quantum technologies, biotech, software and space.

The article also underlines an impressive long-term statistic: 𝟵𝟯% 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗧𝗛-𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀.

“𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘳 16 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴,” says Frank Floessel, pointing to the unique combination of deep tech expertise, strong research and Switzerland’s industrial ecosystem as a key advantage for innovation.

The article features several ventures from the ETH ecosystem, including Qendra, roboa, Robinreal, BLP and Mimic Robotics, showcasing how research and entrepreneurial thinking are translated into real-world applications. 🚀

.ai

🌟 𝗘𝗧𝗛 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪.𝗔. 𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬!

Congratulations to the ETH-connected start-ups selected as 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗪.𝗔. 𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀:

  • Chiral Nano (Pioneer Fellowship alumni)
  • Quendra (Pioneer Fellowship alumni)
  • Iron Energy (ETH spin-off)

The Top 10 startups are competing for up to five W.A. de Vigier Awards, each worth CHF 120,000.

📅 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 10 June 2026, 17:30 CEST

At the Award Ceremony, the finalists will pitch live at the de Vigier Sommerhaus in front of an audience and jury, with up to five startups receiving one of Switzerland’s most prestigious start-up awards.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀! 👏

𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼 🚜☀️

ETH spin-off Synhelion has powered an excavator operated by Eberhard Unternehmungen with renewable synthetic diesel for the first time at the Brüttener Tunnel construction site near Zurich.

The fuel was produced at Synhelion’s industrial-scale DAWN plant in Germany and delivers the same performance as conventional diesel while reducing net CO₂ emissions by up to 100% - without requiring any modifications to existing engines.

The milestone highlights the potential of renewable drop-in fuels for sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy construction and infrastructure.

Starting in 2027, Eberhard Bau AG plans to source larger volumes of Synhelion’s renewable diesel.

A strong example of how ETH innovation - driven by teams including Pioneer Fellowship alumnus Philipp Furler - is helping accelerate the transition to more sustainable industry solutions.

🚀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗭𝗞𝗕 𝗣𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲!
 
🏆 RTDT Laboratories AG, ETH spin-off, won the ZKB Pionierpreis Technopark 2026 and received CHF 100,000 for its technology optimizing wind turbine performance through real-time aerodynamic analysis.
 
👏 roboa AG, ETH spin-off and Pioneer Fellowship alumni, was awarded one of the two runner-up prizes for its robotic system designed to inspect and access hard-to-reach environments.
 
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀:
• CCRAFT
• GlycoEra
• roboa (ETH spin-off & Pioneer Fellowship alumni)
(Alexander Kübler, Betim Djambazi, Pascal Auf der Maur)
• Laboratories (ETH spin-off)
(Imad Abdallah)
• Potential (ETH spin-off)
(Anetta Platek-Mielczarek, Federico Paratore, David Taylor, Emilio Dal Re, Pier Giuseppe Rivano)

Thanks as well to Barbara Bleisch for the inspiring talk at this year’s award ceremony.
 
The ZKB Pionierpreis Technopark is one of Switzerland’s leading awards for deep-tech start-ups, recognizing groundbreaking technologies close to market entry and supporting founders with visibility, funding and industry connections. Great to see such strong ETH representation among this year’s finalists!
 
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