START Summit 2026 will once again bring together Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in St. Gallen, positioning itself as one of the continent’s leading early-stage conferences at the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship.
Organised by students, the event connects founders, investors, corporates, researchers, and policymakers to explore the direction of European innovation and the realities shaping the next generation of companies.
Beyond The AI Hype
Under the theme “Embrace New Horizons,” the 2026 edition focuses on what comes after the initial wave of AI enthusiasm.
Rather than centering on surface-level excitement, START Summit 2026 examines:
- What remains once the AI hype stabilises or accelerates
- Which technologies and business models demonstrate long-term resilience
- Where consolidation, friction, and failure may occur
- How Europe can convert research excellence into globally competitive companies
The program highlights the structural shifts shaping deep tech, AI, and industrial innovation across the continent.
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Spotlight On The Alpine Axis
A defining feature of START Summit 2026 is its focus on the Alpine axis, spanning Switzerland and neighbouring regions.
This area combines dense applied research ecosystems, precision engineering capabilities, resilient industrial supply chains, and close collaboration between academia and industry.
To reflect this regional strength, the event introduces the Alpine Stage as a dedicated platform showcasing deep tech, robotics, AI, and industrial innovation emerging from this ecosystem.
Three Stages, Distinct Perspectives
START Summit 2026 will feature three main stages, each addressing a different dimension of innovation.
The Summit Stage hosts high-profile speakers and strategic discussions on Europe’s technological future, offering big-picture conversations designed to inspire a broad audience.
The Builder Stage concentrates on practical company building, covering topics from seed stage to IPO. It emphasizes transparent founder experiences, including both successes and setbacks, providing actionable insights for early-stage entrepreneurs.
The Alpine Stage highlights the Alpine innovation corridor, focusing on deep tech, robotics, applied research, and industrial transformation.
Confirmed Speakers
The START Summit 2026 speaker lineup includes prominent figures from across Europe’s startup and technology ecosystem, including:
- Felix Ohswald, Co-Founder and CEO of GoStudent
- Verena Pausder, Board Member of the German Startup Association
- Thomas Clozel, Co-Founder and CEO of OWKIN
- Daniel W. Dippold, Founder and CEO of EWOR
- Helmut Schoenenberger, Co-Founder and CEO of UnternehmerTUM
- Melanie Gabriel, Co-Founder of Yokoy and Follow the Gradient
- Dirk Hoerig, Founder of commercetools
- Simon Michel, CEO of Ypsomed AG and Swiss National Councillor
- Philipp Schröder, Founder and CEO of 1KOMMA5°
- Péter Fankhauser, Co-Founder and CEO of ANYbotics
- Dr. Robert Fink, CTO of Helsing
Core Themes For 2026
The agenda will explore topics including:
- AI beyond short-term hype cycles
- Capital allocation, funding realities, and founder resilience
- Deep tech and robotics within the Alpine innovation corridor
- Building and scaling startups in Europe
- Translating research into scalable businesses
- Europe’s entrepreneurial future in a global context
Pitching Competitions And Startup Exposure
START Summit 2026 will host pitching competitions for early-stage startups across deep tech, AI, healthtech, and related sectors.
Selected startups will gain stage exposure, investor visibility, and the opportunity to compete for prizes of up to CHF 40,000.
Applications are open until 06 March 2025.
Experience Areas And Community Engagement
Beyond the main stages, the summit will feature curated experience areas, including:
- An Alpine Area extending the themes of the Alpine Stage
- A St. Gallen Area highlighting the host canton’s innovation ecosystem
- A Deep Tech Area showcasing cutting-edge technologies
- Co-working, networking, and meeting spaces across the venue
The START Fair will present selected early-stage startups from around the world, creating a platform for direct exchange between founders, investors, and ecosystem partners.
In addition to keynote sessions and panels, the program includes workshops, side events, and a public Food Festival designed to encourage informal networking and broader community participation.
START Summit 2026 aims to provide not only inspiration but also practical insights and tangible connections for Europe’s next generation of founders and innovators.
