START Summit, one of Europe’s most influential conferences for entrepreneurship and innovation, is officially opening the next chapter: tickets for START Summit 2026 are now on sale.
Organised by START Global, the student-led initiative from the University of St. Gallen, the summit has grown into a flagship event for founders, investors, corporates, policymakers, and the next generation of entrepreneurial talent. Each year, thousands of participants from across Europe and beyond gather in St. Gallen to exchange ideas, build lasting connections, and shape the future of innovation.
Where Ambition, Innovation, and Execution Come Together
START Summit is more than a traditional conference format. It is a platform designed to bring together people who build companies, back innovation, and drive systemic change. Through a curated mix of keynotes, panels, workshops, startup pitches, and structured networking formats, the summit creates an environment where meaningful conversations and long-term collaborations can emerge.
Covering topics from artificial intelligence and deeptech to sustainability, fintech, and digital infrastructure, START Summit reflects the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing today’s startup ecosystem.
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First Speakers Confirmed for START Summit 2026
While the full program will be announced over the coming months, the first confirmed speakers already signal the ambition behind the 2026 edition. As the START Summit team puts it: “We thought: let’s start slow. But our program team doesn’t know ‘slow’.”
The first announced speakers include:
- Felix Ohswald, Co-Founder & CEO of GoStudent GmbH
- Verena Pausder, Board Member, Startup-Verband
- Thomas Clozel, Co-Founder & CEO of OWKIN
- Daniel W. Dippold, Founder & CEO of EWOR
- Helmut Schoenenberger, Co-Founder & CEO of UnternehmerTUM
- Melanie Gabriel, Co-Founder of Yokoy & Follow the Gradient
- Dirk Hoerig, Founder of commercetools
- Simon Michel, CEO of Ypsomed AG & National Councillor
- Philipp Schröder, Founder & CEO of 1KOMMA5°
- Péter Fankhauser, Co-Founder & CEO of ANYbotics
From unicorn founders and deeptech pioneers to ecosystem builders and political decision-makers, these first names offer an early preview of the diversity and caliber attendees can expect in 2026.
Tickets for START Summit 2026 Are Now on Sale
With tickets officially available, early access is recommended. START Summit consistently attracts a highly international audience and sees strong demand across all ticket categories.
Whether you are building a startup, scaling a company, investing in innovation, or looking to immerse yourself in Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, START Summit 2026 offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading voices and connect with the people shaping the future.
👉 Get your ticket for START Summit 2026 now and secure your place in St. Gallen.
