MassChallengeTM, the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet, today unveiled more than 70 finalists for the 2016 accelerator program to be held near Lausanne this summer. This year’s class was selected from more than 450 applicants across a diverse range of industries and geographies, including 14 countries and from around Switzerland, including Vaud, Zurich, Luzern, Geneva, Sankt Gallen, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, and Valais.
The complete list of finalists can be found here.
“MassChallenge Switzerland has attracted top startups in some key high-growth industries that will be working on solving some of the world’s biggest problems,” said Stefan Dobrev, Founding Partner of MassChallenge Switzerland and Nestlé Global Portfolio Manager. “We are proud to be working with them to help create the solutions and jobs of the future.”
“We are excited to be welcoming our first cohort of very competitive and extremely high-impact international startups to our accelerator in June,” said Chris Thoen, Founding Partner of MassChallenge Switzerland and Sr VP Head of Global Science and Technology Givaudan SA. “We have managed to build an engaged community of entrepreneurs, mentors, and partners that are willing to provide the support and access required by the early stage startups to succeed. As we are non-for-profit and equity-free, we are completely focused on creating value and driving real change not only in our own community, but around the world.”
MassChallenge’s unique model leverages an outside pool of judges and mentors from the community to help select the finalists. Representing a diverse mix of perspectives and backgrounds, this year’s experts included 70 of the world’s top entrepreneurs and investors from UBS, Waypoint Capital, VI partners and Beyond Investing.
Startups from a wide range of industries were evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate impact and potential, ranging from scientific breakthroughs to industry disruptions.
The top industries for finalists include the Internet of Things (IoT), publishing, fintech, and healthcare and life sciences. Of the more than 70 startups selected:
- 34 % are in high tech
- 24 % are general, retail and consumer goods
- 25 % are healthcare and life sciences
- 12 % are social impact
- 6 % are cleantech and energy
As part of the accelerator, the 2016 cohort will have the opportunity to engage with high-profile speakers, expert mentors, and a global network of support throughout high-level corporate and governmental connections during the four-month program. Startups will also have free access to co-working space, wet lab, industry resources, and the prototyping lab located at UniverCity, the Renens open laboratory based in the upcoming Ateliers de la Ville de Renens, Vaud.
The accelerator program will culminate on November 2016, at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards Ceremony, where entrepreneurs will pitch their startups with the chance to win a share of 1 million CHF in zero-equity awards and different in-kind prizes.
“There’s a universal need and responsibility to help early stage startups across all industries and backgrounds succeed as they set out to solve some of society’s biggest problems,” said John Harthorne, Founder and CEO of MassChallenge. “Communities that focus on creating an environment that’s open, collaborative, and supportive will drive more value, opportunities, and wealth as a result. We’re proud to continue advocating for this movement and fueling innovation around the world through our global accelerators.”
Moving ahead with global expansion, MassChallenge also announced finalists for its programs in Boston and Israel, and opened applications for the UK and Mexico, which is also in its first year. Interested applicants can visit: apply.masschallenge.org/uk or apply.masschallenge.org/mexico.
About MassChallenge:
MassChallenge is the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet. No equity and not-for-profit, we are obsessed with helping entrepreneurs across any industry. We also reward the highest-impact startups through a competition to win a portion of several million dollars in equity-free cash awards. Through our global network of accelerators in Boston, London and Jerusalem and unrivalled access to our corporate partners, we can have a massive impact – driving growth and creating value the world over. To date, the 835 MassChallenge alumni have raised over $1.3 billion in funding, generated over $575 million in revenue and created over 8,500 jobs. For more information, visit www.masschallenge.org.