Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future.
At the Founder Institute, we know times are tough, but we also know that economic downturns are a great time to start a business. This isn't just conjecture - the Founder Institute was started in April of 2009 (during the "Great Recession"), and world-leading companies like Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple also took advantage of cost savings during a recession to launch and get their initial traction.
That's why we are excited to announce today that applications are now open for the Switzerland Spring 2026 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Zurich's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Switzerland Spring 2026 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Zurich over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 1:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/387655
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 5:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/388890
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza of Boardy (VIP Event): 4:00pm, Mar 19, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/390005
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 5:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/389098
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 2:00am, Mar 27, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/392272
- Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 6:00pm, Mar 31, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/392598
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 2:00am, Apr 08, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/390229
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 6:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/390785
- From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 6:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/392462
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 2:00am, May 19, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/390357
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/390517
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 2:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/393240
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 2:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/393562
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/390655
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/393363
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/391207
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/391355
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/392980
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/391635
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 2:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/390931
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/393493
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/393117
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 2:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/391496
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Zurich): https://FI.co/e/391067
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the devoted support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading post-programs.
The Zurich program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Ingeborg Gasser-Kriss (Board Director, Innovation Advisor , FoodTech), Kasia Sadowska (Founder, FutureHabits.Tech), Lilla Peczely (co-director, Founder Institute Switzerland - Israel chapter), Simon Fuehrer (Program Manager, Founder Institute Austria), Stephan Kreiger (Director, FI Vienna).
In addition, some of Zurich's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Zurich Founder Institute includes:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- Adrian Hirt: CEO & Founder
- Adriano Di Dia: Chief Marketing Officer, Fyffes International SA
- Aksil Amel: Mr., aux pieds des bibans
- Alain Nydegger: Founding Partner, 21Celsius Ventures
- Alastair Wong: General Partner, Big Wok Ventures
- Alejandro Garcia: CEO & Founder , AI Retailer Systems
- Aleksandar Bradic: Chief Technology Officer, Supplyframe
- Aleksandrin Ludmilova: add details, add details
- Alena Hloba: Conference Producer, 0100
- Alessandro Tschabold: Entrepreneur and Startup Coach
- Alex Von Mühlenen: Founder & CEO, Chainwork
- Alexander Mathys: Assistant Professor of Sustainable Food Processing, ETH Zuerich
- Alexander Schmitt: CTO, FYTA GmbH
- Alexandra Pastollnigg: Founder, Fair Voyage
- Alexandra Pinto: Founder, hoursec
- Alexandre Bastos: Global Director Innovation, Givaudan
- Alice Sachova Kleisli: Partner, Vendbridge AG
- Amine Tazi: Founder & Managing Partner, AT Swiss Ventures
- Amit Grinvald: Strategic Communication Expert, Public Speaking Coach, Community Builder & Experience Architect, Amit Grinvald Consulting
- Ana Veremyova: Founder, PR Advisor, Trust
- Andrew Ive: Founder / Managing General Partner, Big Idea Ventures
- Anette Gärtner: Intellectual Property Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
- Angela Stathi: Expert at European Innovation Council, .
- Anja Willms: Founder & Managing Director Shileo GmbH/ Venture Architect for Sparrow Ventures, Shileo GmbH
- Annu Gmeiner: Principal , Xista Science Ventures
- Antoine Mallard: VP, Causality Link
- Antonios Kouris: CEO, Curzyy
- Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, Iaculus
- Ari Veltman: Business Strategy Advisor | Board Director | CBDO@, Sparko.TV
- Ari Aaltonen: CEO , Efides.io
- Armin Fricke: Managing Director, CGC Capital-Gain Consultants GmbH
- Aron Braun: Founder / Co-Founder, Epigenomics AG / Arpega AG / Zimballo GmbH
- Balthasar Wicki: Senior Partner, Wicki Partners Ltd
- Barak Peled: Managing Partner, DR Ventures
- Barbara Rübel: Managing Partner, Brand Essence AG
- Barbara Van Lodensteijn: Founder & Business Psychologist MSC, Vision Aligns
- Bart Clarysse: Professor of Entrepreneurship, ETH Zuerich
- Bart Jan Veldhuizen: CEO and Co-Founder, KitchenRepublic
- Bastian Thurneysen
- Beat Scheidegger: Co-Founder, Company Factory AG
- Benjamin Elad Rubin: CEO, Advisor & Angel Investor, Sirenum, Insectika, Pro-Active,
- Bhaskar Bulusu: Associate Partner, IBM India
- Bogdan Vasile: Co-founder, phase2
- Bogdan Krinitchko: CEO & Founder , BRU
- Brad Peppard: Partner & Principal, Ravix Group
- Carina Freundt: Consultant / Former Director Strategic Planning & Analytics, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health
- Carl P-Conquilla: Director / Design Engineer, Torson Injex AG
- Carlo Loderer: CEO, Zippsafe AG
- Carlos Da Silva: Director, Founder Institute Portugal
- Carlos Ruiz: CEO & Co-Founder, Flatev AG
- Carolin Schneider: Founder & CEO, 4di2 GmbH
- Caroline Schwieger: Category Director Home Care, Unilever
- Cassiano Gobbet: Founder, Troovr
- Catherine Falk
- Cedric Waldburger: Founder & General Partner, Tomahawk.vc
- Cédric Waldburger: CEO, tenderloin ventures
- Chander Nagpal: Managing Partner, Enabling Excellence
- Charlotte Christensen: Executive Director, Fintocat
- Chevonae Walcott: Associate, Relay Ventures
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
- Christian Bärtsch: CEO and Co-Founder, Essento
- Christian Zeidler: Co-Founder and CEO, Adaptive
- Christina Hoffmann: CEO and Founder, BRANDMIND
- Christine Gould: Founder & CEO, Thought For Food
- Christodoulos Papachristou: COO, Funkmartini
- Christof Tremp: Founder and CEO, REBELS 0.0%
- Christoph Sollich: Freelancer, The Pitch Doctor
- Christoph Laib: CEO, Founder, ViOS GmbH
- Christoph Birkholz: Co-President & Founder, Impact Hub Switzerland
- Christoph Kellenberger: CEO and Co-Founder , DrinkPure / Novamem
- Clemence Marcilly
- Costas Papaikonomou: Co-Founder, Happen
- Cristobal Sanchez: Global Marketing & Digital Leader – BUSINESS ACCELERATOR, Invacare
- Daan Weddepohl: CEO & Founder, Peerby
- Dalith Steiger: Co-Founder / Managing Partner, SwissCognitive / Cognitive Valley
- Daniel Kästli: Co-founder, Lead Customer Success, Spontacts, Frontify
- Daniel Puerta Diaz: Founder and expert on Industrialization and Scale-up, Sunflower Labs
- Daniel Neder: Venture Partner, Flashpoint Venture Capital
- Daniel Michael Böhi: Executive Coach, Founder & Investor, Founder Institute
- David Butler: Director, Startup Grind Zurich
- David Lunsford
- Deep Moteria: Founder , Elluminati
- Devesh Kothari: Technical Program Manager, Google Austria
- Dionysis Linaras: President of the Investment Committee, Hellenic Pension Fund
- Dominique Dufour: CEO, Blue Wave Consulting
- Dr Mark Post: Founder , Mosameat
- Eddie Laventman: Founder & CEO, Goodpoint - Storytelling Masters
- Edgar Kussberg: AI Group Product Manager, Snyk
- Elena Mlotok: General Manager, Head of EU Newsstand, Amazon
- Elena Walder Schiavone: Managing Partner, Übermorgen Ventures
- Eleni Lialiamou: Founder, Kimolian Academy
- Eliana Zamprogna: CEO and Founder, Yumame Foods
- Elias Kleimann: Founder & CFO, Wingtra
- Elisa Chiarelli: CEO and Founder, Yoordi
- Emil Virag: Founder, Foodanza, Inc.
- Eric Postler: Managing Partner, Impact Hub Bern
- Erika Darmstaedter: Co-Founder, Collective63
- Erin Chen: Founder& CEO, Gilly, Inc.
- Eszter Tanczos Olver: Partner , EJ Capital AG
- Ethan Aiem: Founder & CEO, Klendify
- Fabian De Vos: User Journey Manager, MoneyPark
- Fabio Ziemssen: Director Food Innovation, NX-FOOD (METRO AG)
- Felix Kernbichler: Attorney at Law, Kernbichler Law
- Ferdinand Dietrich: Co- Founder, Storebox
- Fiorella Erni: CEO and Founder, Cheetah Stories SA
- Flavio Rump: Entrepreneur and Investor, Flavio Rump
- Florian Nyffenegger: Founder, Agedo
- Florian Kandler: Pitch & Fundraising Expert, Der Perfekte Pitch
- Fortunat Diener: Founder , AVEC-SAVE AG
- Frank Mertens: Founder & CEO, FM Consulting GmbH
- Fraser Doherty: Founder/Co-Founder, SuperJam | Beer52.com
- Freddy Atangana: Founder and Chief Executive Director, Ekamou
- Frieder Damm: Managing Director & Founder / Chairman , Daizu & Sleep.ink / German FoodTech Expert Group
- Gal Nachum: Active Chairman, xFind / Cognishape
- Galit Farkash: Corporate Counsel & Strategic Advisor, Galit Farkash
- Georg Greve
- Georg Molzer: CEO & Founder, Shadowmap
- George Papanikolaou: Founder and Owner, WINE ART SA
- German Ramirez: Co-founder & Chief Relevance Officer, THE RELEVANCE HOUSE AG
- Gianmaria Monteleone: Founder , YouniteStars SpA
- Gil Margalit: CEO, PhoneDue Technology in Motion
- Gonçalo Castanho: CEO, Avenue Ideas Lda
- Greg Chew: CEO, Founder, QPQ
- Greg Beardwell: CEO and Co-Founder , Connie's Kitchen
- Gregor Zehetner: Founder, GZE Advisory
- Guillaume Balas: Angel Investor | Mentor | Entrepreneur, 3scale / Meta Pool / The Inbound Labs / Tings
- Guillaume Rozenblat: Founding Partner, Seven Lanes Capital
- Guillermo Söhnlein: Co-Founder & CEO , Blue Marble ExplorationBlue Marble Exploration
- Gulnaz Khusainova: CEO & Founder, EasySize
- Gunter Pauli: Founder / Director, ZERI
- Guy Zurawel: Angel Investor
- Haim Rot: C.E.O, Cohen Rot Financial Management
- Hans Stier: Founder & CEO, Bonaverde Coffee AG
- Helena Frumson: Systemic Growth Architect, Co-Founder at NeoClear, Founder at infinita Club, Infinita Club & NeoClear
- Henrietta Hearth: Investment Principal , Big Idea Ventures
- Herman Gyr: Member of the Board, Eligma
- Hilda Kilama: Founder, YouTold
- Hilda Liswani: Founder, webloom
- Huang Chen: DigiDream Solutions e.U. || CEO & Founder || Product Owner & Manager, DigiDream Solutions e.U
- Ido Zahavi: Associate, Arnon, Tadmor-Levy
- Ingeborg Gasser Kriss: Board Member, Advisor , Agent21
- Ion Badekas: CEO, M-Stat SA
- Irina Berkon: Member, Golden Seeds
- Ivo Ronner: VC & Advisor, Swiss Post Ventures, Digital Twins, etc.
- Jacques Hefti: Entrepreneur, Investor & Senior Lecturer, Startup Campus
- Jana Thiel: Senior Researcher ETH Zuerich, ETH Zuerich
- Janne Saarikko: Director, Food Ecosystems Accelerator, Founder Institute
- Jay Marathe: Fundraising adviser and investment banker for growth companies in energy technologies, Bryan, Garnier & Co.
- Jean Philippe Spinas: Principal, Kienbaum
- Jeff Shapiro: Partner, Bounty M&R
- Jeroen Maudens: Managing Partner, ONEtoONE Corporate Finance
- Jerome Mutschler: CEO and Co-founder , Demetrics
- Jessica Korthuis: Founder & CEO, SOHUIS
- Jiaran Wang: CEO, Expand Future GmbH
- Jill Allemang: Founder and Managing Director, jallé
- Jim Cheng: Serial Entrepreneur and Advisor
- Jimmy Jaspers: Founder, CEO, Vincitori Technologies
- Joanna Demkow Bartlomé
- Joanna Kapela: Founder, SLEEBOO
- Julia Devecchi: Entrepreneur/Mentor, Venturelab
- Julien Lepetit: Director Europe, The Business of Trust
- Jürg Stuker: Partner, Kickstart Innovation
- Kamran Houshang Pour: Patent Expert , Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
- Kartik Buddha: Co-Founder/CTO, MOOCTORS
- Kasia Sadowska: Founder, FutureHabits.Tech
- Katharina Kurz: Co-founder & MD , BRLO craft beer
- Kezia Cottrell: Senior Innovation Consultant, Happen.com
- Klaus Kummermehr: Co-Founder and Partner , SNGLR Group
- Konstantin Berezin: Technology Entrepreneur , Stealth Mode
- Kostas Karolemeas: Founder, CEO, Allcancode
- Laurentiu Christian Nat: Co-Founder, Easyplan Hospitality
- Lavina Ramkissoon: AI Ethics and Technology Policy, African Union
- Lea Von Bidder: Co-Founder and CEO, Ava Science
- Léa Miggiano: CMO and Co-Founder, Carvolution
- Leonidas Papadopoulos: Growth Strategist/CEO, Viable Growth Marketing Agency
- Lidia Zabala: Co-Lead , Lean In Zurich
- Lilla Peczely: co-director, Founder Institute Switzerland
- Liran Akavia: Serial entrepreneur (2 exits) | Executive Chairman | , CallMarker / Seebo / Sogomatic / Intelichain
- Luca Ferraro: Program Manager, Teleflex
- Luis Allo: Director External Innovation R&D, Kenvue
- Lukas Böni: Co-Founder, Planted
- Lukas Wieser: Co-Founder, myflexbox
- Lydia Bronze: Founder, Linie7
- Magdalena Tarasinska: Investor, SICTIC
- Majbritt Byskov Bridges: COO and Co-Founder, Alver World SA
- Malgorzata Goraczek: Founder, Funding Coach
- Manpreet Kohli: Senior Principal, Adobe
- Manuel Gonzalez: CEO and Managing Partner, Global RIFF
- Manuel Rinaldi: Program Director , Starta VC
- Mara Rada: Chief Operations and Strategy, Loon (loonbio.com)
- Marcel Gasser: Managing Director and Founder, GEN (Global Entrepreneurship Network) | AKASHA
- Marco Tosoni: Startup Advisor, Freelancer
- Marcus Kuhn: Co-Founder, Viable Labs
- Marina Helm Romaneschi: President and Co-Founder, foodward
- Marita Price: Founder & Director, Hello
- Mark Leinemann: Founder & President, Crowdfoods.com - the 1st AgriFood/-Tech Startup Association in DACHLI
- Markus Ursprung: Owner, Level 48
- Markus Haas: Regional Director, Asia & Oceania, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA
- Martin Boos: Partner, Amatin
- Martin Frühwirt, enablico
- Martin Habfast
- Martina Frick: Attorney at Law and Mediator SBA, lic. iur., LL.M., Eversheds Sutherland
- Martina Vitezova: Managing Director, NextPlay
- Mateja Kramar: Serial Entrepreneur / Project Lead, ETH Zuerich / Swiss Smart Farming
- Matthias Dorner: Founder, Wydr
- Matthias Käch: Senior IP Trainer, Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
- Max Itskovich: CEO and Founder, Mobindustry
- Micha Verhagen: Coach & Consultant & Program Manager, StartupBootcamp / ng Strategic Programme Management
- Michael Blank: Investment Manager, Investiere.ch
- Michael Baier: Start-up-, Venture Capital- & M&A-Lawyer, Wenger & Vieli
- Michael Striligás: Founder, Vertliner
- Michael Mosimann: Partner, Eversheds Sutherland Ltd.
- Michael Dudli: CEO and Founder, Xelon
- Michelle Grant: Committee Member and Lecturer, ETH Zuerich World Food System Centre & Swiss Committee of UN FAO
- Michelle Tschumi: Head Start-up Finance, Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB)
- Mike Suprovici: Head of Acceleration, VC Lab
- Mike Lingle: Entrepreneur / Mentor, Rocket Pro Forma
- Mike Abegg: Lawyer, Wenger & Vieli
- Mine Uran: CEO and Founder, Alver
- Mohammad Hossein Tavangar: Director , Founder Institute Germany
- Monika Bercu: COO, GrowersTech
- Morgaine Gaye: Founder, Dr Gaye
- Moshe Mikanovsky: Product Director, Rootquotient
- Moshe David: Founder, Investor & Startup Mentor, Zugi Ventures
- Nadav Kaidar: Partner, Systems Of Disruption
- Nadine Zerrini: Director, Founder Institute Boston
- Natasha Drapeau: Founder, Augeous Advisory
- Nathan Evans: Founder | Angel Investor | Advisor , AURIS Investment
- Neriya Rosner: Founder , SpecBite
- Nicola D'Apice: Sr Manager Engineering EMEA, Johnson & Johnson
- Nicolas Egger: COO, Poinz
- Nik Zechner: Founder & Managing Director, Grauberg
- Nilson Kufus: Co-founder, Nomoko
- Nimrod Vromen: Partner, Yigal Arnon
- Nina Portier Reinhart: Managing Director, Reinhart Capital
- Noah Pickholtz: Founder & VC Investor | +$100M Raised for Startups & VC Funds, Champel Capital
- Noam Tamari-Wekser: Growth Investor, TheCircle
- Noemi Nagy: Business Development , Alpine Angel Investors
- Oana Ria Nasaudeanu Ghinea: Regional Manager, SINGA Switzerland
- Ofer HaCohen: Head of Innovation Center, Israel, AT&T
- Olena Bochulia: Co-Founder, Severus
- Olha Kubiv: Startup Mentor, Beloyara
- Oliver Flueckiger: Entrepreneur, Lecturer, Startup, University of Zurich
- Oliver Stahl: FOUNDER, Snackbox Express / Früchtebox Express / Hofladen Express / Dalou / Fruchtbox Express
- Olivier Laube
- Oron Zachar: CEO & Founder , Vytonic
- Otto Freijser: Co-Founder / Lean Innovation Lead, Perpetulon
- Pamela Wolf: Impact Advisor , ex-Salesforce
- Panagiotis Tomadakis: General Manager, Oriani
- Pascal Brunner: CEO, Vatorex
- Pascal Koenig: Co-Founder | Member of the Board, AVA Women
- Patricia Kastner: Angel Investor, Strategic Advisor
- Patrick Blumenthal: Investment Manager, Ecosystem Ventures
- Patrycja Pielaszek: CEO/Founder, WeCoCo.io
- Paul D'souza: President and CEO, The D'Souza Group
- Paul Peyrot: Partner, Peyrot, Schlegel & Györffy
- Peter Lazou: Creative Future Venture Builder & Investor, otherDOTS
- Philippe Küng: Executive Board Member, resilient
- Pierre Gaubil
- Pierre Alain Ceralli: CEO & Co-Founder OriginFood / Former Executive Ambrosus, OriginFood
- Pouria Kay: Founding Partner, Atlan
- Raanan Shenhav: Founder, RS-CPD
- Rachel Sheppard: Digital Strategist & Startup Mentor - Helping Female Founders Launch & Grow Their Businesses Around the Globe, Founder Institute HQ
- Ralph Walter: CTO, Assentis
- Ralph Mogicato: Member of the Advisory Board, Swiss Finance Startups
- Raphaela Kurer: C0-Founder | CMO, Meloncast
- Réginald Bien Aimé: Founder & Managing Director, Veelab
- Rene Lehmann: Co-Founder, Kanbii Solutions AG
- Ricardo Perez Font: Head of Marketing, BOBST
- Roland Siegwart: Professor Autonomous Systems, ETH Zuerich
- Rolf Van De Velde, Undagrid
- Rusty Schwartz: CEO, KitchenTown
- Ryan Micheletti: Head of Global Operations, Founder Institute
- Ryan Bethencourt: CEO, Wild Earth
- Sabrina Tachdjian: Head of Ecosystem APAC, Hedera Hashgraph
- Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
- Sandeep Raju: Co-founder and Director, Samaaru India
- Sandro Kunz: Co-Founder & CEO, Pingen
- Sasha Schriber: Founder and CEO, Nanos.AI
- Sean Paul Shanor: Bliss, Breathwork, Startup Coach, Synergy Space
- Sébastien Flury: Co-founder & CEO, Coteries SA
- Sharon Alvarez: Chair Entrepreneurial Studies, Graduate School of Business / University of Pittsburgh
- Sharon Tal: Author & Facilitator, Where to Play
- Shira Teger: Attorney, Arnon, Tadmor - Levy
- Simon Heinzle: CEO and co-founder, Crowd
- Simon Dössegger: former CEO, modum
- Simon Gerstler: Helped over 200 companies increase sales | 2 tech exits | Founder UAE-Israel Business Council | Angel investor, Pipe Global
- S.K. Lee: Angel/LP + Coach, Launch Lab
- Sona Chandra: CEO and Founder, Terra Lumina
- Sonia Eterno: CEO and Founder, SHUBiDU AG
- Sophie Neuhut: President, Impact Angel Investors
- Søren Bjønness: Partner, Catapult Capital GmbH
- Stavros Pavlidis: Head Direct and Strategic Investments, Deep Capital Group
- Stephan Kreiger: Director, FI Austria
- Stephanie Naegeli: Chief Strategic Business Development Officer, SV Group
- Stephen Dowling: Global Vice President - Marketing | Digital Commerce | Go To Market, adidas
- Stijn Pieper: Founder & CTO, Advanon
- Sunnie Groeneveld: CEO & Founder, Inspire 925
- Susanne Lauber Fuerst: Founder & CEO , InnoNext
- Sush Bapna: General Partner, 10Ten Ventures
- Suzanne Van der Maarel: Lead Food & Retail | Investor Program, Kickstart Innovation
- Tal Tuchman: Global Director, Deel
- Tatjana De Kerros: Head of Venturing @RicoLab, RicoLab
- Thomas Baer: Chief Operations Officer, Koch & Gsell
- Thomas Boesch: Co-Founder, Earlybird Food
- Thomas Ackermann: Co-Director, Founder Institute Switzerland
- Thomas Helbling: Co-CEO, CARU AG
- Thomas Walbert: Ecosystem Leader, DEEP Ecosystems
- Tim Delhaes: CEO, Restacked.ai
- Tim Reinermann: Senior Projektmanager Digitales Marketing, Schwyzer Kantonalbank
- Timo Hahn: Chief Venture Officer, Sparrow Ventures
- Tobias Gunzenhauser: Co-Founder and CEO, Yamo
- Trudi Haemmerli: Partner, SNGLR CAPITAL
- Ulla Fletscher: CEO, HEYLIFE
- Unnat Bak: CEO, Revscale
- U Shin Kim, U-Shin Group Agency (UGA)
- Valentina Podda, Radical Value
- Vera Futorjanski, Veritas Ventures
- Veroniek Vermeulen: Founder, Silatha
- Vincent Irrling: Co-Founder | CEO, KAPSLY
- Wendelien Loopik: Director Digital Innovation, Royal Haskoning DHV
- Willy Bischofberger: MSc Computer Science ETH, MBA INSEAD, Serial Entrepreneur
- Yael Daniely: A start-up psychologist, coach and Co founders therapist, YD- Scale Up your Business
- Yaniv Lavi: CEO and Co-Founder, fitto
- Yoav Bar: VicePresident, CocaCola Israel
- Yury Melnichek: Co-founder & ex-CEO, MAPS.ME
- And many more to be announced.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 8,900 Alumni raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
Join us in Zurich and help build the future.
Apply to the Switzerland Spring 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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