HSG Start Accelerator: Go-to-Market Program for Tech Innovations

Building Companies Based on Research Excellence

The HSG START Accelerator is a tax-exempt nonprofit foundation initiated by the University of St. Gallen, the START Foundation, and Switzerland Innovation Park Ost. Its goal is to successfully bring technological innovations from leading universities along the Alpine axis—from France through Switzerland and Italy to Germany and Austria—to market. Although the universities in this region rank among the best in the world, a large portion of their research remains stuck in the lab: While in the U.S., one dollar out of every four spent on research goes toward market launch, this ratio in Switzerland is only 1:9. The accelerator closes this gap by supporting deep-tech teams as they enter the market and accelerating the transfer of world-class research into sustainable economic success.

A hands-on program for deep-tech founders

Twice a year, 20 to 25 deep-tech founders—divided into seven to nine teams—participate in a multi-month accelerator program in St. Gallen. In intensive sessions, they develop key commercialization fundamentals such as go-to-market strategy, unit economics, and financial planning, supplemented by individual mentoring and preparation for venture capital financing. In this way, the founders gain practical entrepreneurial experience while bringing their technology to market readiness and meeting with investors at Demo Day.

A Strong Network as a Door-Opener

The program’s particular strength lies in its network of high-profile individuals who volunteer their time and provide the teams with direct access to relevant circles through personal recommendations and “warm introductions”. Many of these individuals come from the HSG Alumni Network. This allows the founders to gain practical entrepreneurial experience and lay a solid foundation for bringing their innovations to market.