Kickstart Accelerator calling all startups

After a successful start in 2016, start-up support programme Kickstart Accelerator returns for a second edition this year.

Last year, the Switzerland-based programme attracted 850 start-ups from 40 countries. The 30 most promising were invited to develop their project in Zurich, where they benefited from the know-how of bigger companies present.

Applications for this year's Kickstart Accelerator can be submitted until the end of April. The programme is especially looking for promising ideas and products in Food, FinTech, Smart Cities and Robotics & Intelligent Systems – especially if they have the potential to disrupt their sector and add value to society.

For its part, AXA Switzerland, which partners with the Kickstart Accelerator programme for the second year running, wants to focus on Smart Cities, as evolutions in this sector will have a major impact on mobility behaviour, and ultimately on insurers. AXA offers selected start-ups the benefit of its deep know-how and vast network.

By 2016, the first programme resulted in six partnerships between start-ups and large enterprises.

Image: Kickstart Accelerator