Celebrating a Decade of Impact: 189 Startups Compete for Over CHF 100,000 in Non-Dilutive Prizes at 11th Annual Awards Night
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — October 5, 2026 — MassChallenge Switzerland, part of the global non-profit accelerator network helping entrepreneurs solve massive challenges, will host its 2026 Awards Night tonight at Beaulieu, Lausanne. The ceremony will celebrate the 2026 cohort and award high-impact startups with non-dilutive cash and in-kind prizes, enabling them to scale without sacrificing equity.
This year’s cohort was selected from a competitive pool of 1,961 applicants, with 189 startups making the cut. During the ceremony, several top-performing ventures will receive significant funding, including the MassChallenge Diamond Prize (valued at over CHF 100,000) and the CHF 100,000 LDC Impact Prize. The evening will also honor the experts and partners whose support makes the program possible.
MassChallenge Switzerland‘s Proven Track Record of Impact
The 2026 Awards Night marks the 11th edition of MassChallenge Switzerland’s flagship event. Over the past decade, the program has supported 1,175 startups from across the globe, which have collectively raised CHF 2.9 billion and generated 86,400 jobs. This impact has been made possible through the ongoing commitment of 34 corporate partners, who contribute not only financial support but also dedicated mentorship and resources.
Past winners illustrate the caliber of startups the program attracts. In 2025, MYNERVA AG—a wearable neuroprosthesis restoring foot sensation for people with peripheral neuropathy—took home the Diamond Prize of CHF 140,000. The previous year, Myriad Optics, an EPFL spin-off specializing in bacterial pathogen identification, received the Platinum Award of CHF 80,000. The 2023 Diamond Prize went to Impossible Materials, recognized for its work in sustainable materials.
Event Highlights:
- 17:30 — Startups Expo featuring more than 60 alumni and finalists
- 18:30 — Awards Ceremony
- 19:45 — Apéro and networking
The event is open to the public and free to attend with registration. To reserve a spot, visit: https://luma.com/gue5iiqt
About MassChallenge Switzerland
MassChallenge Switzerland is part of MassChallenge, the global non-profit accelerator helping entrepreneurs solve massive challenges. Ranked second among US accelerators by TIME in 2026, MassChallenge Switzerland has accelerated 1,175 startups across industries since 2016, which have collectively raised more than $2.9 billion in funding. Ranked fourth in Europe for its startup network by the Financial Times in 2026, the organization recently expanded with a new hub in London. Follow MassChallenge Switzerland on LinkedIn and WhatsApp.
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