No. 1 pre-seed acceleration program for ambitious B2B tech startups in Switzerland.
Fast-track your business in our jam-packed 10-week acceleration program that covers the most important topics,
from team setup to fundraising strategies, in the pre-seed phase.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Priceless hands-on guidance from well experienced tech entrepreneurs.
A 10-week journey that provides practical and individual advice from some of the most experienced tech entrepreneurs and business experts in Switzerland, with the aim to provide founders with the best possible conditions to successfully build scalable businesses.
WHAT YOU GET
Results You Can Build On
Laser focus on what breaks startups
Our one-to-one sessions are relentless in surfacing your biggest blind spots and pressure testing your riskiest assumptions. We focus where it hurts and where it matters most.
A data room that speaks for itself
This is not just another learning journey. Every session delivers a concrete output, from customer insights to go-to-market planning and financials, all feeding into a high quality, defensible data room.
Real world validation and exposure
Gain access to a curated network of domain experts, potential customers and early-stage investors. This is your time to validate your value proposition in the wild and prove your market and investment readiness.
Clarity in ten weeks
Acceleration in the truest sense. Within ten weeks, you will know whether you are on the right track, need to pivot, or should walk away. This is your chance to test your vision against reality and act accordingly.
TRACK RECORD
60% of our program alumni received funding within 6 months of program completion.
We are committed to empowering driven entrepreneurs from all walks of life, across diverse industries, and from every corner of the globe. Within Bluelion’s Hub, founders find the ideal launchpad to grow sustainable companies. Profit from Bluelion’s well-curated network of industry experts and entrepreneurs who will share their personal success recipes and help you leverage your business.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Facilitated market entry and exposure
We connect our startups with a network of over 60 industry partners and offer personalized introductions to help them gain traction, identify and reach target customers, and accelerate revenue growth.
Convertible Loan of CHF 250‘000.-
Throughout the program, founders work on a solid foundation for sustainable financing, while we offering streamlined access to investors and grants. By the end of the program, startups will have the opportunity to qualify for a CHF 250k convertible loan.
Likeminded community
Bluelion is proud to cultivate a high-quality startup community that includes both pre-seed and growth-stage companies. This community offers new founders optimal conditions and an inspiring environment to grow and scale successful businesses
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Customized to your startup’s individual requirements
Phase 1:
Identify your red flags
Startups are inherently complex and face numerous challenges on their path to success. Our thorough status assessment helps you as founders to focus on the most critical challenges, that could potentially kill your business.
Phase 2:
Winning as a team
Misalignment among co-founders is the no. 1 reason why startups fail. Therefore, our mentors support you in finding the right setup and talk about the unspoken, real stuff.
Phase 3:
Foster market traction
Market traction is a key indicator of a startup’s viability and potential for success. Through our industry network and mentors, you will be able to show evidence of demand and a clear path to growth.
Phase 4:
Execute funding strategy
We understand that gaining access to investors requires a strategic blend of preparation, networking, and a deep understanding of the investment landscape. Our program helps you to navigate this complex terrain effectively.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
What you should bring along
Kickass Team
Your co-founding team has the skills and industry knowledge to drive the idea forward and consists of at least two 100% fully committed founders.
Scalable Tech
You work on a scalable tech idea, with a high degree of innovation, in a future-oriented B2B market.
First Traction
You have proof of technology or/and the first positive market feedback, like LOIs or pilot projects with potential clients.
Funding Goal
In order to accelerate your journey, you plan to close an external financing round within the next 12 months.
HOW TO APPLY
The Application Process
Phase 1:
Application
Submit the application form with all relevant details so we can properly assess your startup.
Phase 2:
Assessment
Phase 3:
Exchange
A 30-minute call to clarify open questions, get to know each other, and validate the startup–program fit.
Phase 4:
Selection
Our selection committee reviews all shortlisted startups and makes the final decision.
Phase 5:
Announcement
PROGRAM ALUMNI
Meet our Spring 2026 Batch
ALUMNI FEEDBACKS
Trust those who know best
It’s not just another startup acceleration program, it’s the one that got us found, that got our team up and running for market entry and growth. If you are the next unicorn, you should take part.
The best mentoring we ever received. It gave us the much-needed know-how and connections to navigate the healthtech ecosystem in Switzerland. If you are an early-stage startup in Zurich, then I would make sure you apply.
The program literally brought us from 0 to 1, in all aspects of bringing a promising university idea into a winning startup. The carefully selected startups and their brilliant founders shaped a powerful community that we still enjoy and benefit from!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is everything else you need to know
The Bluelion Acceleration Program is not just another startup school but is a program “from entrepreneurs to entrepreneurs”. For every training day, we therefore have seasoned entrepreneurs joining us and sharing their knowledge.
Here you can find a highlevel program outline.
The program is free of charge for the participants and is financed by our partners. There is also no need to relinquish a stake in the company. In return, we require full commitment from the participants for the entire duration of the program.
All events take place on-site in Zurich.
The acceleration program is conducted twice a year, in spring and fall. The spring batch is expected to take place between calendar weeks 15 – 24 and the fall batch between calendar weeks 39 – 48. For detailed times for the next batch, see the dates below.
If accepted into the program, we expect one co-founder to be present at 80% of all acceleration days (one day per week), with the Kickoff and the Demo Day being mandatory for all participants. Furthermore, we expect you to meet the specified deadlines and demonstrate full commitment to the program. We reserve the right to exclude participants who fail to meet our expectations from the program.
Yes, they can! Acceptance to our program doesn’t count for you as an individual, but your whole startup. You can freely decide who of your team is going to attend which training day (just make sure that for 80% of the training days, at least one co-founder is present).
While it is possible to complete the program alongside a regular job, we do not recommend it. The program includes a training day that takes place weekly for 10 weeks (kickoff and Demo Day inclusive). Although you only have to be present on these training days, you will benefit most from the program if you can work on your startup every day.
After the submission deadline, we will review all applications and conduct a pre-selection based on the above requirements. We will then contact the shortlisted candidates directly to arrange a 30-minute interview to get to know you better and learn more about your business idea. After these interviews, we will make the final decision.
We are focussing on startups and co-founders based in Switzerland. You can still apply if your startup is not incorporated in Switzerland, but there has to be a strong connection to Switzerland (e.g. Swiss co-founders, targeting the Swiss market, etc.)
If you still have open questions, feel free to reach out to Maren ([email protected])
APPLY NOW FOR THE NEXT BATCH!
Twice a year we carefully select startups for our spring and fall batches. Don’t miss out – apply now and embark on a transformative journey with us.
GET IN CONTACT
Maren is happy to give you more insights.
My name is Maren, I am responsible for the Acceleration Program. If you fit our criteria and are interested in joining, please feel free to apply directly. Don’t hesitate to reach out, if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your startup!
GET IN CONTACT
Maren is happy to give you more insights.
My name is Maren, I am responsible for the Acceleration Program. If you fit our criteria and are interested in joining, please feel free to apply directly. Don’t hesitate to reach out, if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your startup!
