The best startups are born when tech- and business-minded spirits join forces. Empa and the University of St.Gallen (HSG) have partnered up to give you the opportunity to meet your co-founding partner-to-be. The “Co-Founder’s Garage” connects Empa’s promising tech projects with HSG’s top-tier business talent, enabling you to turn invention into innovation and impact – together!
Event:
11.-12. June 2026, Switzerland Innovation Park Ost
The event is free of charge and will take place in English.
Profile:
• Empa: Students, PhD students, PostDocs and Scientists working on a bold tech idea and wanting to have a real-world impact by moving their project from the lab to the market.
• HSG: Students, PhD students, and PostDocs looking to apply their business expertise to a bold tech idea and want to build a scalable business around a breakthrough innovation.
During the 2-day “Co-Founder’s Garage”, you will:
• Dive into the business frameworks of entrepreneurship
• Dive into the tech capabilities
• Work with peers (groups of 3-4) to tackle real-world problems
• Get access to experts and their network
Benefit:
✔︎ Build a robust co-founder team
✔︎ Pitch your ideas in front of experts
✔︎ Unlock funding opportunities
Deadline for application:
24.05.2026, 23:59
Selected projects and participants will be invited by 07.06.2026.
For the HSG applicants: transfer@unisg.ch
For the Empa applicants: fellowships@empa.ch
