Kickstart Innovation is a co-initiator of the Swiss {ai} Weeks

Artificial intelligence is not just transforming how we work, it’s redefining what we work on, reshaping our expectations, decision-making, and the products and services we put on the market. This shift is fueling a new wave of innovation, where cutting-edge technologies move from research labs into real-world applications.

What This Initiative Means

Kickstart Innovation is a co-initiator of the Swiss {ai} Weeks, bringing together our extensive startup ecosystem with Switzerland's largest AI initiative. At Kickstafrt we believe this initiative represents a significant step forward for AI innovation in the country.

Swiss {ai} Weeks launches this September with an ambitious goal: bridging the gap between Switzerland's world-class AI research and practical business applications. The initiative will feature hackathons and innovation events across more than ten Swiss cities, all focused on making Swiss-developed AI solutions accessible and actionable.

Many interdisciplinary events will take place in more than ten cities – from Basel to Bern to Lugano, and from Geneva to Lucerne to St. Gallen. In a variety of hackathons, new solutions will be developed to tackle challenges in healthcare, industry, public administration, finance, and other sectors. At the heart of Swiss {ai} Weeks are AI models originating from the Swiss AI Initiative jointly spearheaded by the EPFL AI Center and the ETH Zurich AI Center. 

Thanks to the „Alps“ supercomputer, Switzerland’s modern and powerful IT infrastructure at CSCS (Swiss National Supercomputing Centre) in Lugano, as well as deployment partners such as Swisscom, these AI models can be developed and applied entirely within Switzerland. During Swiss {ai} Weeks, science, business and society will have the opportunity to experiment with, and collaborate on, AI made in Switzerland – based on open technologies, high ethical standards, and a focus on Switzerland’s diverse needs. 

A strategic value for Switzerland

The timing of this collaboration couldn't be better. In our 2024 program, we've observed that 95% of corporate innovation challenges now seek AI solutions. This trend reflects a broader shift we're seeing across industries. Companies recognize AI's potential but need guidance on implementation and finding the right solutions.

Swiss {ai} Weeks addresses this need by showcasing AI models developed entirely in Switzerland, from EPFL and ETH Zurich's AI centers to infrastructure powered by the "Alps" supercomputer. For the first time, organizations can access end-to-end Swiss AI solutions, which aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting innovative startups with established organizations.

"Swiss {ai} Weeks embodies everything we stand for at Kickstart Innovation," said Katka Letzing, CEO and Co-Founder of Kickstart Innovation and co-initiator of the initiative. "It represents a unique opportunity to demonstrate how Swiss-made AI can solve real-world challenges while building trust and ensuring responsible innovation."

Addressing Switzerland's AI Challenge

Switzerland faces an interesting paradox in the AI landscape. While our research institutions rank among the world's best, we've struggled to translate this excellence into market-leading AI applications. Of the 58 globally leading AI systems in 2024, only three originated in Europe, with most coming from the U.S. and China.

There's also a trust factor to consider. While countries like China show 83% positive perception of AI technology, only 39% of Swiss respondents view AI as a positive force. Swiss {ai} Weeks aims to build confidence through responsible, transparent AI development that maintains Switzerland's high standards for privacy and ethics.

Looking Forward

Since 2015, we've worked with over 450 startups from more than 80 countries, facilitating over CHF 2.5 billion in funding. This experience in innovation acceleration will be valuable as we support Swiss {ai} Weeks' hackathons and events across the country.

The initiative represents Switzerland's broader strategy to translate AI research excellence into commercial success. By combining cutting-edge academic work with practical startup innovation expertise, we're helping create an ecosystem where Swiss AI can compete globally while maintaining our commitment to responsible innovation.

We look forward to contributing to Switzerland's AI future through Swiss {ai} Weeks and continuing to build bridges between research, startups, and established organizations.

Read the press release

More information on https://swiss-ai-weeks.ch/

Organizations interested in joining Swiss {ai} Weeks as partners can still apply until the end of July 2025.