Launchpad programs
Ready to launch your venture?
Every startup journey is unique, but success comes from focus, execution, and the right support at each stage.
Our programs support  your startup from idea to market, step by step. With a milestone-focused approach, you will access the guidance, funding, and expertise needed to focus on what matters most and prepare for a successful launch.
Explore the programs that fit your journey
Ignition Grant
Test your idea in the lab. Validate first assumptions and prepare for future grants.
Innogrant
Accelerate out of the lab. Focus on market traction, technology validation, and investor readiness.
Design and Prototype
Build prototypes with external experts. Test, iterate, and showcase your product.
De-risking
Tackle medtech and life science challenges. Validate, assess, and de-risk your project for a clearer path to impact.
Hands-on talent for your project
Strengthen your team with funded interns. Gain fresh perspectives, diverse skills, and extra hands.
Blaze
Fast-track your startup in a cohort based three-month program for EPFL graduates. Focus on rapid deployment and market readiness.
PDM
Transform your Masterâs thesis into a 25-week startup journey. Combine academic excellence with hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
Studio
Take a builderâs approach to advance your startup. Clear goals, practical execution, and hand on guidance.
AI Track
Turn your AI proof-of-concept into real-world impact. Test, iterate, and explore use cases with tailored support.
Do you have an idea and want to know how the EPFL Startup Launchpad can support you? Share your project with us through the form âGet in touchâ below, and we will help you explore the opportunities ahead.
Opportunities
EPFL offers a range of timely opportunities for foundersâfrom thematic calls to targeted support across key innovation verticals.
AI Project Support
The AI Project Support champions purposeful innovation in artificial intelligence. Open to early-stage projects led by EPFL researchers, this initiative offers up to CHF 50,000 in funding and tailored mentorship to help transform bold ideas into impactful solutions.
Musy Award
The Isabelle Musy Award encourages women driving innovation in science and technology. Granted every two years, the CHF 50,000 prize honors a female entrepreneur from Latin Switzerland whose vision and leadership inspire the next generation of women in STEM.
Innogrant for Biotherapeutics (i4L)
The Innogrant for Biotherapeutics (i4L) supports EPFL researchers advancing health innovations toward clinical impact. This one-year fellowship offers funding and mentorship to help transform lab discoveries into real-world solutions.
Innosuisse Innovation Guidance
Partner with Alliance to navigate your Innosuisse journey
Alliance supports startups through every stage of their Innosuisse journey. Whether youâre incorporated or not, their innovation mentors help you identify academic partners, structure your project, and refine your funding application, unlocking access to innovation vouchers, BRIDGE Proof of Concept, and more.
Frequently asked questions and answers
The EPFL Startup Launchpad is EPFLâs incubator for promising technology startups. We offer dedicated support throughout the entire incubation journey:
Grants: dedicated funding for entrepreneurs
Boosters: unique acceleration services and programmes
We are looking for remarkable entrepreneurs with a scalable innovation meeting a market need.
To be eligible to join the EPFL Startup Launchpad you must:
âą Be a tech startup – either a technological innovation or a business innovation that uses complex technology
âą Have started to develop your product/service and have some early feedback from potential customers
âą Be willing to work full time on your startup project
âą Be in your incubation phase – your startup should not be incorporated yet
Our grants are only available for startups that are anchored in an EPFL Lab. You must have the full support of a Professor before applying to any grant.
Yes, but youâll need to have a EPFL lab ready to host you. EPFL is home to world-leading laboratories that span disciplines and areas of expertise. By incubating in an EPFL lab, you and your idea will have access to world-class facilities backed by leading scientific advisors. Find a lab with the unique scientific edge you need here https://www.epfl.ch/labs/
Yes absolutely. All innovative technologies with scaling potential are welcome.
We work with entrepreneurs to help them get promising new technologies off the ground â moving from the lab to commercialisation. As such, we work with both early stage projects which need validation all the way to startups getting ready to launch.
Unfortunately, we donât work with companies who are already incorporated or who are based outside of EPFL.
We donât currently work with startups who are already incorporated. Our focus is incubation and preparing entrepreneurs and their company for the next step. Once theyâve incorporated, we step back and watch them grow.
No. Every startup has its own needs and therefore their own journey to success. There is no one way to work with us. It is our role to help you with the right support at the right time.
As much as weâd love to be able to help everyone find their place in the startup world, itâs not where we focus our time. If youâd like to expand your network, weâd encourage you to get involved with the many entrepreneur-based events and clubs on campus.
Absolutely. We will consider any startup who is eligible for our programme, regardless of their funding situation. Double check you qualify and get in touch, letting us know what your next steps are.
If your idea is eligible for our support, fill out our application form â tell us about your project, what you have done, and what you need to move forward. If your project looks interesting, we will invite you for a meeting. Together we will assess the best programme to support your idea.