EPFL Entrepreneurship Education Hub connects academic learning with practical resources: physical workspaces, peer communities, validation programs, and acceleration pathways that support venture development from exploration to market launch.
HackerMode
Hacker Mode addresses a fundamental challenge in student entrepreneurship: finding dedicated time for project development alongside academic commitments. This initiative, supported by the Startup Launchpad and powered by UBS, provides structured productivity sprints for skill development and venture advancement.
Program Structure:
- Every Saturday: 9 hours of focused work time with computing resources and workspace provided
- Up to 100 hours of dedicated development time per semester
- End-of-day sharing sessions to showcase progress and receive peer feedback
- Community of builders committed to execution rather than ideation
Limited to 15 participants per Saturday, Hacker Mode prioritizes students with clear, achievable goals who can demonstrate commitment to consistent progress. The program operates from The Station, providing meals and infrastructure support.
The Station
Located in SwissTech Village, The Station serves as EPFL’s dedicated workspace for student entrepreneurship.
Available Resources:
- Meeting rooms for team collaboration and client presentations
- Ideation areas designed for venture strategy development
- Daily programming and events supporting entrepreneurial skill development
The Station operates as a community hub where students connect with fellow entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors. Access to The Station is available to students participating in Startup Launchpad programs / members of students associations.
Students Associations
Student-led associations offer peer learning, hands-on project experience, and networking opportunities that complement academic coursework. These organizations provide informal yet structured environments to develop entrepreneurial competencies and build relationships within the innovation community.
Entrepreneurs Club EPFL-UNIL
The Entrepreneurs Club connects aspiring founders through workshops, speaker events, and networking sessions. Members gain exposure to startup methodologies, access mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and build relationships within the regional innovation ecosystem. The club serves as an entry point for students exploring entrepreneurship and provides ongoing community support for those developing venture projects.
Junior Entreprise
EPFL’s Junior Entreprise enables students to apply technical and business skills through consulting projects for external clients. This student-run organization operates as a real business entity, providing practical experience in project management, client relations, and professional service delivery. Members develop competencies in scoping engagements, managing deliverables, and operating within budget and timeline constraints.
The Consulting Society
The Consulting Society prepares students for strategic and management consulting through case competitions, workshops, and professional development activities. Members develop analytical frameworks and problem-solving approaches applicable to both consulting careers and entrepreneurial contexts. The society provides exposure to business strategy, market analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
Blockchain Association
The Blockchain Association focuses on decentralized technologies and their commercial applications. Through technical workshops, research projects, and industry partnerships, members explore emerging opportunities in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and Web3 innovation. The association provides technical depth and industry connections for students interested in distributed systems and digital asset ventures.
Blaze Startup Accelerator
Blaze is EPFL’s execution-focused accelerator for founders transitioning from prototype to market entry. The program supports fast-to-deploy solutions through milestone-driven frameworks and targeted resources.
Program Components:
- Validation Sprint (4 weeks): Intensive phase for stress-testing market assumptions and refining value propositions before full acceleration
- Acceleration Phase (up to 6 months): Support for securing first customers, completing Swiss incorporation, and preparing for follow-on funding
- Roadblock Remover Grants: CHF 2,000 non-dilutive funding for technical development, cloud infrastructure, or market testing
- Founder Sparring: One-on-one sessions with industry experts and workshops on legal foundations, IP strategy, and revenue modeling
Eligibility Requirements:
- At least one leading co-founder affiliated with EPFL (current student or recent alumnus)
- Functional prototype demonstrating technical feasibility
- Early market validation: user sign-ups, pilot data, or letters of intent
- Timeline for Swiss incorporation within 9 months and market launch within 6 months
Blaze prioritizes digital, SaaS, and hardware solutions with rapid market entry potential. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Explore All Support Pathways
The resources described on this page represent key components of EPFL’s entrepreneurship education ecosystem. For a comprehensive view of all available support programs, funding opportunities, and pathways tailored to your venture stage, explore the EPFL Startup Compass.