Stiftung HSG START Accelerator

The HSG START Accelerator is a new European launchpad for tech-driven startups, based in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Founded as a joint initiative of the University of St. Gallen (HSG), the START Foundation, and Switzerland Innovation Park East, we operate at the intersection of academia, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge technology.

We support ambitious early-stage tech startups on their journey from breakthrough ideas to scalable companies. Our program connects founders with experienced mentors, industry experts, corporate partners, and investors across Europe. By combining structured support, deep ecosystem access, and hands-on collaboration, we help startups make real progress — from sharpening their market strategy to preparing for successful fundraising and international growth.

Our mission is to make Europe’s most promising tech startups investor-ready and ready to scale internationally.

We believe that outstanding technologies need more than great research — they need strong business models, clear market positioning, and access to the right people and capital. Through our accelerator program, we provide founders with practical guidance, targeted expertise, and direct access to a powerful network of mentors, partners, and investors.

By bridging technological excellence with entrepreneurial execution, we help founders turn innovation into real-world impact — and contribute to building a stronger, more connected European startup ecosystem.