Interested in entrepreneurship? Apply to Business Concept

From now until 22 February 2026, applications are open for the next editions of Business Concept, the Innosuisse entrepreneurship course designed for researchers, students and anyone interested in developing science-based startup projects, featuring 1 bootcamp and 10 evening lessons.

The training programme, free of charge and in English, provides participants with theoretical concepts necessary for setting up a startup, from developing a business model to protecting intellectual property and crafting a compelling pitch for the different actors of the innovation ecosystem.

Business Concept combines theory with practical exercises: participants will be divided into groups, each of which will work on an entrepreneurial project proposed by a group member. Here is what one of the course alumni says:

"Business Concept marked the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. An incredible experience that gave me the basic tools to turn my idea into a business.” - Fabio Amicarelli, PhD candidate at the Academy of Architecture, USI and Co-founder of Foldcast, winner of Boldbain Startup Challenge 2023.

The next batch will start on 3 March 2026 and will be offered in two different locations: Lugano and Mendrisio (the latter mainly dedicated to the construction and design sector).
 
 

BUSINESS CONCEPT LUGANO

The lessons take place from 5:30 pm to 9:15 pm on the following dates:

•    Tue 03.03 - Bootcamp
•    Tue 10.03 - Business modelling
•    Tue 17.03 - Product development and market performance
•    Tue 24.03 - Developing customer relationships
•    Tue 31.03 - Prototyping
•    Tue 14.04 - Financial planning
•    Tue 21.04 - Protecting your innovation
•    Thu 28.05 - Establishing and developing a team
•    Tue 05.05 - Financing pathways: from grants to Venture Capital
•    Tue 12.05 - Idea pitching
•    Tue 19.05 - Projects presentations

Apply here to participate in the Business Concept Lugano: https://www.events-startup.usi.ch/business-concept-2026-lugano (limited seats available)

BUSINESS CONCEPT MENDRISIO (CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN)

The lessons take place from 5:30 pm to 9:15 pm on the following dates:

•    Tue 03.03 - Bootcamp (in Lugano)
•    Wed 11.03 - Business modelling
•    Wed 18.03 - Product development and market performance
•    Wed 25.03 - Developing customer relationships
•    Wed 01.04 - Prototyping
•    Wed 15.04 - Financial planning
•    Wed 22.04 - Protecting your innovation
•    Wed 29.04 - Establishing and developing a Team
•    Wed 06.05 - Financing pathways: from grants to Venture Capital
•    Mon 11.05 - Idea pitching
•    Wed 19.05 - Projects presentations (in Lugano)

Apply here to participate in the Business Concept Mendrisio: https://www.events-startup.usi.ch/business-concept-2026-mendrisio (limited seats available)

The implementation of the Innosuisse entrepreneurship training programme in Ticino is coordinated by USI Startup Centre in collaboration with SUPSI.

For further information: Francesco Meli, USI Startup Centre, tel +41 58 666 42 30, email: francesco.meli@usi.ch