Business Concept 2026 - Construction and Design - Mendrisio
USI Startup Centre
Start date: 3 March 2026
End date: 19 May 2026
Academy of Architecture - Mendrisio
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.
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
• Coaching hours (Thu 26.03 - 15:00-20:00)
• Wed 25.03 - Developing customer relationships
• Wed 01.04 - Prototyping
• Wed 15.04 - Financial planning
• Wed 22.04 - Protecting your innovation
• Coaching hours (Mon 27.04 - 15:00-20:00)
• 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
