Startup Nights to Continue Growing as a Brand of the Swiss Startup Association

The Entrepreneur Club Winterthur (ECW) is transferring the Startup Nights – including the entire team – to the Swiss Startup Association (SSA) as of 2026. Following the successful co-hosting in 2025, the event will be further developed under the umbrella of the SSA and more strongly established within the Swiss startup ecosystem.

A Success Story Born in Winterthur
Startup Nights were launched in 2017 by the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur. The format was initiated and significantly shaped by Raphael Tobler, who built and scaled it during his tenure as ECW President.

Nearly six years after his move to the presidency of the Swiss Startup Association, the time has come to continue the Startup Nights under the SSA and establish them at a national level. This marks the transition of a successful format — originally created in Winterthur — into a broader, nationwide context.

Raphael Tobler, President of the Swiss Startup Association, says: “By integrating the Startup Nights into the Swiss Startup Association, we are bringing together two strong initiatives and creating the foundation to make Swiss entrepreneurship even more visible, better connected and more influential — nationally and internationally.”

Why the Transition to the Swiss Startup Association
The decision to hand over the Startup Nights was made jointly by ECW and SSA, with the shared goal of developing the event further on a national scale and strengthening its long-term impact. The ECW remains the ideological origin and an important driving force behind Startup Nights.

Michael Kubli, President of the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur, says:“We are incredibly proud of what the Startup Nights have become — an event that inspires and connects people. By transferring the event to the Swiss Startup Association, we are placing it in the hands of an organisation that shares our vision, will continue working with the existing Startup Nights team, and will further develop the format on a national level.”

Further Development and Vision
The Startup Nights will return to the Eulachhallen in Winterthur in 2026. Looking ahead, the SSA plans to strengthen the event by linking it more closely with year-round initiatives, new formats for exchange, and targeted networking opportunities.

Regula Bleuler, CEO of the Swiss Startup Association, says:“The Startup Nights represent what we stand for at the Swiss Startup Association: a spirit of innovation, courage, and community. Our aim is to continue this successful format and support founders throughout the entire year.”

The long-term goal is clear: Startup Nights are to become a nationwide flagship event and over time, one of the most significant, potentially even the largest, startup events in the world. This growth aims to strengthen the community year-round and support the SSA’s vision of building an even more connected and impactful Swiss startup ecosystem.

Raphael Tobler summarizes: “Together, we amplify the voice of Swiss founders — on the Startup Nights stage and beyond.”

Thanks to All Involved
The Swiss Startup Association extends its gratitude to everyone who has contributed and will continue to contribute to the success of the Startup Nights. Special thanks go to the volunteer organising committee of the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur and the many partners, helpers, and supporters whose dedication has laid the foundation for this next chapter.

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