The Startup Camp, powered by Innosuisse and managed by Swissnex is a joint program operated by Swissnex in China and Innosuisse – the Swiss innovation agency, which is a launchpad for Swiss entrepreneurs, offering the tools and tailor-made supports needed for Swiss startups to make impact and explore market potential in China.
Applications are now open for Q1, 2026 for Swiss startups interested in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The deadline for applications is November 14, 2025.
Tailored Support
Our Startup Camp is specifically designed to help you explore China’s innovation landscape with the right tools and guidance. You’ll benefit from our experts on the ground to guide you through China’s fast-moving tech and business environment. Along the way, you’ll connect with local partners, advisors, and key players in the ecosystem. The camps are tailored to meet your specific needs and will provide in-depth guidance based on your goals.
Why China?
As the world’s second-largest economy, China is projected to become the largest consumer market globally by 2030. The country stands out for its scale, speed, and fast adoption of new technologies. It’s a place where ideas move quickly from testing to mass adoption. For Swiss startups, stepping into this environment offers insights and opportunities that can shape your future strategy.
Who can apply?
- Swiss startups that are enrolled in the Innosuisse Coaching program (initial, core, or scale-up coaching)
- Swiss startups that have been awarded the Innosuisse Certificate within the past three years
Startups that do not fulfill either of these criteria must first apply to Innosuisse’s Coaching programs.
Contact and Registration
Please directly contact our startup manager Tingye Hu (Tia), she would be glad to walk you through the application process and kick off your China market exploration.
Innovation in China
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Building for the accelerator state: what to know about China’s new startup landscape
26 June 2025The meteoric rise of DeepSeek, the paradigm-changing AI startup in Hangzhou that is already a household name, has injected fresh momentum into China’s startup ecosystem. The hype is welcome after a challenging past 18 months, when startups struggled with economic pressures, geopolitical tensions, a sharp drop in venture capital (VC) financing and pullback in equity markets.
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Smart City and Sustainable Urban Development in China: A Comprehensive Overview
2 June 2025Upon visiting China for the first time, many are struck by its impressive infrastructure and the multitude of cameras monitoring the roads, reflecting the country’s advancements in smart city development. As urbanization accelerates globally, the United Nations projects that nearly 68% of the world’s population will reside in urban areas by 2050. In China, the urbanization rate has surged to 66% by 2023, up from just 11% in 1949. This unprecedented mass migration from rural to urban living has spurred significant economic growth but has also led to pressing environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, waste management issues, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, integrating smart city initiatives with sustainability practices has become essential for addressing these challenges and improving urban living conditions.
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Sustainable Architecture and Circular Construction in China
1 May 2025As the world grapples with pressing challenges of climate change and resource depletion, the concepts of sustainable architecture and circular construction have gained significant traction. These approaches aim to minimize environmental impact and create resilient urban environments. In this context, Swissnex in China plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between Swiss innovators and their Chinese counterparts. This article explores the current state of sustainable architecture and circular construction in China, drawing comparisons with Switzerland and other European countries to highlight similarities and differences in practices, policies, and cultural attitudes.
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How Swiss Startups Can Fast-Track Their Entry into China’s Healthcare Market
26 February 2025Although China today is the world’s 2nd largest market for both medical devices and drugs, many foreign startups may hold back from focusing on, engaging with, or doing business in China due to the lack of market knowledge and both real and perceived entry barriers, and therefore consider it too difficult and risky.
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Navigating Risks and Regulations for Swiss Tech Startups in China (Part 2): Supply Chain Compliance and Dispute Resolution
13 March 2025China has been gradually opening its market to foreign investment, with reforms aimed at streamlining procedures and increasing market access in certain sectors. In recent years, China has made significant efforts to attract foreign investment and cross-border transactions. More liberalized policies are being tested and implemented in free trade zones; “negative lists” have been shortened; data localisation requirements are being relaxed; cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen are piloting programmes to offer easier access to visitor visas for foreign entrepreneurs, etc. Tingye (Tia) Hu our Startup Manager at Swissnex in China interviewed Albert Wang, attorney-at-law and partner at East & Concord Partners, to discuss some of the most frequently asked questions from Swiss startups exploring this market. This is the second part of the interview.
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Navigating Risks and Regulations for Swiss Tech Startups in China (Part 1): IP and Data Compliance
19 February 2025China has been gradually opening its market to foreign investment, with reforms aimed at streamlining procedures and increasing market access in certain sectors. In recent years, China has made significant efforts to attract foreign investment and cross-border transactions. More liberalized policies are being tested and implemented in free trade zones; “negative lists” have been shortened; data localisation requirements are being relaxed; cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen are piloting programmes to offer easier access to visitor visas for foreign entrepreneurs, etc. Tingye (Tia) Hu our Startup Manager at Swissnex in China interviewed Albert Wang, attorney-at-law and partner at East & Concord Partners, to discuss some of the most frequently asked questions from Swiss startups exploring this market.
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The Hong Kong innovation ecosystem, opportunities and challenges
16 December 2024As a major business hub in the traditional economy Hong Kong punches well above its weight. As a startup ecosystem it's rising fast but still in the making. After a series of tough years, the city is making a strong bet to bring its innovation ecosystem to the next level. In this post we explore the current trends and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
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Navigating China’s Industrial Landscape
14 August 2024China has long been dubbed the world's factory, and rightly so, for during the 20th century, its growth was built largely on the production and export of goods. Today, China's economy is more diversified, but still remains an essential, if not unavoidable, player when it comes to manufacturing.
