The Swissnex Bridge – Silicon Valley Immersion program provides startups and entrepreneurs with a comprehensive immersion experience in the Silicon Valley ecosystem, enhancing their understanding of US business culture and fostering entrepreneurial growth.

The program adopts a holistic approach that emphasizes mindset cultivation, network expansion, and skills development, nurturing a growth mindset, and facilitating connections with local experts.

It fosters leadership skills so that entrepreneurs can successfully build and develop their startups and position their businesses sustainably in the market. The program is a collaboration between Swissnex in San Francisco and SWISS USAccelerator.

Swissnex in San Francisco
For over 13 years, Swissnex in San Francisco has supported the journey of Swiss startups planning to expand to the US. The 180 startups that have gone through Swissnex’s programs in San Francisco have collectively raised over $2.1 billion, and three of them are unicorns.

SWISS USAccelerator
SWISS USAccelerator specializes in linking Swiss entrepreneurs with a network of experts and organizations experienced in the US market entry. It connects them with both seasoned entrepreneurs and peers on a similar path. This network is dedicated to helping Swiss startups validate their products in the US, gain market intelligence, create essential connections, and develop clear, strategic plans for success.

Admissions criteria that prospective participants must meet:

Candidates must have a strong connection with Switzerland, demonstrating their intention to establish their business within the country.

Financial stability is also a must, as candidates should have or seek sufficient resources to cover participation costs and sustain operations.

For this Program, Candidates can’t have any affiliation with Innosuisse (Swissnex offers startup programs in the Innosuisse startup coaching program).

Furthermore, the program places a strong emphasis on the viability and potential of the candidates’ business ideas. Candidates should have their business ideas validated through market research or customer feedback, indicating a solid understanding of the market and customer needs. Additionally, candidates should possess a long-term strategy that includes potential entry into the U.S. market, showcasing their ambition and vision for growth. It is also important that the candidates’ business ideas align with Swissnex’s mission and values, ensuring a harmonious fit within the program’s objectives.

Lastly, we seek participants with a strong willingness to learn, the ability to commit the necessary time and effort, openness to challenge their mindset, and proficiency in English.