T-1 week until the HackSummit begins.
This year, HackSummit expands its scope. Across three days (22-23-24 April), we’ll bring together the founders, investors, scientists and operators rebuilding the physical and biological systems Europe depends on, at a moment when the old assumptions no longer hold.
Three things you can do here that you can’t do anywhere else.
The programme is built around three outcomes. Each has its own format, its own room, and its own logic.
HackSummit (22-23 April) : to accelerate investment
Hackathon (22 April) : to connect with next-gen talents
Hack Pilot Day (24 April) : to unlock market opportunities
In today’s edition, we reveal the full plan for next week, AKA the HackWeek:
🇨🇭 Who will be in the room
1️⃣ Reindustrialisation Day
2️⃣ Food Sovereignty Day
👩💻 The Hackathon
📈 Hack Pilot Day
🎊 Side Events
🇨🇭Who You’ll Meet in Lausanne
We're bringing together 100s of Founders, Funders and Operators under one roof to accelerate Europe's industrial renaissance. You’re going to be in great company…
In the room includes:
Founders: Paebbl, Pave Space, EPYR, Phlair, Milvus Advanced, Hypercube, Savor, Solar Foods, Voltfang, Voltrac, Notpla, Onego Bio, Lembas, Cosaic, Verley, Ascension, Formo, Phlair, Aleph Farms, Woodoo, Magmatic, Gaya
Investors: Planet A Ventures, FORWARD.one, Contrarian Ventures, FoodLabs, Atlantic, Visionaries Tomorrow, Eurazeo, NordicNinja, World Fund, Aurum Impact, EXA, Astanor, Blume Equity, FLORA Ventures, Lightrock
Operators: Nestle, Novonesis, Givaudan, Morrison Foerster, Visionaries Club, Tetra Pak, Lululemon, Lidl, Fortescue, Bosch, Peugeot, Migros, Swisscom
🙌 Good news, the 1-1 networking platform is now live. Register now for instant access and start scheduling 1-1 meetings with all the Founders, Funders and Operators you want to meet next week.
Day 1️⃣
How do we rebuild Europe's industrial base?
Europe's manufacturing, energy and materials infrastructure were designed for a world that no longer exists.
April 22 is for those rebuilding it across physics, chemistry, and engineering.
Expect candid discussions, small group workshops and actionable lessons on what it takes to build across critical minerals (Hades Mining, Milvus Advanced, DEScycle), energy infrastructure (Voltfang, CorPower, EPYR, Enerdrape), advanced materials (Modern Meadow, Seprify), AI in manufacturing (Altrove, Cloover), in-space production (Pave Space) and frontier resources (Phlair, Hypercube).
⏰ Back by popular demand. Have your on-stage moment as we open the floor to the audience to pitch their solution in just 30 seconds.
Day 2️⃣
How do we secure the food systems Europe depends on?
Food is infrastructure. On April 23 we’ll gather the founders and investors building tomorrow’s resilient food systems from farm to fermentation tank.
Get a front-row seat to the conversations, workshops and practical deep dives shaping how we build across biomanufacturing (MicroHarvest, Solar Foods, Food Brewer), alternative ingredients (Endless Food Co, Savor, Celleste, Onego Bio), robotics (Voltrac), alternative packaging (Notpla), soil health (BindBridge), extreme environments (AtmoCooling), and health & nutrition (Lembas, Kioga, Biocle).
🏆 Join us for the FoodTech World Cup Grand Final and see the winner lift the trophy.
👩💻 Hackathon Builder Challenge
5 years in, and we’re finally going back to our roots by hosting a Hackathon.
We’re bringing together engineers, scientists, builders, and creatives for an 18-hour challenge to build solutions that actually matter, focused on the future of industrial renaissance and sovereignty.
On April 22, teams tackle real-world challenges with SICPA.
Through the PROVE track, builders turn the invisible into tamper-resistant proof, using AI, sensing, and authentication tech to verify claims across critical minerals, natural resources, and circular supply chains.
We’ll invite the top teams back to pitch live on the HackSummit main stage on April 23.
⚒️ Meet the teams behind the challenge, become a mentor and see what can happen when you give smart people 18 hours and no off switch.
⛏️ Hack Pilot Day
On April 24. we’re hosting a curated event designed to help startups and Swiss SMEs explore concrete collaboration opportunities across industry, built environment, energy and agrifood.
From industry to energy, sport to hospitality, companies from very different sectors, representing over 3,000 employees, will join for targeted meetings with startups, including:
Hublot, Services industriels de Lausanne, POMOCA, QoQa, Novae Restauration SA, La Nébuleuse, Sinergy, Perfogroup SA, Golf Club Villars, Biscuits Agathe
Last chance to join us on April 24!
⌛️ Last chance to join. Join now to be a part of the selected group of startups.
🎊 Plot Twist: More Events
There’s a full line-up of 17 Side Events taking place across the city (and plenty of secret get togethers happening too).
Whether you’re up for a HackRun outdoors, getting competitive with a biodiversity board game, unwinding with breathwork, or catching up with a coffee at breakfast, and over beers at the AfterPartys or going out for dinner, there’s something for everyone.
🥾 Want to see all the city has to offer? Check out our 60 top tips, plus we’re teaming up with Travelise for a self-guided surprise tour of Lausanne (free for all attendees).
The 1-1 networking platform is live. Now is the perfect time to secure your spot and start scheduling those all-important 1-1 meetings as you look forward to one of your most productive weeks this year.
To get ahead, here are the quick links to the most important sessions and events you won’t want to miss: I’m a Founder / Investor / Corporate.
Not got your pass? Use code FINALCALL to save 15% off your ticket and look forward to a full, fun week in Lausanne.
You won’t want to miss this!
Laura at Hack
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