Are we on the cusp of Europe’s Industrial Renaissance?

Here at Hack, we think so.

The pressures reshaping the global system are forcing a return to first principles.

Supply chains are tightening. Energy and materials are unpredictable. Talent is scarce. The era of optimising digital layers on top of stable foundations is ending.

What comes next is about rebuilding those foundations.

Today’s generation of founders and operators are stepping into challenges that are physical, capital-intensive, and strategically consequential, from manufacturing and biology to energy, logistics, and regulation.

HackSummit 2026 backs the Founders rebuilding Europe’s industrial edge, the investors writing the checks for their bold visions and the operators unlocking the next stage of their growth.

When: April 22-23rd
Where: Lausanne, Switzerland

For HackSummit’s 5th anniversary hundreds of Founders, Funders and Operators will gather in Lausanne, Switzerland for 2 days of networking and dealmaking.

Plus scroll on down to see what’s planned for the full HackWeek.

In today’s edition:

🔝 First 8 HackSummit Speakers
📈 Pilot Day for SMEs and Startups
🏔️ Retreat for Founders and Investors
🥳 Side Events: Pitches, Parties, Pilot Visits

Across Industrial Renaissance (April 22) and Food Sovereignty (April 23), this year’s HackSummit brings together founders and investors building in physics, biology, and chemistry, operating within real constraints and scaling through execution.

From reinventing in-space manufacturing to climate-smart cooling, and modern mining, Founders, investors and corporates join us on stage for intimate fireside chats on what it will take to unlock reindustriliation at scale:

New for 2026. Travel aboard the iconic GoldenPass Belle Époque train with a curated circle of Europe’s most ambitious founders and impact investors.

Enjoy coffee and breakfast onboard, intentional networking sessions, and a scenic lunch in Gstaad, followed by an aperitif on the return journey.

Unplug from screens and plug into meaningful conversations, high-value connections, and partnership-level networking, before closing the day with an invite to our exclusive Speaker and Investor Dinner.

Looking for your next pilot partner?

We’re launching the first Hack Pilot Day: a curated matchmaking day designed to connect startups with established companies to build pilots.

By joining, you'll be matched with curated SMEs looking to collaborate with pilot-ready startups.

The goal is simple: create the right conditions to explore collaborations that can actually move forward.

If you're looking for new partners to scaleup in Food Resilience, Industrial Efficiency or Built Environment Performance, the Pilot Day is for you.

The HackSummit is the epicentre of the week, but that’s just the beginning.

Already confirmed for the HackWeek:

What’s more, we’re teaming up with industry leaders to deliver memorable get-togethers for intro- and extroverts alike: evening drinks, private dinners, breakfasts, hiking and yoga.

Got your own idea? Now is the perfect time to make it happen and include it in the HackWeek programme.

With a full week of events to look forward to, now is the time to lock in the Early Bird rate and fill your schedule with up to 5 days of talks, tour, networking, and real-world impact, while having fun.

Tickets start from CHF 410, but hurry, prices increase February 27th.

We look forward to giving you a warm welcome in Lausanne.

Laura at Hack

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