MassChallenge Switzerland opened the call for applications for the 9th edition of its Early-Stage Startup Accelerator program, alongside the second edition of the Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize, supporting startups working to drive climate resilience in agriculture and food value chains.
The 2024 Early-Stage Accelerator program is now open for applications until February 28, for startups providing solutions in any sector, with a focus on: Sustainable Food, Sustainable Industry & Climate Solutions, and HealthTech.
By enrolling in the accelerator, startups will gain exposure to more than 15 corporate partners, including Bühler, CSM- Ingredients, dsm-firmenich, Givaudan, Louis Dreyfus Company, Nestlé, Omya, PMI, Puratos, SMC and Südzucker. Startups will also benefit from mentoring from over 400 experts and compete for a total of half a million Swiss francs (CHF) in non-dilutive cash prizes and other in-kind awards, all without any equity investment in return.
In the same spirit, applications also open today until February 28, for the 2nd edition of the Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize, which is awarded to the startup with the biggest climate impact potential. This unconditional, non-dilutive CHF 100,000 cash prize is in addition to MassChallenge Switzerland’s other non-dilutive cash prizes, with the winner to be announced at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards ceremony on October 31, in Lausanne.
Michael Gelchie, Louis Dreyfus Company’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Through this prize, we are thrilled to continue supporting the next generation of innovators, empowering visionary creators of transformative new ideas to create change at scale through groundbreaking products, technologies, processes or solutions with the potential to drive climate resilience in food and agricultural value chains.”
Ian Roberts, President of MassChallenge Switzerland, added: “In 2021, MassChallenge Switzerland announced its support to climate responsible startups. As part of this mission, we are delighted to count on Louis Dreyfus Company’s continued sponsorship and partnership in developing the Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize”.
