Boldbrain targets early-stage startups and ideas from any sector, as long as they have an innovative nature and a scalable project with potential to return to the Ticino area. In order to support entrepreneurship in Ticino, criteria have been defined that must be met. It is essential to know that are eligible for Boldbrain only projects proposed by teams that:
- Are composed of at least two people
- In case there is already a registered company, it must not be more than three years old at the time of submitting the application
- Are willing to develop the project in Ticino
- Have not completed another acceleration program
- Participate with at least one team member in all scheduled mandatory events and meetings
- Submit the required documentation in English
Before submitting your application, please read the Terms & Conditions and the Roadmap carefully.
Ticino is a canton with great potential. The small size of our reality is not a limit for entrepreneurship; on the contrary, it has the great advantage of facilitating networking, bringing companies closer to institutions and renowned academic institutes, and facilitating access to funding and knowledge transfer. The small size is an opportunity that startups can leverage to the fullest, thanks to the existing ecosystem represented by the Regional Innovation System and favorable framework conditions.
Specific incentives for startups
The Office of Economic Development financially supports startups that have been accepted by Innosuisse’s startup coaching program, and those that have successfully completed other federal accelerator programs.
Tax breaks
Startups that meet the innovation requirements established by the Tax Law Regulations of the Canton of Ticino can benefit from tax incentives. Additionally, the 10 finalists of Boldbrain, if already incorporated as companies, may be eligible for tax benefits.
To facilitate access to venture capital, individuals residing in Ticino who make investments—such as purchasing shares or stocks—in startups based in the Canton, also enjoy favorable tax treatment.
Ticino is among the most attractive cantons for the birth and growth of startups and innovative ideas.
Read the testimonials of our alumni to discover their experiences with our acceleration program and to understand how Boldbrain has positively influenced their entrepreneurial journey.
Foldcast
BB23, 1st prize + Audience Award
“Boldbrain transformed the path of my startup. The expert guidance, resources, and network played a key role in turning my idea into a successful venture. Thank you for the invaluable support!”
Fabio Amicarelli, Founder
Revozona
BB22, 5th prize + Audience Award
“Boldbrain impressed us with the excellence of the program as a whole, especially the value of personalized coaching. With this focused guidance, we were able to unlock our full potential.”
GĂ©rard Peters, Founder
PepperZone
BB21, 2nd prize
“Boldbrain played a key role in securing our first financing. We learned and successfully adopted key concepts such as Convertible Notes, which we presented to investors and finalized within weeks.”
Luca Ambrosini, Co-Founder
WYTH
BB20, 4th prize
“Boldbrain has been essential to our success. It provided us with the support and tools we needed to navigate the dynamic Swiss ecosystem. This experience strengthened our foundation and connected us with our first investors, a crucial step in our growth.”
Samuele Franzini, Co-Founder
I'm Back
BB18, 2nd prize
“What impressed me most about Boldbrain was the synergy between the high-quality coaching, the engaging workshops, and the opportunity to connect with a network of positively energetic entrepreneurs. It was a truly inspiring environment that fueled our entrepreneurial growth.”
Filippo Nishino, Co-Founder
