Zürich Startup Founder 101

Join us on December 15 at 18:30 CET for an exclusive 75-minute session with Christoph Sollich, better known as The Pitch Doctor, who over the past decade has coached thousands of startups to sharpen their story and win attention.

❯❯ Register here: FI.co/e/384685/meetup

In the first half, Christoph will unpack the secrets of a great pitch, what works, what doesn't, and how to make your message instantly compelling.

In the second half, five lucky early-stage startups will receive live feedback; Christoph will dissect their pitch and offer real-time feedback on stage. We will finish with a short Q&A.

⭐ Why Attend?
Whether you’re at idea stage or already building traction as a pre-seed startup, this session will help you sharpen your story, clarify your positioning, and turn attention into traction.

⭐ Who Should Attend?
Founders at pre-idea, idea, validation, or early traction stages who want to strengthen their pitch.

⭐ What You'll Learn:
How to give a concise, compelling, and engaging pitch
If selected: tailored advice and live feedback on your pitch and startup idea

⭐ Want to Be Selected for Live Feedback?
To pre-submit your one-minute pitch visit the link on the registration page by December 5; for a chance to be one of the five startups selected for live feedback.

⭐ Ready to Build Your Startup?
If you’re considering joining the Spring ’26 cohort of Founder Institute Switzerland, this session will give you a preview of the hands-on practice you’ll get every week in the program.

You can already apply to the Spring ’26 Founder Institute Switzerland cohort and benefit from Christoph’s mentoring, weekly pitch practice, and dedicated office hours; so you’re pitch-ready when you meet investors.
❯ Apply here: http://fi.co/apply/Zurich

Don’t miss your chance to elevate your pitch, network with fellow founders, and secure your spot in the next cohort! RSVP at FI.co/e/384685/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!

In emerging markets, capacity building is essential for overcoming development challenges. Yet, despite heavy investments in training, many institutions struggle to convert knowledge into impactful action. This session will explore how to shift from one-off training to continuous, system-wide capacity building that supports long-term economic growth.

Through real-world examples and innovative partnerships, we’ll examine how governments, businesses, and universities are overcoming barriers like limited access to global markets and inadequate capital. The session will focus on creating the systems, networks, and support structures needed for local talent to thrive and compete globally.

❯❯ For complete event and speaker details, visit 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21675

❯ What you Will Learn:

• Understand the limitations of traditional capacity-building models and how to create sustainable systems for economic development.
• Learn how to design capacity-building initiatives that drive measurable outcomes in emerging economies.
• Discover strategies for overcoming barriers such as limited market access and lack of mentorship.
• Explore successful partnerships between governments, businesses, and universities to foster local talent and global competitiveness.

❯ Featured Experts:

• Sameer Sortur - Founding Partner @ SquareCircle Ventures: An experienced entrepreneur and venture development leader with a focus on scaling businesses in emerging markets.
• Faris Alami - CEO @ International Strategic Management: A global leader in entrepreneurship and economic development.
• Paul O'Brien - Head of Public Affairs @ Founder Institute: A startup economist and ecosystem strategist with 25 years in venture capital, public policy, and economic development.

❯❯ Don’t miss this live, interactive online event packed with valuable insights! RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21675 to get your link and join us live!