Is Zürich a Good Place to Launch a Startup?

Where you start your company still matters – but sticking too closely to one location might limit what you’re able to build. In today’s startup landscape, geography shapes your path – but it doesn’t have to define your potential.

Zürich has emerged as a strong hub for entrepreneurship, offering access to funding, talent, and infrastructure. But with growing competition, rigid local programmes, and support often reserved for the most polished startups, relying solely on what’s nearby can slow you down – or hold you back.

In this article, we’ll explore what Zürich gets right – and where founders often run into friction. We’ll also show how EWOR offers an alternative: a global, remote-first platform that gives you access to funding, mentorship, and community – no matter where you’re based.

1. Access to Funding in Zürich

Funding is one of the most critical ingredients in building a successful startup – and Zürich offers a growing ecosystem of support. From venture capital firms to government grants and angel investors, founders in this region have several pathways to raise capital and gain early traction.

Zurich's early-stage funding scene is active, supported by various players. Notable VC firms with a presence or focus on early-stage Swiss startups include Redalpine, Lakestar, and BackBone Ventures. Angel networks like StartAngels Network and SICTIC also play a role in connecting founders with individual investors. Government and university-backed initiatives like Innosuisse and ETH Zurich's Pioneer Fellowship offer grants and support, often non-dilutive. Despite this ecosystem, challenges exist. While overall investment in Swiss startups remained significant in 2024 at CHF 2.369 billion, the number of financing rounds decreased, particularly at the seed stage. Some reports indicate a potential seed-stage funding gap, although the median seed investment remained stable in 2024. Competition for funding is also a factor in this dynamic environment.

A More Flexible Path Forward

In the wake of these challenges, founders don’t have to rely solely on local funding options. EWOR offers a more flexible path – providing up to €500,000 in early-stage capital But EWOR is more than a cheque. Our capital comes bundled with personalised support, investor-ready storytelling, and access to a network of over 400 active European investors – many of whom regularly participate in our Grand Pitch events. On average, EWOR fellows who complete the programme and pitch go on to raise €2 million in follow-on funding – over 10x more than founders from comparable European initiatives.

2. Innovation and Startup Culture  

Zürich has become a centre of innovation, with numerous tech hubs, coworking spaces, and accelerators that foster creativity and new ideas. The local startup culture is vibrant, with a growing community of entrepreneurs working together to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Zurich boasts a thriving startup and innovation culture, recognized as a leading hub in Switzerland and Western Europe. The city has a strong presence of coworking spaces, catering to diverse needs from flexible desks to private offices, fostering a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs and digital nomads. Entrepreneurial activity is high, supported by world-class universities like ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, which contribute significantly to research-based spin-offs, particularly in deep tech and fintech. The ecosystem is characterized by numerous tech events, networking opportunities, and industry-specific clusters. Zurich offers support for early-stage founders through various incubators, accelerators, and programs like Venture Kick and initiatives linked to universities. While standardized programs exist, there is also access to mentorship and personalized advice, particularly within university innovation hubs and specific accelerators targeting early-stage ventures. The ecosystem balances structured support with opportunities for tailored guidance and networking.

For many entrepreneurs, the energy and resources available in Zürich can provide the ideal environment to test new ideas and gain early traction. The collaborative atmosphere allows founders to connect with fellow innovators and build networks that can help their startups grow.

While the local startup culture is vibrant, the support founders actually receive can be hit or miss. VCs might offer funding but little time. Angel investors often give advice, but it’s scattered and inconsistent. What’s more, many accelerators rely on a one-size-fits-all model that doesn’t reflect the needs of exceptional founders. In fast-moving, competitive ecosystems like Zürich, standing out is hard enough – getting the right kind of support shouldn’t be.

The Alternative to Cookie-Cutter Programmes

Finding a programme that truly adapts to your journey, not the other way around, is rare. However, EWOR offers the kind of depth and flexibility that many local programmes simply can’t match. Instead of following a fixed curriculum, our fellowships are modular and tailored – giving you the right support at the right time, based on where you are in your journey.

But the real strength of EWOR goes beyond structure. Fellows often describe the community as the most unexpected – and valuable – part of the experience. As some have put it: “The real magic lies in the community: the kind of conversations, insights, and connections that lead not only to breakthroughs – but to lasting friendships with some of the most fascinating people they’ve ever met”.

3. Talent and Workforce Availability

One of the greatest assets of launching a startup in Zürich is access to a skilled and diverse talent pool. With universities producing top-tier graduates in technology, business, and other fields, startups can tap into a wealth of expertise to help grow their teams.

Zurich offers a strong talent pool for startups, fueled by top educational institutions like ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, which produce highly skilled graduates. The city is a hub for industry-specific skills, particularly in tech fields such as AI, data science, cybersecurity, fintech, blockchain, robotics, and biotech. This specialized talent, combined with a collaborative ecosystem of experienced entrepreneurs and investors, supports entrepreneurial growth through mentorship, networking, and access to expertise. The presence of global tech companies also contributes to a dynamic talent landscape.

Like funding, competition for talent can be fierce, especially for highly specialised roles in fields like software development or AI. For startups looking to scale quickly, hiring the right people at the right time can be a challenge, leading some founders to look outside the region for remote talent solutions.

Get Global While Local

While hiring locally in Zürich can be competitive and slow, EWOR gives you instant access to a global network of exceptional talent. Built by founders for founders, the EWOR team has launched and exited companies worth over €12 billion – and they bring that experience directly into your venture. It's not just about funding or surface-level advice; it's akin to having a co-founder from day one. 

The team collaborates closely with you to refine your idea, challenge your thinking, and support you through real-world decisions – just like a hands-on partner would. Moreover, with EWOR’s exclusive co-founder pool, you can find the right person to build with, regardless of their location.

4. Infrastructure and Support Systems

Zürich boasts a strong infrastructure that supports the growth of new businesses. From modern office spaces to high-speed internet, entrepreneurs have access to everything they need to run their startups smoothly. Government policies may also provide tax breaks, legal support, and other incentives that make starting a business more attractive in this region.

Zurich offers a robust ecosystem for startups, featuring extensive infrastructure like co-working spaces, technology parks such as Technopark Zurich and Innovation Park Zurich, and university-affiliated hubs like the UZH Innovation Hub and Wyss Zurich. Support systems include numerous accelerators and incubators like Venture Kick, MassChallenge Switzerland, and F10, providing mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities. The city benefits from strong ties with world-class universities like ETH Zurich, fostering research commercialization and talent. Government initiatives, both federal and cantonal, play a significant role. Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency, offers substantial grants, coaching, and networking support for science-based startups. The Canton of Zurich provides direct grants, tax relief, and subsidized office space. These resources collectively help startups thrive by providing essential funding, expertise, infrastructure, and connections within a stable economic environment.

But what looks good on paper often proves more complicated in practice. Bureaucracy can be time-consuming and opaque, especially for first-time founders unfamiliar with local laws. Incorporation takes longer than expected. Accessing public funding often means navigating slow processes, strict requirements, or hard-to-reach advisors. And operational costs – from accounting to regulatory compliance – can quickly eat into early budgets. 

A System That Moves With You

With access to expert guidance, practical legal resources, and a network of experienced entrepreneurs who’ve built across a range of regulatory systems, EWOR is well positioned to help founders navigate the bureaucratic and legal complexities that often come with building in Zürich. Instead of wasting time figuring things out alone, you’ll have the tools and support to stay focused on what matters most – growing your venture.

And while we’re remote-first, our support is anything but distant. Through in-person gatherings like the EWOR House, city-based meetups, and our twice-yearly Grand Pitch event, you’ll still build meaningful relationships with investors, peers, and mentors. It’s a system that helps you focus on building – not just dealing with paperwork.

Can Zürich Be Considered the Best Place to Launch a Startup?

There’s no doubt that Zürich provides a vibrant environment for startups, with access to funding, innovation, talent, and infrastructure that can help entrepreneurs build successful businesses. For many, it’s a strong contender for the best place to launch a startup, thanks to its growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and support systems.

Launching a startup in Zurich presents several challenges. The city has a high cost of living, which can make attracting and retaining talent difficult as startups compete with larger corporates offering higher salaries. While Switzerland is innovative and has a stable environment, the market size is relatively small, potentially limiting initial customer reach. Regulatory hurdles, particularly in sectors like FinTech, can also pose challenges, with some regulations perceived as less agile compared to other financial hubs. However, supportive authorities and a focus on innovation aim to balance these aspects.

However, it’s important to remember that the location of a startup is no longer the be-all and end-all. In today’s digital age, location-independent options like EWOR allow entrepreneurs to access world-class mentorship, funding, and resources from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re based in Zürich or elsewhere, EWOR’s remote programmes are designed to support founders no matter where they are located.

So, while Zürich offers significant advantages, it’s worth considering options like EWOR that enable you to launch and scale your startup with global support – whether you’re in the heart of a bustling startup hub or working from a quiet corner of the world.

Image credits: by Andreas Brücker on Unsplash