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Since 1993, the Prix Strategis has awarded CHF 40,000 to the best start-up in Switzerland. The prize is organized by HEC Espace Entreprise, an association of students at HEC Lausanne. The Strategis department of the association is the organizing committee of the prize. It is supported by the other departments to ensure high visibility and funding for the organization of the event and the prize money. In addition, the jury that evaluates the start-ups' applications is made up of experts from various disciplines, renowned entrepreneurs and influential figures from the business world of French-speaking Switzerland.
The start-up must be headquartered in Switzerland
The start-up has existed for less than 5 years
How innovative is your solution/product? And how well is it protected, IP-wise?
Proof-of-market & operations management
Potential for growth, esp. internationally
What is the (ESG) impact of your start-up?
Applications are open, for eligible start-ups to the 1th of October.
Our jury meets a first time, in order to select the eight semi-finalists start-ups among all the applications
Each start-up will be visited by a group of four students and a professional consultant, who will then write a report about and evaluate them.
During this second meeting, our Jury choose the five finalists, partly based on the reports written by FCA groups and their professional consultant
During this last meeting, the 5 finalist start-ups pitch in front of the Jury, who then selects the winner of the Prix Strategis – but it's kept a secret until the Ceremony!
During the ceremony of the Prix Strategis, the winning start-up is revealed. Additionally, Agefi awards the audience price.
Rewarding the best Swiss start-up, every year since 1993. The closing ceremony of the 33rd edition took place on april 30th 2026 !