GovTech Exchange connects startups with Federal challenges
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The GovTech Innovation Exchange held on June 20th at the Swiss Federal Administration's Training Center brought together representatives from the public sector and startup ecosystem to explore practical solutions to digital transformation challenges. The event reflected the Federal Administration’s aim to move from ideas to implementation—quickly, openly, and in dialogue with innovators.
"Mix it and shake it" - Daniel Markwalder, Delegate for the Digital Transformation of the Federal Administration, opened the GovTech Innovation Exchange with remarks on the importance of innovation and ICT steering in government, combining the speed of the private economy with the parliamentary mandate for technological progress in the public administration. The event was hosted by Tobias Bielmann and Xander Kämpfer of the Federal Chancellery (DTI), together with Raffael Kellner from Venturelab, who coordinated the startup-side of the exchange.The summit introduced a briefing on proof-of-concept collaborations, as well as follow-up procurement with the Swiss government. Cédric Ré, Product Owner at the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security presented a case study on former startup collaboration initiated at the previous GovTech Innovation Exchange in 2023. "The public sector acts as an important accelerator for the Swiss startup ecosystem" stressed Philipp Winteler, Co-Managing Director at Venturelab, speaking about the history of public private partnerships in Switzerland - with Innosuisse playing the major role, but also highlighting collaborations with universities and agencies on the federal, cantonal, and local level.
In 2025, eight offices submitted twelve real-world challenges - from data flows and process automation to improving internal collaboration. Out of 146 applying startups and 184 submitted proposals scouted by Venturelab, the federal administration pre-selected 16 companies in response to the call for applications. Over the course of two sessions, the companies pitched and discussed their solutions directly with administration representatives.
The startups included AdaAI, Aixa, Anyway, Artifact, Begasoft, Deeplink (recent winner of Sword Startup Challenge), Demokratis, Karakun, Mira-Lux, Nihito.io, Noemon, Peerdom, SquareTech, Visium, We Slam, and Zeilenwerk.
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The purpose of the Exchange was clear: test whether promising technologies can meet expectations and, more importantly, become operational tools. Discussions between startup teams and administration units allowed for an open evaluation of feasibility, value, and alignment with federal objectives.
Beyond putting forward possible answers, the event also responded to Parliament's request for the Administration to test new ideas and adopt them where useful. A follow-up Innovation Exchange is already planned for 2027, further anchoring this format as a link between public needs and market-ready technology.
