Program

Venturelab and our industry partner, Microsoft, are looking for pioneering Swiss startups developing software solutions that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for the Microsoft AI Tech Accelerator Community 2026. The program focuses on creating a community to connect Switzerland's most innovative startups with peers and provide access to resources, the best of Microsoft's technologies, and Microsoft employees to fast-track AI solution development.

What you will gain

Through the Microsoft AI Tech Accelerator Community 2026, participants will benefit from:

Multiple tech sessions on Agentic AI, GitHub, Copilot, and GTM
Hands-on labs with Microsoft experts
One-to-one coaching sessions
Access to all models hosted via AI Foundry (Azure OpenAI, Grok 3, Llama 4 Scout & Maverick, and more)

Pre-Requisites and Selection Criteria

Have a B2B SaaS or highly scalable B2C software solution with at least one customer reference
Have a clear idea of how to use AI within your solution
Developing your solution on Microsoft Azure (either willing to migrate or already on Azure)
Have an active Azure subscription by February 1st
Willingness to sign NDA with Microsoft (to ensure protection of startups' IP and necessary to receive non-public product information)
Commitment to participate in the accelerator at the Microsoft Zurich office during the in-person events (approximately every second Monday from February to the end of April).

The process

Submit your application by 11. January 2026
The top 20 selected startups will be invited to join the accelerator program
For three months, you will be participating in the community events
Selected finalists will be pitching their solution at the end of the program to the Microsoft jury.

Apply now with your innovative AI solution to be part of this unique experience. Please get in contact with Maurice Stäheli should you have any questions.

Disclaimer: Data is collected for Venturelab’s purposes only and not on behalf of Microsoft.