The Digital Accelerator Basel is a three-month, part-time program designed around the individual needs of each startup. Rather than following a fixed curriculum, the program combines tailored support, group activities, site visits, pitching opportunities, and access to the Basel region’s innovation ecosystem.
What to expect
Dates
January 11, 2027 – April 21, 2027
Type
Part-time
Format
Hybrid
Language
English
A program built around your priorities
Every startup enters the accelerator with different goals, challenges, and opportunities. That is why the Digital Accelerator Basel does not use a fixed curriculum.
Your time in the program will be shaped around the areas that can make the greatest difference to your business. The approximately eight-hour weekly commitment is split between group activities and individual support.
Onboarding week
The program begins with an onboarding week from January 11-15.
You will meet the other startups in your cohort, learn what to expect over the coming months, and receive an overview of the available support and benefits.
Each startup will also take part in an individual onboarding session. This helps you identify how to get the most value from the program and make effective use of the Digital Accelerator Basel’s network and resources.
Accelerator meetups
Throughout the three months, startups take part in a series of meetups, individual sessions, and ecosystem activities.
These may include:
- Tailored support based on your business priorities
- Group sessions with the other participating startups
- Site visits in the Basel region
- Online meetings and workshops
- Opportunities to connect with experts, companies, and investors
- Regular opportunities to practice and refine your pitch
Most pitching activities take place in a group setting in front of guests, fellow founders, and potential investors. Individual pitching opportunities may also be arranged through the Digital Accelerator Basel network.
The final pitch
The program culminates in a final pitch event on 21 April 2027.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate your progress, present your business to the wider ecosystem, and compete for the program’s CHF 20,000 cash prize.
After the program ends, participating startups become members of the DAB alumni community. Alumni receive program news, invitations to selected events, and opportunities to stay connected with other founders.
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Next call for applications for the Digital Accelerator Basel opens on September 14, 2026!
Program FAQs
How long does the program run?
The program lasts approximately 3 months. The next edition runs from January 11 - April 21, 2027.
When does each edition begin?
The program runs annually, with calls for application opening in September and the selected startups beginning the program starting in January of the following year.
Is the program full-time or part-time?
The program is part-time.
How many hours per week should founders expect to commit?
Although we are looking for founders who are serious about growing their company, we only expect a time commitment of approximately 8 hours per week. This time will be split across both group activities and individual support.
Is the program delivered in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format?
The program is delivered in a hybrid format. There are site visits in the Basel region which require in-person presence but also video calls which will take place on Microsoft Teams.
What language is the program delivered in?
The main language of the program is English.
Is there a fixed curriculum?
No, the accelerator doesn’t follow a fixed curriculum.
How are the three months structured?
The first week of the program in January will be an onboarding week. Startups will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the rest of the cohort and receive an overview of the plan for the coming months. There is also an individual onboarding where startups are guided on how to take the most value from the program and take advantage of the benefits the Digital Accelerator Basel provides.
Apart from this, there is no formal structure for the rest of the program. There will be meetups organized across the three-month period, where startups will need to pitch in front of guests, other startups, and potential investors. These usually take place in a group format, though individual pitches can also be arranged through the Digital Accelerator Basel’s network. The program culminates in a final pitch on April 21, 2027.
What support is available after the program ends?
After the program ends, startups become a member of the DAB alumni. Alumni stay informed about DAB news and are invited to select events. We aim to create a large alumni community that can continue to support each other's businesses to grow even after the program ends.
