School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland – School of Business, presents the SBM ITB Swiss Innovation Challenge 2026.
SBM ITB Swiss Innovation Challenge 2026 is an integrated innovation competition for projects at the ideation, conceptualization, and early implementation stages. The challenge is open to groups, institutions, and individuals who wish to introduce and implement innovations or have been working on them for some time. The business idea can take the form of a product or service innovation, or an organizational or management innovation. The competition is divided into three phases. The first phase involves a document-based selection, while the second and final phases involve pitching presentations.
One representative of the first-place winner from SBM ITB Swiss Innovation Challenge 2026 will be invited to pitch in Vietnam alongside the representatives of the first-place winners from Malaysia, Japan, and Vietnam (Final pitch Swiss Innovation Challenge Asia 2026). In the end the winner from Swiss Innovation Challenge Asia 2026 will visit FHNW, learn from leading innovation researchers, experience Switzerland’s entrepreneurial landscape, and connect with global innovators and potential partners. All innovations will also be evaluated for potential commercialization in collaboration with SBM ITB’s innovation ecosystem.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Your innovation project is in the pre-start-up phase, start-up phase, or already formally established as a business or other form of organization.
- Regardless of stage, your innovation should demonstrate significant potential and a clear idea.
- Applications are accepted from individuals, teams, businesses, or other organizations.
- You may submit more than one innovation project.
- Your innovation may be in the ideation, conceptualization, or planning phase.
- More mature innovations are also accepted if you believe they can be further developed.
- At least one team member must be fluent in English, as all program content and communication will be conducted in English.
- Submissions must follow the format outlined in Phase I: Outlining the Innovation / Business Idea.
Additional Notes:
- The organizers reserve the right to reject applications or disqualify participants at any point without providing a reason.
- Previous participants are welcome to join again, except those who have received prize money and/or a flight ticket to Switzerland.
Programme & Evaluation Criteria
The competition consists of three phases:
Phase I: Outlining the Innovation / Business Idea
Applicants must submit a concept aligned with the grand theme: “Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainability.” It may take the form of a new business model, product, service, organizational, or managerial innovation. The concept must include:
- A clear and visually supported vision and implementation plan
- A concrete idea: what you plan to do or have done
- A concise and compelling description of the innovation
- The unique value proposition
- Added value generated (compared to competitors)
- Competitor analysis
- Financial needs and funding sources
- Revenue estimates and financial dynamics
- A timeline of next steps
Phase II: Turning the Idea into a Business Plan
This phase focuses on the feasibility of the idea. Participants must submit a professional business plan based on their innovation. It may include:
- Executive Summary: Vision, strategy, management, products/services, market, financial plan, risks, and opportunities
- Company Overview: Legal structure, ownership, partners, and advisory roles
- Management and Staffing: Organization structure, roles, team background, staffing plan
- Products and Services: Detailed description, customer value, lifecycle, and innovation roadmap
- Market Analysis: Key markets, customer segments, competition, and projected sales
- Marketing Plan: Target markets, communications, sales strategy, service model, and pricing
- Risk Management: Threat identification and mitigation strategies
- Operations: Facilities, production, logistics, supplier network, cost projections
- Legal & Public Considerations: IP protection, insurance, social engagement
- Timeline: Milestones and deadlines
Phase III: Implementation Plan and Final Pitch
Participants must present a pitch deck that demonstrates how they plan to implement their innovation. This presentation should be based on both the business plan and an implementation plan submitted beforehand.
The jury will include representatives from academicians (FHNW, SBM ITB, UMK, experienced entrepreneurs and professionals). Winners will be selected based on total scores and must showcase innovations with outstanding potential.
Your final presentation should include:
- A summary of your entrepreneurial vision
- Integration of the innovation into your broader enterprise strategy
- Practical feasibility and implementation plans
- Project management approach
- Anticipated customer and business impact
- Degree of innovation and scalability potential
Event Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration | 13 – 20 July |
| Persiapan Kick Off | 13 July |
| Seminar Kick Off (online and offline) | 20 July |
| Submission: Phase 1 Innovation Description | 27 July |
| Phase 1 Announcement (based on document evaluation) | 1 Agusust |
| Seminar 1 (online and offline) | 6 Agusust |
| Coaching 2 | 6 August |
| Submission: Phase 2 Business Plan | 13 August |
| Pitching Phase 2 Business Plan | 20 August |
| Phase 2 Announcement: Pitching | 20 August |
| Seminar 2 (online and offline) |
27 August |
| Coaching 3 | 27 August |
| Submission: Phase 3 Implementation Plan | 5 September |
| Phase 3: Final Pitch SBM ITB Swiss Innovation Challenge 2026 | 16 Sept |
| Awarding | 16 Sept |
| Final Swiss Innovation Challenge Asia 2026 (Vietnam) | 10 October |
| Visit to Switzerland | 22 November |
Ready to join the challenge? Submit your application by clicking here.