Start-Up Summit
Les Roches Crans-Montana
15 – 17 April 2026
Welcome to the Home of Hospitality Innovation
Spark Summit is a two-day start-up innovation event hosted by Les Roches in partnership with Switzerland Innovation Park West EPFL, bringing together start-ups, students, alumni, and industry experts to explore how technology can transform the hospitality industry.
Collaborate. Validate. Pitch. Grow.
About the Summit
Spark Summit is designed as a collaborative platform where innovative ideas meet real-world insight. Selected start-ups work closely with Les Roches students and hospitality experts on campus to test assumptions, refine value propositions, and strengthen their pitches through expert guidance and hands-on collaboration.
The Summit culminates in a final pitch night, where projects are evaluated by a jury of industry leaders, faculty members, and Switzerland Innovation Park West EPFL representatives. Winning teams receive industry-relevant prizes, including go-to-market opportunities and support within the Swiss innovation ecosystem.
Schedule
Arrival, Apero & Pitch Night
Participants should arrive to Crans-Montana campus on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 5:00 PM.
An apero will be served before Pitch Night begins at 7:30 PM.
Keynote, Work Session and Networking
Thursday 16 April 2026 - at 9:00 AM.
Final Day Presentation and Closing
Friday 17 April 2026 – until approximately 4:00 PM.
Guest Speakers
Spark Summit Prizes
Swisstech Discovery Program
3 months free access to Switzerland Innovation’s ecosystem, infrastructure, and networks.
Les Roches Incubation Program
3–6 months incubation at the Les Roches Crans-Montana campus with industry go-to-market support.
Industry Go-to-Market Partnership
Potential pilot, partnership, or market-entry opportunity with corporate partners (TBC).
Spark Summit Journey
1. Apply
Submit the registration form with your contact details and a 300-word[GP1] concept description outlining:
- The problem you are solving
- Your proposed solution
- Why it matters for the hospitality industry
Applications are reviewed through a screening process to ensure relevance and feasibility.
2. Pitch to Students
Selected applicants will deliver a 3-minute pitch to Les Roches students at the start of the Summit.
Student groups supporting the selected projects will be formed according to individual interests and strengths, ensuring each project benefits from a diverse mix of skills and perspectives.
3. Collaborate & Refine
Over the next day, the selected teams will work closely with:
- Les Roches students
- Industry experts and mentors across technology, business, innovation, and hospitality
Teams will use the campus as a living laboratory to:
- Validate assumptions
- Strengthen the value proposition
- Refine the business and pitch narrative
4. Final Pitch Day
The Spark Summit culminates in a dynamic Final Pitch Day, where participating teams present the progress and insights developed throughout the Summit.
Projects will be showcased to a jury of industry experts, faculty members, and innovation partners, highlighting the strength of each concept, its validation journey, and its potential impact on the hospitality industry.
Final Pitch Day celebrates collaboration, creativity, and forward-thinking ideas, recognising the projects that demonstrate the greatest promise for real-world application and future growth.
Practical Information
Campus address & contact details
Les Roches Global Hospitality Education Route des Moulinettes 2 3975 Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Reception : +41(0)27 485 96 00
- Security : +41(0)79 203 75 92
By train
Plan your journey with the latest timetables and live information on sbb.ch/en or download the SBB mobile app.
Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved