The FF+ Acceleration Program is a ten-week accelerator designed to help female-founded, early-stage startups in Switzerland become investment-ready. Organized by Female Founders x Founders Hive, the program combines expert-led workshops, individual coaching, networking, and fundraising preparation to equip participating teams with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to secure investment and scale their businesses.
Applications are currently open for the Fall 2026 cohort and close on 31 August 2026. The program begins on 1 October 2026 and is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online sessions with in-person workshops and networking activities in Zurich.
Program Offerings
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Participate in practical workshops, coaching sessions, and networking opportunities addressing key challenges faced by early-stage startups.
• Investment Proposition Development: Strengthen your startup's investment proposition and learn how to position the business effectively for potential investors.
• Financial Readiness: Develop a stronger understanding of financial planning and structures aligned with investor expectations.
• Pitch Training: Refine your pitch, messaging, and delivery to communicate your startup's vision and opportunity clearly and persuasively.
• Legal and Due Diligence Preparation: Prepare your company for investor due diligence and strengthen its legal readiness for fundraising.
• Investor Relationships: Learn how to establish, develop, and maintain productive relationships with potential investors.
• Strategic Development: Consolidate your startup's strategic direction and identify priorities for sustainable growth.
• Individual Coaching: Receive tailored coaching focused on the specific challenges, priorities, and development needs of your startup.
• Fundraising Support: Prepare to present your refined pitch and business proposition to investors, partners, and other stakeholders.
Application Criteria
• Team Composition: Ideally, startups should have a minimum of two co-founders to support collaborative leadership and execution.
• Female Co-Founder: At least one member of the founding team must be female.
• Business Focus: The startup should be science- or technology-based, or focused on generating meaningful social or environmental impact.
• Company Stage: The startup should have been incorporated within the last three years and be at an early stage of development.
• Location: Participating teams should be based in Switzerland to benefit from the program's local network and in-person activities.
• Flexible Assessment: Startups that do not meet every criterion are still encouraged to apply, as applications are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis.
Costs and Commitment
• Program Fee: Participation in the FF+ Acceleration Program is free of charge.
• Weekly Commitment: Participants should expect approximately two hours of scheduled sessions each week, in addition to flexible coaching opportunities.
• Hybrid Format: The program combines online sessions with in-person workshops and networking activities in Zurich.
• Dropout Fee: In the event of premature withdrawal from the program or a no-show at Demo Day, the organizers reserve the right to charge an expense allowance of CHF 3,000.
Curriculum Breakdown
• Week 1: Kick-Off & Business Model – Begin with a focused business model workshop followed by a networking Apéro in Zurich.
• Week 2: Go-To-Market Strategy & Marketing/Communications – Develop strategies for positioning your product or service effectively in the market.
• Week 3: Financials – Strengthen your financial setup and learn how to align financial planning with investor expectations.
• Week 4: Legal – Prepare your startup for due diligence and improve its legal readiness for potential investment.
• Week 5: Investor Relationships – Learn how to identify, approach, and build sustainable relationships with investors.
• Week 6: Pitch Training Workshop – Take part in an intensive workshop focused on refining your pitch content and delivery.
• Week 7: Strategy Forward Coaching – Receive one-on-one coaching to consolidate your strategic direction and next steps.
• Weeks 8 & 9: Coaching & Preparation – Work with coaches and mentors to refine your business strategy, fundraising materials, and pitch.
• Week 10: Demo Day – Present your progress and pitch your startup to investors, partners, and stakeholders in Zurich.
Key Dates
• Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
• Program Start: 1 October 2026
• Program Duration: 10 weeks
The FF+ Acceleration Program supports greater diversity and female representation within the Swiss startup ecosystem. By providing specialized training, individual coaching, investor preparation, networking opportunities, and community support, the program aims to help female-founded startups strengthen their businesses, improve their investment readiness, and pursue sustainable growth.