"The start-up world is shaping the future of us all"

It's just a few weeks away: Startup Nights, Switzerland's biggest startup event, will be taking place in Winterthur. As Co-President of the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur, Alyssia Kugler is right in the middle of it all and is responsible for communication around the event, among other things. In this interview, she reveals where her personal fascination for the startup world comes from and what her personal highlight of this year's Startup Nights is.

Alyssia Kugler, for all those who don't know you yet: Who are you and what is your role at Startup Nights?
Alyssia Kugler: I'm a young woman who wants to help shape and build something long-term. Coffee mornings or Netflix evenings don't suit me. In my free time, I prefer to contribute to the expansion and consolidation of the startup ecosystem in Winterthur and Switzerland. In organizing the Startup Nights, I primarily take care of everything related to communication and marketing. On site at the Startup Nights, I am the host due to my role as Co-President of the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur.

What fascinates you about start-ups?
As a teenager, I simply saw entrepreneurship as an exciting option to be your own boss and change something that doesn't suit you. Nevertheless, I have followed the very traditional career path so far. Working in the startup sector is a place where, on the one hand, I can realize myself and make a difference. On the other hand, I find the start-up world extremely fascinating because it is shaping the future of all of us to a large extent. Their ideas and innovations solve our problems and create the jobs of tomorrow.

Since this summer, Alyssia Kugler has shared the co-presidency of the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur with Michael Kubli.

What makes Winterthur a Startup City?
There are many aspects that together make Winterthur a startup city. Firstly, its location between Zurich and St. Gallen with a busy train station, highway access and proximity to the airport. Secondly, the ZHAW, five of whose eight departments are in Winterthur - including Business, Engineering and Health. Thirdly, Winterthur has space and creative places to develop big ideas. For example, the Home of Innovation, the Technopark Winterthur or the Lokstadt. As the icing on the cake, Winterthur is home to the most active startup association in Switzerland, the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur, which plays a major role in ensuring that the startup ecosystem is well networked, growing and recognized nationally.

How could Winterthur become even more attractive for startups?
In my opinion, the city as a whole should officially position itself as a startup city and the most important drivers of the startup ecosystem should turn various screws with conviction and pragmatism. One such screw would be the establishment of an investor pool in Winterthur. This is because startups that have investors in other cities or even abroad often relocate there sooner or later. Another screw would be the promotion of young talent, whereby start-ups must be made known as a valid career path and entrepreneurial thinking and independent problem solving must be promoted in a more targeted manner.

How important are start-ups for innovation?
I believe that innovation can happen anywhere, whether in SMEs, large companies or non-profit organizations. However, start-ups have several advantages, which makes them important players. Firstly, they are very agile and fast, which is often less the case in large companies, for example. Secondly, they focus on their idea or a single problem that they want to solve. Thirdly, they and their investors have a certain willingness to take risks, which is why they can confidently drive their ideas forward, which is more difficult in non-profit organizations that work with membership fees, donations or government funding, for example.

You already mentioned that you are Co-President of the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur. What exactly does the club do?
The organization of the Startup Nights is clearly our most time-consuming and important project. It actually condenses all our activities into one event. Basically, however, we are the point of contact and competence center in Winterthur and the surrounding area for all topics related to startups. We network, raise awareness and offer a platform. Detailed information about our activities can be found on our website.

Let's talk about the Startup Nights. What can visitors to the Startup Nights look forward to?
The atmosphere alone is reason enough to stop by. Nowhere else can you feel so much energy and inspiration in one room as at Startup Nights. In terms of the program, I find three points absolutely recommendable for all classes of visitors: Firstly, the exciting presentations by successful founders. Secondly, the Startup World, where over 130 startups exhibit their ideas and innovations, and thirdly, the pitching competition, where selected startups present their ideas in front of an audience and investors - just like on the TV show "Die Höhle der Löwen", simply live.

Up to 5000 visitors are expected at this year's Startup Nights.

What are you looking forward to the most?
It's difficult for me to limit myself to a single highlight, because it's already a highlight that Switzerland's biggest startup event is taking place in Winterthur and not in another Swiss city. What I find particularly cool are the live podcast recordings from the Swisspreneur Show. I'm also excited to welcome the group of startups from Cologne who are traveling to Winterthur and it's the first sign that the event is being recognized internationally. The matchmaking app, which is available to startups, investors and companies, also offers great added value, which we are able to offer for the first time. Participants can use the app to see who else is attending the event, whereupon a personal meeting is automatically organized in the matchmaking area.

Interview: Linda Stratacò, October 2022