Building Switzerland’s leading government-backed fintech hackathon

SwissHacks

About SwissHacks

SwissHacks was initiated by the Swiss Financial Innovation Desk (FIND) in 2023 for the first two successful editions, then continued by the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) in 2025 after FIND was integrated into the newly established SIF Innovation Desk. The initiative, powered by Tenity, was designed to accelerate Switzerland’s role as a global hub for fintech and digital innovation by mobilizing talent, industry, and academia around concrete challenges.

The hackathon brings together students, developers, startups, and corporates to solve real-world industry problems in an intense 48-hour sprint. The result is an open innovation platform that delivers prototypes, fresh perspectives, and direct talent pipelines.

Open Challenges defined by industry partners
48-hour hackathon format with mentor and expert support
Networking with partners and ecosystem stakeholders
Jury evaluation & awards by industry leaders
Stage Presence at Point Zero Forum through close collaboration with and endorsement by GFTN
From Challenge to Impact
The Challenge

SIF wants to position Switzerland as a global leader in fintech and digital finance innovation.

The goal:

  • Activate young talent and entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Engage corporates and institutions in practical, open innovation.
  • Showcase Switzerland’s innovation capacity on the global stage.
The Solution

Together with Tenity, SIF launched SwissHacks – a flagship hackathon series designed as a catalyst for early-stage innovation and talent discovery.

 

  • Program Design & Operations: Tenity orchestrated the end-to-end hackathon experience.
  • Talent Sourcing: 300+ participants from universities and innovation communities across both editions.
  • Partner Engagement: 20+ corporates, banks, and ecosystem stakeholders actively involved.
  • Follow-up: Prototypes and participants tracked, with partners gaining access to talent pool.
Results & Impact
  • 75 prototypes created in the first edition.
  • Ecosystem visibility: SwissHacks established as a flagship Swiss innovation initiative.
  • International positioning: Strengthens Switzerland’s role as a fintech innovation hub under SIF’s leadership.

The SwissHacks Timeline
2023

Established partnership with SIF and development of hackathon concept.

2024

First edition of SwissHacks with 100 participants and 21 projects submitted.

2025

Second edition of SwissHacks with 220 participants and 54 projects submitted.

2026

Third edition of SwissHacks upcoming.

Interested in partnering with SwissHacks?
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