About the event

What's happening? In the Company Programme, students aged 16 to 20 found and run a real mini-enterprise over the course of a school year, discovering what it means to be an entrepreneur.

The National Final marks both the highlight and the conclusion of an intense programme year. At the stands in the main hall of Zurich Central Station, you will have the opportunity to meet the top 25 mini-enterprises of the year and discover their products and services. Joining them are also the youngest entrepreneurs in Switzerland: the talented pupils from our primary school programme Pintolino.

A journey that leaves its mark…

There is much more behind this competition than entrepreneurial ambition alone: the Company Programme does not just pass on business skills, but helps young people become active shapers of society. Learning early to take responsibility, understanding the impact of one's decisions and turning ideas into real value means gaining tools that are invaluable for facing the future. It is a meaningful experience that young people will carry with them long after the programme year is over.

What you missed:

The programme year kicked off in August with over 1,500 students and around 200 mini-enterprises. To reach the National Final and qualify as one of the 25 finalists, the young companies must pass through two selection rounds based on different criteria.

In the first round, the best 75 mini-enterprises are selected based on their submitted business plan and their performance at the regional Pitch Competitions organised by YES. The 25 finalists are then chosen following an evaluation of their annual report, online presence and further interviews with YES Alumni (former programme participants) and YES Programme Managers. They now enter the final stage of the competition, competing for the overall win and a range of awards.