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Arrival: 5th of September, 2025 / Departure: 7th of September, 2025
Bellinzona, Switzerland

The European Founders Weekend 2025

The European Founders Weekend 2025 is a holiday weekend, for Startup Founders in Switzerland and the rest of Europe.

How to Join

We have made a WhatsApp Group, in which we will post updates for interested attendees.

Please fill in this form to apply to join the group.

Costs

This three-day event has no ticket fee. You’ll just cover your own expenses such as accommodation and travel, plus:

  • CHF 42-45 / €45-48 for the Founders Dinner (more details below)
  • CHF 33 / €35 for the AI Conference (this is the event’s early bird ticket rate)
  • CHF 18 / €19 for the Fortezza Pass, a combined ticket for the visit to the three UNESCO Castles (this assumes we are more than ten people, which allows us to get a group discount)

Please note that we do not assist with visa invitation letter requests.

Agenda

Friday, September 5th:

Saturday, September 6th:

Sunday, September 7th:

  • 12:00pm-2:00pm: Aperitif with music
  • 2:00pm-5:30pm: We visit Bellinzona’s 3 UNESCO Castles

Accommodation

Participants of the weekend can:

  • Find a hotel on Booking.com (Search Results) or AirBnb (Search Results)
  • Or book Hotel Unione, which is the venue of our Ticino AI Conference.
  • Hotel Unione is also located at the foot of Castelgrande and just steps from the historic centre.
  • Participants of the Founders Weekend can book free morning co-working spots in Hotel Unione. To book, just email info@coworkingbar.ch

From September 5th to Saturday 7th, 2025, Hotel Unione is available at these special rates:

  • Double room comfort for 1 person: 175 CHF per night/room, breakfast and tourist tax included.
  • Double room comfort for 2 people: 215 CHF per night/room, breakfast and tourist tax included.

Extend your stay in Ticino at Hotel Unione, but stay productive :

  • Keep the same special rate and save an extra 10% when you book at least one additional night

  • Enjoy free access to a private, on-demand co-working space right inside Hotel Unione

  • Receive a free coffee during your co-working session

To take advantage of this offer, room reservations can be made via email at info@hotelunione.ch + CC shop@coworkingbar.ch by providing the promo code “coworkingbar2025”.

How to get to Bellinzona

Bellinzona is very well-connected by train! Here are some examples of routes you can take:

  • Milano Centrale to Bellinzona is less than two hours, by direct train (click here for a schedule).
  • Milan Malpensa Airport to Bellinzona is less than two hours, by direct train (click here for a schedule).
  • Zurich Airport to Bellinzona is less than two hours, by train with one change (click here for a schedule).
  • Zurich HB (Main Station) to Bellinzona is less than two hours, by direct train (click here for a schedule).

Free Co-Working Pass

Participants can book free morning co-working spots in Hotel Unione.

To book, just email info@coworkingbar.ch

Friday Evening Dinner

As mentioned in the “Costs” section, there is a dinner on Friday evening.

  • For drinks, everyone will pay separately at the restaurant.
  • For food, we will request attendees to pay Startup Network Europe in advance. This way we can pay the restaurant everything in advance. Your menu option should be confirmed one week before the dinner.

➔ 3-Course Option

Menu I (CHF 45.00)

  • Pumpkin flan with light alpine cheese fondue

  • Free-range chicken supreme with rosemary, soft polenta and late summer vegetables

  • American grape sorbet

Menu II (CHF 42.00) (vegetarian)

  • Seasonal salad with alpine cheese shavings and walnuts, yogurt dressing

  • Homemade ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms

  • Amaretto semifreddo with raspberry coulis

Vegetarian/Vegan Alternatives:

Will be adapted based on the chosen menu

Drinks:

  • Mineral water: CHF 9.00/L

  • Coffee of choice: CHF 3.00

Suggested Local Wines:

  • Bucaneve Sparkling Wine, CAGI: CHF 40.00/bottle

  • White Merlot “Confessore”, Chiericati: CHF 40.00/bottle

  • 75° Unione, Riserva del Carmagnola, Chiodi: CHF 44.00/bottle

About the Hosts

  • Startup Network Europe has hosted 242 AI and Startup Events across Europe, since 2021.
  • Coworkingbar.ch offers Co-Working Solutions, Meeting Rooms, and Event Venues in Hotels and Restaurants. It also offers Community Membership for business people, startups and inspiring entrepreneurs in Ticino.