Innovation Sprint
sprintd Zurich
9-11 October 2026 · Bluelion, Zurich
Our first innovation sprint. 36 hours, around 100 builders, real-world problems turned into working AI solutions. Free to enter. Applications open in August.
- 36-hour sprint
- Around 100 builders
- Free to enter
- When
- 9-11 October 2026
- Kick-off
- Friday, 17:00
- Where
- Bluelion, Zurich
- Entry
- Free, all in
What we're actually doing
Bring a real-world problem and the modern tools to crack it. What took a team months five years ago can now ship in a weekend. That is the whole bet behind sprintd Zurich.
For 36 hours, around 100 builders form small teams and turn real problems into working, AI-powered prototypes. Not slides. Not concepts. Software you can use on Sunday.
There are very few problems left that these tools and these people cannot make a serious dent in. We put them in one room for a weekend and find out how far that goes.
The weekend
Three days, one build. Here is the shape of it.
- 01
Day 1
Friday
Doors open at 17:00. We kick off with the opening ceremony, reveal the challenges, and form teams. By 20:00 the hacking is underway and the room settles into its first long stretch of building. The energy on the first night is unlike anything else.
- 02
Day 2
Saturday
One continuous build from morning to night. Mentors move between teams, ask hard questions, and help you sharpen what you have. Many teams work straight through the dark hours. Food, drinks, showers, and a place to sleep are all on site, so the only thing pulling you away from the work is your own need for a few hours of rest.
- 03
Day 3
Sunday
Final submissions go in during the morning, then every team presents what they built to the jury. The jury picks the solutions worth awarding, and the closing ceremony sends everyone off. You leave with working software, new people in your corner, and the proof of what 36 hours can do.
The venue
Bluelion · Zurich
Bluelion is Zurich's homebase for ambitious tech startups. A non-profit foundation since 2012, founder-first by design: affordable workspace, access to customers and investors, and an exclusive founder community. For one weekend in October it's ours.
One open build floor, a stage, breakout corners, a rooftop terrace, showers, and room to sleep on site. You arrive Friday and you don't need to leave until it's done.
What's included
The whole weekend is free to enter. Once you're in, everything below is covered.
Free entry
No ticket, no fee, no deposit. You apply, and if you're in, you're in.
Food all weekend
Meals and snacks from Friday to Sunday, on us.
Drinks
Covered for the full weekend, day and night.
Overnight stay
Sleep on site at Bluelion on mattresses we provide. No hotel, no commute, no lost hours.
Showers on site
Freshen up between builds. Showers are available at the venue.
Mentors on hand
Experienced mentors move between teams all weekend. The lineup is announced closer to the event.
What to bring
You sleep on site on mattresses we provide, so just bring what makes a few hours of rest comfortable.
A sleeping bag is the one thing you really need. We've got the mattress. Everything else just makes the night better.
A sleeping bag
Essential. The floor space and a mattress are provided, staying warm is on you.
A pillow or cushion
Optional, but your neck will thank you. A small travel pillow does the job.
Sleeping mask and earbuds
Highly recommended. The room can stay bright and loud when not everyone sleeps at once.
Pack light
Bring what gets you a few hours of sleep, your laptop and charger, and not much more.
Who should apply
Anyone who builds. Developers, designers, data people, and the domain experts who actually understand the problem. With today's tools almost anyone can ship software, so the real edge is having different angles attack the same problem at once. Apply with your own team of three to four, or apply solo. If you apply solo, you won't be dropped into a random team: matchmaking helps you find a team or team up with others who also applied on their own, in the weeks before the event. No team by the time it starts? We'll help you find one on site. Open to everyone from age 18, and to 16 and 17 year olds with a parent's consent.
Questions, answered
What does it cost?
Nothing. Entry is free, and that includes food, drinks, showers, and a place to sleep on site for the whole weekend.
Is this a hackathon?
In format, yes: small teams, 36 hours, working software by Sunday. We call it an innovation sprint because the focus is the innovation and the real-world problem, not just the code, and because it draws people from every domain, not only coders.
Who can apply?
Anyone who wants to build, from anywhere. You need to be 18 or older. 16 and 17 year olds are welcome with a parent's or guardian's consent.
Do I need a team?
No. Apply with your own team of three to four, or apply solo. We don't drop you into a random team. Before the event, our matchmaking helps you find a team or connect with others who also applied on their own. And if you arrive without a team, we'll help you sort one out on site.
Do I need to be a developer?
No. We want developers, designers, business minds, and domain experts. The strongest teams mix them.
Where do I sleep, and what should I bring?
You sleep on site at Bluelion, on mattresses we provide. Bring a sleeping bag, and a pillow, sleeping mask, and earbuds if you want to rest well. The room can be bright and loud when not everyone sleeps at once. Showers are available at the venue.
Are there showers on site?
Yes. Showers are available at the venue, so you can freshen up between builds.
Is there a separate sleeping area for women?
Yes. There is a dedicated women's sleeping area at the venue.
When do applications open?
At the beginning of August 2026. Join the waitlist now and you'll be the first to know.
What happens after I'm accepted?
Once your application is accepted, we share the full details: the schedule, what to bring, how to get there, and everything else you need for the weekend.
I'm travelling from abroad. Can you help with a visa?
Yes. Once your application is accepted, we can provide an invitation letter to support a visa application.
What's the prize?
A prize pool starting at CHF 2,000, with more detail closer to the event.
Three ways to get involved
Be the first to know
Applications, the full schedule, and our partners are announced in August. Detailed logistics go out to everyone once their application is accepted. Join the waitlist and you'll hear before anyone else.