CoLab
CoLab Programme is eight weeks of fast-paced collaboration, hands-on workshops, and cross-disciplinary teams solving real challenges together.
Student applications for the 2025 edition are now closed. Researcher-led challenges are relaunching soon—register your interest so we can reach out as soon as the coaching pathway reopens.
Students · September–October
Student applications for the 2025 cohort are now closed. Leave your details and we will reach out as soon as next year’s programme opens.
Complete the short interest form for priority updates on future cohorts.
PhDs · June–September
Researchers define the challenge, coach the teams, and translate deep-tech insights into market-ready pilots. Applications are currently closed, but you can register for updates.
Leave your details and we will reach out as soon as the researcher track returns.
Weeks
5
Teams
7
Workshops
6+
Students per Team
4-5
World-Class Universities
3-4
Academic Backgrounds
24
Workshops typically run between 18:00 and 21:00. Times may shift slightly as additional mentors join.
An on-stage showcase at Bluelion Zürich where teams unveil their pilots to partners, investors, and the jury.
Edition overview
CoLab Programme is the active edition. CoLab 2024 now lives in the archive so the history of the competition remains accessible without cluttering navigation.
Current Edition
Explore the 2025 experience, timeline, and application details on this page.
Archive
Dive into the previous edition to see teams, workshops, and mentors from last year.
Student applications closed on October 9, 2025. The student window typically runs from September–October each year—leave your details to be notified when it reopens.
PhD and researcher applications run from June–September, giving coaches time to shape the challenges before kickoff. Register your interest so we can reach out when the next call goes live.
Team competition: Teams tackle ready-to-use R2B case challenges prepared by domain experts.
Judging format: Following presentations and a Q&A session, judges select the winners.
Role shift: After qualifiers, PhD students become coaches to guide their teams to the finals.
Six intensive workshops help teams excel in the final competition.
Evaluation: Teams showcase their projects across key areas like product-market-fit, networking, financing, and decision-making.
