Pro Helvetia and Swissnex in San Francisco jointly announce the third edition of the Swiss Design Accelerator (SDA), offering young Swiss talents a tailor made coaching, skill development and matchmaking program in San Francisco.

The SDA’s aim is to introduce selected upcoming Swiss designers to the US market, in particular the Bay Area design ecosystem, by building essential connections, creating business opportunities, developing strategies and acquiring skills to better operate in this market. 

The program is divided into two chapters: 

1. Virtual – October 3-31, 2022 (part-time)

individual coaching sessions 

meetings with key potential partners 

US skill building sessions 

2. In person in San Francisco – November 7-13, 2022 (full-time)

individual coaching sessions 

follow up meetings with key potential partners 

networking events 

This open call is looking for designers and design studios who are willing to enter the US market with either a market-ready product, a product concept or a goal to collaborate with local companies with a specific skill set and potential partners and/or investors. Please apply via this link by June 21 (midnight).

Open Call Criteria

• The applicants need to have market-ready products, a product concept and the goal to collaborate with local companies 
• Pro Helvetia is looking for designers and design studios with innovative ideas, responding to current challenges in society, environment and industries
• The applicants may submit a project up to seven years after completing their studies or founding their studio
• The applicants must be Swiss citizens or permanently reside in Switzerland

The participants will receive financial support and a stipend for accommodation/travel of CHF 2’000.-.

For questions, please do not hesitate to contact Marie Mayoly.