Location: Swissnex in San Francisco
Status: Full-time, 40 hours/week
Start Date: March 1st, 2026
Duration: 12 months
Reports to: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Lead
Do you want to join the global Swissnex network and build meaningful connections across startups, science, education, the arts, and innovation in both Silicon Valley and Switzerland? This is your chance!
What your workday looks like
In your role as Startup Programs Associate, you support the design, coordination, and delivery of Swissnex programs in entrepreneurship and innovation. You help bring to life startup camps, investor programs, and other initiatives – ensuring each program reflects Swissnex’s mission and meets the needs of our partners and participants. As a core member of a small, collaborative team, you work closely with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, bringing a spirit of initiative, adaptability, and professionalism to everything you do.
You work closely with the Startup Program Manager and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Lead to plan and execute ongoing programs, and to conduct research and content creation such as trend analyses, benchmarking, and insight reports. You also support the team in engaging our startup alumni and contribute to expanding the Swissnex mentorship program across different verticals, including startups, academia, and the creative industries.
This position offers unique exposure to international experts, startups, and thought leaders, as well as the chance to learn about program design, event planning, and project management. You will have the opportunity to shape impactful initiatives, gain firsthand experience in global innovation, and grow your professional network within Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial community.
Your primary areas of responsibility
- Program Building & Implementation (60%)
- Alumni and Mentor Community Support (20%)
- Operational support, special projects, and other duties (20%)
What we are looking for
- Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken)
- Some experience with project management, stakeholder management, content creation, and/or event production within an innovation or startup context.
- Experience engaging with the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Switzerland or the US. This can include attendance/participation at events and/or student organizations.
- Demonstrated interest in science, art, innovation, and entrepreneurship/startups.
- Comfort using and exploring new digital tools and technologies.
- Commitment to supporting a collaborative team environment.
- Team player with a creative, curious, and solution-oriented mindset.
- A person who identifies with terms like problem-solver, proactive, independent, self-motivated, collaborative, energetic, and detail-oriented.
- Strong organizational skills and a hands-on, execution-oriented mindset; thrives on planning, coordinating, and seeing projects through to completion.
- Flexibility to work evening hours as needed for events.
- Comfortable standing for extended periods during events and able to lift up to 25 pounds as needed.
Eligibility criteria for internship
- You are a Swiss citizen or have a valid Swiss work permit for the duration of the internship. Unfortunately, since we are based in the U.S., applicants with B permits that were issued for academic study are not eligible, even if your permit says it is valid for work in Switzerland.
- You are currently studying in a university or university of applied sciences (hochschule / haute école) towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, OR the last university degree (Bachelor/Master) is not older than one year at the beginning of the internship. Unfortunately, no exceptions are possible.
- You have not gained professional experience in the field of your studies.
- The total period of all internships within the Swiss Confederation is limited to 6 months for candidates who have not yet obtained their Bachelor’s degree, or 12 months for those with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. The total includes this internship as well as former «Hochschulpraktikum»/«Stage académique».
Compensation
USD 3’500/month
What we offer you
- 20 days of vacation, 12+ annual holidays, sick leave.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Gain hands-on experience in one of the world’s most dynamic innovation hubs, expand your professional network across Switzerland and Silicon Valley, and develop event management skills in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
About us
Swissnex in San Francisco connects the dots between Switzerland and the U.S. West Coast in education, research, innovation, and the arts. We foster international collaboration and empower next generation innovators to create futures in which the planet and society thrives. In service of this goal, our dynamic and international team produces academic, corporate and creative industry programs, startup bootcamps, events and much more.
As an employer, we established a collaborative and purpose-driven team culture and care about an environment that encourages innovation, experimentation, and creative problem-solving. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for fostering creativity and achieving our organizational goals.
Learn more about Swissnex in San Francisco: https://swissnex.org/sanfrancisco
Sounds interesting? Apply now!
We look forward to receiving your application. Please apply through this link and include both your resume (CV) in English and a customized one-page cover letter in English that answers: 1) why you are interested in this position and why you want to work at Swissnex in San Francisco, and 2) the experiences, personal qualities or strengths that make you well-suited for the position.
Deadline to apply: November 23, 2025
