MITdesignX brings global accelerator to Le Rosey in Rolle

In collaboration with MITdesignX, Institut Le Rosey is launching a new start-up acceleration program in Rolle, aiming to support early-stage ventures with global impact.

The program, hosted on Le Rosey’s Rolle campus, will welcome 16 early-stage start-ups from around the world. Focused on ventures still refining product-market fit, solution design, and go-to-market strategy, the initiative targets entrepreneurs driven to address real-world challenges through innovation and sustainable business models.

Start-ups selected for the program will take part in four intensive two-day workshops led by MIT faculty and staff. Participation in person is mandatory for at least two team members per venture.

Global methodology, local impact

The MITdesignX curriculum, refined through nearly a decade of global deployment, guides founders through structured exercises in product design, communication, hiring, marketing, and fundraising. Start-ups are challenged to validate assumptions, speak directly to customers, and base strategic decisions on rigorous evidence and creative experimentation.

Participants benefit from the same methodology that has supported over 200 ventures launched through MITdesignX programs in cities such as Cambridge, Venice, Dubai, and Hong Kong. Past graduates of the program have created impactful solutions in sectors including housing, health, energy, water, and mobility.

This new initiative marks the first time the accelerator comes to Switzerland. It reflects Le Rosey’s growing commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation education, and complements the school’s international outlook. The MITdesignX Le Rosey program will further enrich Western Switzerland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by fostering early-stage ventures with a strong foundation and global ambition.

With Rolle’s strategic location near Geneva and Lausanne, the program also strengthens the Lake Geneva region’s position as a launchpad for innovation-driven companies in Europe.