InCube is a 5-day intensive design thinking challenge unlike anything else. You and four teammates, all from different disciplines, live and work inside a glass cube, tackling a real-world problem proposed by an industry partner. You move through the full design thinking process: from raw idea to polished prototype to a final pitch in front of a jury. Five days. One cube. One shot at building something real.

The InCube Challenge is a launchpad for ambitious students who want to build something real. It is structured around three connected experiences: PrepCube, OutCube, and InCube. PrepCube is an online session in September where selected participants receive everything they need to prepare. OutCube and InCube follow in October, culminating in a final pitch event at the Audi Max at ETH Zurich on October 30th.

OutCube is your launchpad into the challenge. Taking place in the Swiss Alps from October 20 to 24, it is a hands-on week of team-building, entrepreneurship workshops, and international networking. You will leave with the tools, the mindset, and the connections you need to make the most of InCube and your future as a founder.

PrepCube takes place online in September (exact date to be confirmed). OutCube runs from October 20 to 24 in the Swiss Alps. InCube runs from October 26 to 30 in Switzerland. The final pitch event takes place on October 30th at the Audi Max at ETH Zurich. Full details are shared with selected participants.

InCube is open to all university students (Bachelor, Master, PhD), recent graduates, and students on a gap year, regardless of field of study. If you are driven, curious, and ready to operate outside your comfort zone, this challenge is built for you.

Not a single franc. InCube is 100% free. We cover everything: travel to Switzerland for international participants, travel within Switzerland, food, and accommodation during both OutCube and InCube. You bring the energy. We handle the rest.

Applications open on May 1, 2026 and close on June 5, 2026. We review applications on a rolling basis, so applying early is to your advantage.

Applications are reviewed continuously. Final decisions will be communicated by August.

No. There is one single application for the entire InCube Challenge. If selected, you participate in all three parts: PrepCube, OutCube, and InCube. It is one complete journey.

Because it is the kind of experience you will talk about for years. In a few intense days, you will develop real entrepreneurial skills, collaborate with talented people from around the world, and get direct access to senior leaders from top industry partners. More than that, you will be pushed beyond what you thought you were capable of and will come away with a network, a skill set, and potentially the foundation of your own startup. InCube does not just teach you how to think like an entrepreneur. It makes you one.

Absolutely not. You need curiosity, motivation, and an open mind. The challenges are revealed on the first day of InCube, so everyone starts from the same point. Your drive matters far more than any prior idea.

InCube is a masterclass in entrepreneurial thinking, compressed into one week. You will develop hands-on experience in design thinking, prototyping, lean canvas, market research, and pitching, coached by experienced startup mentors and industry experts. Beyond the hard skills, you will sharpen how you think under pressure, lead in ambiguous situations, and turn a blank page into a concrete solution. You will leave with practical tools, direct access to Switzerland's startup ecosystem, and the confidence to back yourself as a builder.

Your home base is a glass cube, a 5x5m workspace and bedroom shared with your four teammates. Each day, a cube facilitator guides your team through the relevant stage of the design thinking process. The days are full-on: participants typically work from 8:30 to 22:00, with lunch and dinner breaks provided. Throughout the day, top speakers and entrepreneurs drop by the cubes to share insights and challenge your thinking. On the final day, all teams present their solutions at the pitch event at the Audi Max at ETH Zurich. Selected participants will also have the opportunity to take part in the ETH Launch event the following Tuesday.

Each team receives a unique challenge on day one, a real problem posed by one of our industry partners. The topics stay secret until then, by design. We want your creativity to be completely unanchored. Expect something ambitious, relevant, and genuinely unsolved.

No, and that is part of the experience. Teams are carefully assembled by the InCube team based on your application and interview, with the goal of creating the most complementary and dynamic group possible. Cube locations are also assigned by us. Embrace the unknown. It is where the best ideas come from.

Yes, and you will need to. Bathrooms, showers, and facilities are just outside the cube and accessible around the clock. You will also be encouraged to step out and test your prototype with real people nearby. That said, the cube is your office, your meeting room, and your bedroom for those four days. You will eat and sleep inside it, and spend the majority of your time working as a team within its walls.

The cube is 5x5m, 25 square metres of shared space for your team of five.

A laptop or tablet with its charger is required. Beyond that, pack light. Most materials are provided, and you are sharing the space. A full packing list will be sent to all selected participants before the event.

Five people, all from different academic or professional backgrounds. You will also have a dedicated cube facilitator guiding your team throughout the challenge.

Yes. The cubes are glass, so anyone can stop by and watch the teams at work during InCube. You are also warmly invited to the final pitch event on October 30th at the Audi Max at ETH Zurich. It is a high-energy evening showcasing what five days inside a cube can produce, with pitches, speakers, and a room full of people who care about entrepreneurship. Come and see it for yourself.

Winning InCube comes with a package of real, tangible benefits. Past participants have gone on to build funded startups, attract investor attention, and land opportunities with sponsors and partner companies. Every participant gains access to a network of ambitious founders, industry leaders, and potential collaborators that extends well beyond the event itself. The InCube Fellowship, ongoing expert coaching, and long-term community support are part of what makes this more than just a competition. It is a starting point.

Not at all. InCube is explicitly built around interdisciplinary teams. Your field of study is irrelevant. What matters is your mindset.

None in particular. An interest in entrepreneurship and a genuine willingness to learn are all you need to bring.

If you are eligible for a reimbursement, you must submit the reimbursement sheet by December 10, 2026. Further details will be shared with selected participants.

No. Participants are responsible for their own personal and health insurance coverage.

The experience does not end when you leave the cube. You can continue developing the idea you worked on, and many participants do. InCube is well regarded by companies and investors as a signal of initiative and entrepreneurial ability. The network you build across PrepCube, OutCube, InCube, and the final event will continue to open doors long after October.

Yes, internet access is provided throughout.