What Swisscom StartUp Challenge does

Swisscom (Switzerland) Ltd is Switzerland's largest telecommunications operator, majority-owned by the Swiss Confederation at approximately 51%, with the Swisscom StartUp Challenge positioned as one of its open-innovation programs targeting sustainability-focused startups alongside Kickbox (intrapreneurship), Kickstart (innovation program), and Swisscom Ventures (CHF 600M+ AUM across 85+ portfolio companies since 2007). The company operates Switzerland's best-rated mobile network with up to 99% 5G population coverage and the country's largest high-speed fibre footprint delivering up to 10 Gbit/s, and was named Connect Test Winner in 2025.

The commercial portfolio is built around the blue subscription stack: blue Mobile (CHF 39.90/month entry-level through CHF 131.80/month premium tiers with worldwide roaming options), blue Internet paired with Wi-Fi 7 routers including the Internet-Box 5 Pro, blue TV with 290+ channels, My Security services, and add-ons integrating Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and other streaming platforms. Bundling is incentivized through the Combi Discount structure on 24-month contracts, and a Climate Contribution (Klimabeitrag) is embedded across subscriptions to support the company's net-zero 2035 target on top of 100% renewable network operations since 2010.

The business model is recurring-subscription-led with one-time hardware revenue on premium routers and set-top boxes. Distribution is multi-channel: owned Swisscom Shops direct plus white-label reseller brands including Wingo, Coop Mobile, M-Budget Mobile, and Migros Mobile. Strategic positioning leans on Switzerland-specific structural advantages (state ownership, regulatory standing, network density), sustainability credentials (TIME/Statista World's Most Sustainable Companies 2024), and an AI/partnership footprint anchored by ETH AI Center membership and the AI House Davos venue co-initiated at WEF 2024.

Name

Swisscom StartUp Challenge

Legal name

Swisscom (Switzerland) Ltd

Website

https://swisscom.ch

Company type

Public

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Swisscom (Switzerland) Ltd operates Switzerland's largest telecom network — 99% 5G coverage and 10 Gbit/s fibre — serving 1.2M+ residential subscribers with bundled mobile, internet, TV, and security subscriptions, alongside open-innovation programs including the StartUp Challenge for sustainability startups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Worblaufen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Mobile Subscriptions: Recurring monthly subscription revenue from blue Mobile plans (S, M, L, XL tiers) with varying data allowances, roaming inclusions, and international calling features. Base prices range from CHF 59.90-99.90/month with promotional first-year pricing from CHF 39.90/month with Combi Discount.
2. Internet Subscriptions: Monthly subscription revenue from blue Internet plans offering fibre and copper connections with speeds up to 10 Gbit/s. Plans include security features and Wi-Fi router equipment.
3. TV Subscriptions and Add-ons: Revenue from blue TV subscriptions with base packages and premium add-ons including sport packages (blue Sport, MySports, Sky Sport, DAZN), entertainment (Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+), language packages, and Replay Comfort ad-skip feature.
4. Device and Hardware Sales: One-time sales of smartphones, tablets, smart home devices, accessories, and routers. Offers installment payment plans for devices over 24 or 36 months.
5. Security Services: Monthly subscription revenue from My Security tiers (XS, S, M, L) providing antivirus, VPN, password manager, parental controls, fraud protection, data backup, and legal protection insurance.
6. Technical Support Services: My Service subscriptions providing technical support for devices including hotline assistance, remote access support, shop support, and on-site home installation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Swisscom StartUp Challenge is an exploration program that invites startups working in the field of sustainability to participate in a corporate-led open innovation initiative run by Swisscom. The program grants selected startups access to Swisscom's expertise, market channels, and industry insights as part of the company's broader open innovation strategy linking startups, corporates, and academia.

Product overview

Swisscom offers a comprehensive telecommunications product portfolio for residential customers consisting of mobile subscriptions (blue Mobile S/M/L/XL ranging from basic to premium tier), internet subscriptions (blue Internet S/M/L with fiber speeds up to 10 Gbit/s), and TV services (blue TV M/L/XL with channel packages and streaming integrations). The offering is modular, allowing customers to combine services with discounts through Combi Discount and family plans through the We are Family! program. Security is addressed through My Security XS/S/M/L tiers offering home network protection, device security apps, password managers, and VPN services. Technical support is available through My Service subscriptions and Home Installation services. The portfolio also includes smart home devices, cloud storage (myCloud), and the Swisscom StartUp Challenge innovation program for entrepreneurs. Streaming service integrations include Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max, YouTube Premium, DAZN, blue Sport, MySports, Sky Sport, and CANAL+. Network infrastructure supports 5G with speeds up to 2.3 Gbit/s, Wi-Fi 7 routers (Internet-Box 5 and Internet-Box 5 Pro), and TV-Box 5 with UHD/Dolby Vision capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kickbox: Intrapreneurship program promoting ideas and pioneers within the company
• Kickstart
• Swisscom StartUp
• Swisscom Ventures
• Swisscom Campus
• blue Play
• blue Sport
• My Swisscom
• My Security
• My Service

Products and services

• Swisscom StartUp Challenge Exploration program operated by Swisscom that invites startups working in the field of sustainability to participate. Selected startups gain access to Swisscom's expertise, market access, and valuable insights as part of the company's open innovation strategy connecting startups, corporates, and academia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% mobile network coverage in Switzerland
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration27 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• KickboxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Intrapreneurship program promoting ideas and pioneers within Swisscom. Employees can develop innovative projects with company support, fostering internal innovation culture.
• KickstartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Innovation ecosystem program promoting open innovation and intrapreneurship at Swisscom. Connects startups, corporates, and academia for collaborative innovation.
• Swisscom StartUpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Startup support program providing expertise, market access, and valuable insights to entrepreneurs. Part of Swisscom's open innovation strategy.
• ETH ZürichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom holds the Network Security Group chair at ETH Zürich and is a partner of the ETH AI Center. Supports academic research in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
• EPFL Innovation ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom partners with EPFL to facilitate research in AI, IoT, Smart Home, 5G, and Digital Lab initiatives. Supports startup ecosystem at the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne.
• Trust ValleystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom is a partner of Trust Valley to strengthen the digital trust and cybersecurity ecosystem in Switzerland. Initiative bringing together academia, industry, and government.
• Open Wallet FoundationstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom is a founding member supporting the development and implementation of secure digital wallets of the future. Global initiative for digital identity and payment standards.
• AI House DavosstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom co-initiated AI House in Davos, launched at WEF 2024, bringing together partners to advance AI innovation and governance.
• VenturekickstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom supports startups from Swiss universities in their successful spinoff journey through Venturekick program.
• Deep Tech Nation SwitzerlandstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom contributes to positioning Switzerland as an internationally recognized Deep Tech Nation through this initiative.
• Cerro Dominador (Chile)minorOthersConcentrated Solar Panel project in Chile - Swisscom invested in this CSP plant generating clean energy and avoiding approximately 193,000 tonnes CO2e.
• Ghana Reforestation ProjectminorOthersSustainable forestry project in Ghana to stop erosion and remove/store CO2 through reforestation of 20,000 hectares. Approximately 58,000 tonnes CO2e removed.
• Uganda Reforestation ProjectminorOthersTree planting initiative in rural Uganda with smallholder farmers to store CO2. Monitored via FarmTrace and satellite imagery. Approximately 127,000 tonnes CO2e removed.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Orange S.A. French-headquartered European telecom incumbent offering mobile, fibre, and TV with a comparable retail broadband strategy and state-influenced shareholder history.
• Telenor: Nordic-headquartered telecom with comparable integrated mobile/broadband strategy and European retail subscriber economics relevant to benchmarking Swisscom.
• Telefónica: Major European telecom with integrated mobile and fixed offerings across Spain and Latin America; comparable convergence and fibre-investment approach to Swisscom.
• Vodafone Group: European and global telecom incumbent with mobile, fixed broadband, and TV services; comparable convergence strategy and emerging-market 5G investment profile.
• BT Group: UK incumbent offering fibre, mobile, and TV bundles; similar regulatory and infrastructure profile to Swisscom with comparable triple-play retail model.
• Deutsche Telekom: Europe's largest integrated telecom incumbent; comparable in scale, triple-play bundling, and 5G/fibre rollout strategy, providing a benchmark for European incumbent telecom economics.
• KPN: Dutch incumbent offering fixed and mobile services; comparable small-country integrated telecom model and 5G/fibre capital-intensity profile.

Direct peers

• Proximus: Belgian incumbent telecom with similar small-market, fibre-heavy, triple-play retail strategy and comparable government-influenced ownership characteristics.
• Sunrise UPC: Switzerland's second-largest fixed and mobile operator competing head-to-head with Swisscom on fibre, mobile, and TV subscriptions to Swiss residential customers.
• Salt (telecommunications): Swiss challenger mobile and broadband operator offering unlimited mobile and fibre plans directly competing with Swisscom's blue Mobile and blue Internet portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/swisscom
• YouTubeyoutube.com/swisscom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swisscom
• Instagraminstagram.com/swisscom

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swisscom StartUp Challenge