Ecosystem · News
Innovaud×IMD 6th cohort · 2027
LeadiNNg to Scale‑up: applications open for the 6th cohort
Innovaud and IMD are launching the sixth edition of LeadiNNg to Scale-up, a programme designed for tech startup CEOs preparing for the scale-up phase. Applications close on 30 September 2026.
A programme by
Ten evening sessions on the IMD campus in Lausanne, from January to June 2027.
- Edition · after five successful cohorts
- 6th
- Evening sessions · Jan–Jun 2027
- 10
- CEOs per cohort
- ~15
- Application deadline
- 30Sep
Scaling a company brings a new set of challenges for its leader: structuring governance, growing teams, building strategic partnerships. After five successful editions, LeadiNNg to Scale-up returns to help CEOs anticipate these challenges and lead their company through its next stage of growth.
Ten evenings on the IMD campus
From January to June 2027, participants will follow ten evening sessions on the IMD campus in Lausanne, led by IMD professors and serial entrepreneurs. The programme is built around three pillars: leadership, organisational design and strategic scaling, with topics such as board management, scaling through partnerships, and human resources.
- 01Leadership
- 02Organisational design
- 03Strategic scaling
Topics such as Board managementScaling through partnershipsHuman resources
A trusted circle of peers
Each cohort brings together around fifteen CEOs from different industries, all at a similar stage of development. Peer learning is therefore a central part of the experience, offering participants a trusted circle of ambitious leaders facing comparable challenges.
A trusted circle of ambitious leaders facing comparable challenges.
Who can apply?
The programme is open to founders or CEOs of innovative tech companies with international ambitions, employing at least eight people and having raised a minimum of CHF 1 million in seed funding. Most participating companies have between 10 and 25 employees and are raising or have closed their Series A.
- Founder or CEO of an innovative tech company with international ambitions
- At least 8 employees
- At least CHF 1 million raised in seed funding
Alumni voice
I’m grateful for the learning journey LeadiNNg to Scale-Up offered. It helped us navigate our growth from 40 to 90 employees within a few years, and reach new heights at Visium.
Alen ArslanagicFounder and CEO, Visium
Alumni 2022–2026
Five cohorts of scale-up leaders
The companies whose CEOs took part in the first five editions of LeadiNNg to Scale-up.
Key dates
The road to the 6th cohort
Apply now, start in January, graduate as a scale-up leader in June.
- Open now Now Applications are open
For founders and CEOs of tech startups.
- 30 Sep 2026 Application deadline
Last day to apply.
- Jan 2027 Programme starts
First evening session on the IMD campus.
- Jun 2027 Programme ends
Ten evening sessions later.
LeadiNNg to Scale-up · 6th cohort
Ready to lead your company through its next stage of growth?
Apply by 30 September 2026. For any questions, please contact Charlotte Ducrot at charlotte.ducrot@innovaud.ch.
LeadiNNg to Scale-up · Innovaud & IMDShared by ThinkSport