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HackSME Day
The economic fabric of the Canton of Vaud relies on its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — dynamic, locally rooted, and vital to regional innovation. Yet, when it comes to the ecological transition, these businesses face a growing paradox. They are expected to reduce their footprint, increase efficiency, and adopt sustainable technologies — but lack the time, expertise, and connections to identify the right solutions.
At the same time, ClimateTech startups — from Switzerland and abroad — are developing technologies capable of transforming industrial processes, energy management, and supply chains. What they often lack are testing grounds, local partners, and real market access.
This disconnect slows down innovation adoption, weakens the competitiveness of local enterprises, and risks delaying the canton’s environmental objectives. What is needed is a structured, human-centered bridge — one that transforms awareness into collaboration and collaboration into measurable impact.
engaged in the pilot edition
HackSME Day, organized in Lausanne in partnership with the HackSummit, is designed precisely to fill this gap. It is both an event and a platform — a system for accelerating the adoption of sustainable innovations by connecting Vaud-based SMEs with international ClimateTech startups ready to deploy their solutions.
The approach unfolds in three complementary steps.
First, a phase of preparation and listening, during which SMEs identify their key sustainability challenges. Then, the HackSME Day itself — a focused matchmaking event combining curated startup pitches, one-on-one meetings, and thematic sessions dedicated to actionable outcomes. Finally, the Hack Database, a digital resource accessible all year long, offering companies continuous access to a qualified selection of ClimateTech solutions sourced from the global Hack ecosystem.
Behind the scenes, the project is driven by a team with strong international experience in sustainable innovation. The goal is simple: to turn intention into action, and to make collaboration between established companies and innovators the new norm rather than the exception.
“The goal is not just to talk about sustainable innovation — it’s to make collaboration happen, here and now.”
HackSME Day is more than an event — it is the starting point of a movement to integrate ClimateTech into the heart of the regional economy. By lowering the barriers for SMEs and providing structured, high-quality connections with innovators, the initiative transforms sustainability into an opportunity for growth, competitiveness, and collaboration.
In the long term, the project envisions a permanent matchmaking infrastructure, allowing local companies to explore solutions year-round and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. The resulting collaborations will contribute to a measurable reduction of carbon emissions and resource use, while strengthening Vaud’s reputation as a European hub for applied ClimateTech.
By bringing together people, ideas, and technologies, HackSME Day offers a clear message: the ecological transition will not be achieved by large corporations alone — it depends on empowering the SMEs that form the backbone of our economy.
