Alumni Newsroom

The Glion Alumni Association Accelerator

We're excited to introduce the Glion Accelerator, a unique platform from the Glion Institute of Higher Education that propels innovative ideas into successful businesses. It offers a space where both current students and alumni have the chance to get expert guidance and pitch their entrepreneurial ideas to a panel of industry insiders.

Just like the thrill of "Shark Tank" or "Dragon's Den," aspiring entrepreneurs from Glion present their business plans to seasoned professionals who can help turn their visions into reality.

With the Glion Accelerator Pitch Battle on the horizon, on 11th January 2024, here are our six finalists who have distinguished themselves with their inventive business propositions:

  • One Hundred: João Gonçalves de Andrade's foray into the future of running gear, promising to enhance athletic performance with cutting-edge technology.
  • Total Distribution Group & Logistics SLR: Ioana (JoJo) Postelnicu aims to revolutionize the logistics field with innovative and efficient solutions.
  • FabstWines: Fabienne Stanitz introduces a modern twist to the wine industry, likely to appeal to connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
  • Fil Foods LTD: Ziyaad Massoud takes on the food market with a fresh approach that could redefine how we think about food and nutrition.
  • Versible: Shahab & Shahrzad Shafieehanjani offers creative, versatile solutions for today's multifaceted challenges.
  • VGDerma: Valentin Condemine Garnier's innovative take on skincare, blending science and wellness to advance skincare solutions.

The mentors for the Glion Accelerator, a group of distinguished individuals, serve a dual role as both evaluators and advisors. Their expertise is crucial in helping participants fine-tune their pitches to align with current market trends. This mentoring process is a key part of the preparation that all startups involved in the Accelerator are engaged in, leading up to the main event on the 11th of January 2024.

On this day, the jurors will take on the critical role of determining the most outstanding idea. Their task is not just to judge but also to highlight ventures with high potential and to support ideas that show significant promise. The experience and background of each juror are detailed here:

  1. Frédéric Picard brings his extensive background in luxury hospitality to the table as the Managing Director at Glion Institute of Higher Education. With a storied career in some of the world's most prestigious hotels and his own successful consultancy, he offers a global vision and a wealth of experience to the jury.
  2. Yves Luethi, the CIO of the Julen Group, carries a blend of optimism and entrepreneurial spirit. His expertise in real estate and his active role in venture capital and private equity investments make him an invaluable asset to the jury panel.
  3. Thomas Kanza, Managing Director and Investor at Spetses, combines his legal and business acumen, honed at top financial institutions and through his MBA in hospitality, to provide a sharp analytical perspective on each business proposition.
  4. Hugo Gonçalves Pereira, CEO of ReVentures and Partner at Shilling, comes with two decades of venture capital experience. His keen eye for successful startups and his track record in seed and early-stage investments make him adept at identifying and nurturing fledgling businesses.

Together, these jury members form the backbone of the Glion Accelerator, ensuring that the selection process not only identifies viable business ideas but also arms the next generation of entrepreneurs with the insights and guidance necessary for success.

Keep up with developments us on our social media for the latest updates as we count down to the Pitch Battle on January 11th. Witness the evolution of these entrepreneurs as they step into the spotlight, ready to shape the future of business. 


Click here to attend the event in person.


Click here if you would like to watch the event online.


« Back to News