Turning Research into Real-World Solutions.

CoLab bridges the gap between research and business. PhD students collaborate with experts to translate deep-tech research into practical applications. PhD applications for the 2026 edition are open again; student applications are expected around September-October 2026.

View CoLab 2026

PhDs & Postdocs

Applications open

Apply now with your research-driven challenge for CoLab 2026.

Apply now

Students

Applications soon

Student applications are expected around September-October 2026.

Get updates

How it works

Clear path from research to venture.

1
Now
Apply with research
PhD and postdoc applications are open for the current 2026 edition.
2
Sep-Oct 2026
Student teams form
Student applications are expected around September-October; updates are already open.
3
Oct-Dec 2026
Build and pitch
Kickoff is on October 30, followed by workshops and the final pitching competition on December 7.

Programme events take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the late afternoon or early evening. Teams are also welcome to meet independently in a flexible format whenever works best for them.

Founder Story

From cloud physics to RepliClouds

Mayur Sapkal on turning ETH research into a scientific hardware venture, and where CoLab helped make the route from lab insight to deployment more concrete.

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Discover CoLab

Community, Content, Competition

From idea-sharing meetups to behind-the-scenes stories and the flagship CoLab Programme, every track is designed to spotlight entrepreneurial research and the people behind it.