On Thursday, May 21, the Social Business Conference 2026 (SBC 2026) will take place at the premises of Area 302, the flagship event of Social Business Earth (SBE) and the Social Business Innovation Lab (SBI-LAB), organized annually with the support of Area 302 and Axion Swiss Bank, the catering partners Tenuta Castello di Morcote and New Roots, and under the patronage of the City of Lugano. The theme of the 2026 edition will be: “Unlocking Potential, Transforming Lives – Individual growth and pathways to employment.” The conference will run from 14:00 to 18:00 and will be followed by an aperitif featuring sustainable plant-based products.
A unique event in Ticino for startups and social enterprises
SBC 2026 is dedicated to startups with a high positive impact and social enterprises, offering them visibility and support. Among the highlights is the awarding of the Sapiens Natura Prize, which rewards the most deserving initiatives with tailored pro bono consultancy and a small financial contribution. The event, unique of its kind in Ticino, brings together national and international stakeholders to strengthen the ecosystem of sustainable development and social entrepreneurship.
The conference fosters the exchange of know-how and the implementation of concrete entrepreneurial projects to address social and environmental challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The projects selected by SBI-LAB will present their ventures through a pitch to potential investors and key stakeholders. This year, all participating entities share the goal of supporting young people and disadvantaged individuals in their educational journeys and access to the labour market, promoting autonomy and skills development.
Programme and key moments
The opening will be led by Samantha Caccamo, Founder and CEO of SBE, and Massimiliano Sassoli de Bianchi, President of Area 302, who will illustrate how SBC 2026 represents an annual opportunity to strengthen the local social business ecosystem by supporting sustainable entrepreneurial initiatives for the benefit of people and the environment.
This will be followed by a keynote address from a prominent speaker in social entrepreneurship, after which the five selected social impact initiatives will present their projects. The conference will thus offer an opportunity for dialogue between Swiss and international experiences, creating connections among social entrepreneurs, investors, foundations, and companies. SBC 2026 is not only an opportunity to listen, but also a participatory space to expand one’s network and gain inspiration to foster the growth of one’s social enterprise.
The day will conclude with the awarding of the Sapiens Natura Prize, in support of innovative social businesses. All participating initiatives will receive mentoring sessions and pro bono consultancy from experts affiliated with SBE.
At the end of the conference, a networking apero with plant-based catering is planned. SBC 2026 will be held primarily in English with interactions in Italian; details on tickets and the programme are available at the following link.