MassChallenge, the US-based startup accelerator backed by partners including food and flavouring product manufacturers Nestlé, Givaudan and Bühler, has expanded into Europe with the launch of a Switzerland-based program.

Building on experience across Boston, the UK, Israel and Mexico, MassChallenge is inviting startups from Switzerland, across Europe and the rest of the world to enter the competition, with applications set to close on March 31.

MassChallenge expects to accept around 50 to 100 early-stage startups from any industry, anywhere in the world, and will provide up to CHF1m ($1m) in funding awards to startups.

Successful applicants will have access to free office space and a prototyping laboratory at UniverCité in Renens, as well as mentoring and a global network of high-level corporate and governmental connections.

To date, 835 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $1.1bn and created over 6,500 jobs, according to the accelerator.

In addition to the corporates, MassChallenge Switzerland’s partners also include Inartis Foundation and Swiss Economic Forum.