Dreaming allowed

Dear reader

Many people on the Swiss start-up scene share the impression that a lot is moving in the right direction. However, it is not easy to say in specific terms how the situation at the end of 2017 will differ from that of the end of 2016 or 2015. One thing that strikes me is that founders’ ambitions have grown and the start-up momentum has increased.

For example, F Ective was able to attract well-known large companies, including PwC, just after the launch of its talent matchmaking platform. And fintech start-up Crypto Finance is now aiming for a banking license after a financing round of CHF16 million. The smart grid company Depsys reports not only success in Switzerland, but also in Ireland and Singapore.

In addition to greater ambition, a self-reinforcing effect is one of the reasons behind this encouraging development. Former start-ups that have since become SMEs, such as Sherpany, are working with new start-ups, such as Futurae. And serial entrepreneurs like Jean-Paul Clozel show how quickly a second company can be built. In addition, support organisations are also developing: Venture Kick, which awarded Skypull and RetinAI this week, will provide more money next year for start-ups in the seed phase at CHF 3.2 million.

As the activities of start-ups and supporters increase, we also published more news this year, with about 1,500 articles. However, the number of users of startupticker has increased even further – by almost 30%. More than a third of readers come from abroad, and so we now act as an international showcase for Swiss start-ups.

We are already in the middle of preparations for the next Swiss Venture Capital Report, which will be published jointly with Seca. The analysis of investment in Swiss start-ups will be presented on 30 January in Zurich and 31 January in Lausanne, where the event will be organised together with Innovaud.

The quieter time around Christmas and New Year is a great opportunity to apply for the various awards. Registrations are open until Sunday for the Global Student Entrepreneur Award, and until 8 January for the WA de Vigier Foundation awards. Applications are also open for the PERL prize, Startfeld Diamant, the Climate-KIC accelerator programme and the Swiss Economic Award. An overview can be found in our awards list.

Next week, we will be providing you with news from Wednesday to Friday. The next newsletter will appear on 5 January.

Happy Christmas and all the best for 2018.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, startupticker.ch