Faces of sustainability

Dear reader

The weather used to be of existential importance only to farmers. This has changed. Not only because of the increase in extreme events, but also due to the increasing use of sun, wind and water for energy generation. Two Swiss start-ups that focus on the field of weather forecasting announced financing rounds this week. St. Gallen-based Meteomatics attracted the venture arm of global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin as an investor. Meteomatics already has more than 130 employees and more than 450 customers. The new funds will be used to expand into other industries and markets.

Schwyz-based start-up Jua uses artificial intelligence to make weather prediction more precise. The 20-strong team led by serial entrepreneur Andreas Brenner has already been able to validate its ‘large physics model’ with several extreme events. Jua has now secured USD 16 million from an international consortium of well-known investors.

MeduSoil operates in a completely different field, but it is also about sustainability. It specialises in the development of biomineral-based binder products used in the construction materials sector, challenging the conventional reliance on chemical synthesis or mined raw materials. The start-up has raised a good CHF 5 million, allowing it to expand production and sales operations.

Ecospeed is a pioneer in software solutions and services for recording and calculating carbon footprints. Demand is currently so high that the team, which had previously focused mainly on organic growth, has now brought investors on board in order to be able to meet demand.

Other sustainable start-ups have secured money via crowdfunding, received Tech Seed loans from the Foundation for Technological Innovation, or caused a stir with their traction. Aeler has a presence in more than 30 countries with its innovative freight containers and has been able to attract partners such as Procter & Gamble. These successes shows that momentum in the sustainability sector remains high and that Swiss start-ups from a wide range of fields are in a position to take advantage.

More experienced management teams is one reason why Swiss start-ups are developing more traction today. This week we published two articles on personnel changes at four and six start-ups. What is striking is that many of the new C-level employees have already gained experience in other start-ups.

A number of important application deadlines expire at the end of February; e.g. for Venture Leaders Biotech, MassChallenge Switzerland, >>venture>> and the ESA BIC programme. You can still apply for the Bluelion accelerator and *zünder programmes.

I would also like to draw your attention to the Start Summit, which will take place in St. Gallen at the end of March. Our article provides an overview of the innovations and the various deadlines for the start-up booths and awards.

Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch