Partnerships with impact

Dear reader

We receive a lot of information about partnerships every week. However, more often than one might think, the purpose and goal of these partnerships is not always clear. For this reason, we report only on collaborations for that are relevant to the start-up and which often have already achieved success. Construction technology group Hilti and ETH Zurich spin-off Battrion are a good example of such a collaboration. They have developed an improved lithium-ion battery that delivers more power, generates less heat and charges faster. The advances over commercially available battery cells are documented with impressive numbers.

Swisscom and Futurae have already had some success. They teamed up for the Swisscom Mobile ID app and have already found customers for the new solution, including canton Neuchâtel. At Lausanne company GenLots, an existing customer ordered a machine learning-based tool to optimise warehousing in the corona crisis. This development is now being offered to other customers. Several pilot projects are also underway, including with Merck.

Although collaborations with start-ups are no longer unusual for large companies, SMEs are still reluctant. This week, however, we were able to report on a successful partnership between start-up Koa and traditional chocolate manufacturer Felchlin in canton Schwyz. They have developed a couverture that is unique worldwide and which has already been processed into truffles by Confiserie Sprüngli.

The partnership between challenger bank neon and London-based showcase fintech TransferWise is also noteworthy. Incidentally, not only Swiss start-ups are able to build international partnerships. Wingman led the financing round for regtech start-up Certifaction this week: the consortium, which has invested CHF 1.1 million, includes companies from London and Berlin.

The number of financing rounds remains high and we reported on six this week. But as can be expected given the still uncertain conditions, bridging rounds are now also being carried out; for example, by Signifikant, a start-up that makes the impact of advertising campaigns measurable.

Speaking of financing rounds, we talked to Marc Maurer, COO at On and board member at the Swiss Entrepreneurs and Startup Association SWESA about employee stock option plans. He describes his experiences and presents the demands by the association.

The 10 winners of the Venture Leaders China programme were announced this week and they range widely from agritech to cleantech to medtech. The deadline for Venture Leaders Fintech is getting closer, applications are open until 15 July. The winners will travel to Hong Kong.

Don’t forget the deadline for public voting for the Top 100 Swiss Startup Award – it’s open until 12 July.

Have a sunny weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch