A new cohort joins the Technology Fund portfolio

The Technology Fund promotes technologies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, efficient use of electrical energy, promotion of renewable energies and conservation of natural resources. Its portfolio currently includes 127 startups. Loan guarantees amounting to CHF 227 million give these companies access to attractive bank loans. The Fund currently has a total of CHF 350 million available to grant as loan guarantees.

The following five startups are supported by the Technology Fund

ecoRobotix
Thanks to its, solar-powered robot weeder that detects and destroys weeds either mechanically or by accurate herbicide dispensing, the startup enabled the reduction of chemical use by 95%, CO2 footprint, improving biodiversity and crop yields by up to 5%. The revolutionary plant-by-plant data solution and ultra-high precision crop treatment sprayer has won multiple awards and is now used by various markets, including Turkey, Spain, Denmark, Poland and nine additional markets. The loan guarantee will support product enhancements, scale manufacturing, and expand into new geographies.

Soobr 
The Bern-based startup was founded in 2020 to provide optimized and demand-driven planning, execution and control of cleaning tours based on data and artificial intelligence. Currently, soobr manages over 70 projects in 8 countries and manages 900 cleaning tours daily. Among its clients are leading facility managers such as Vebego or Honegger as well as real estate owners and tenants such as the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland among its customers. The funds will enable soobr to accelerate product development by improving the SaaS solution and expand sales for international markets.

Libattion AG
The 2018 founded startup plans automating its processes to support the  series production of its sustainable & effective Lithium Batteries. The obtained loan guarantee will enable this step. Libattion wants to improve the circular economy of used lithium batteries in vehicles by providing a new modular battery that allows for reducing up to 160 kg of CO2. The modular e-Bricks can be used, for example, to operate light electric vehicles or for energy storage systems. The Cloud Battery Platform offers customers precise data on battery health.

Neustark AG
The ETH spinoff is the first company to remove CO2 from the environment by permanently storing it in concrete. In 2020, Neustark commissioned its first mobile pilot plant, and tested numerous building material recyclers in Switzerland and Europe. Companies can also purchase CO2 certificates from the company. The loan guarantee will help to drive the company’s

Wegaw AG
Based in Morge, Wegaw offers a cost-effective solution that empowers hydropower companies with invaluable insights through which to further reduce runoff errors and, consequently, further reduce the errors in water inflow predictions, which would lead to greater sustainability opportunities and additional revenue generation per power plant annually. Technology Fund’s support will allow the startup to scale its R&D activities, and expand the team.  

(RAN)