Cleantech start-ups win prizes beyond Switzerland

Based in Rapperswil-Jona, Moost is a Swiss Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company offering data to Smart Home companies. Its software transforms data from buildings into personalised notifications for saving energy. As part of the ABB Electrification Startup Challenge in Smart Buildings, Moost has won a collaboration project worth USD 30’000 to develop an MVP that can be productised and offered to ABB customers. In its 3rd round, the award attracted over 100 applications from 34 countries for the three categories – Smart Buildings, Smart Power and Distribution Solutions.

Aeler - XTC Swiss award
Three start-ups made it to the first edition of the Extreme Tech Challenge Switzerland leading them to the global competition. Aeler was crowned a global winner in the category of mobility. The Lausanne based start-up develops smart shipping containers that drastically reduce operational costs and CO2 emissions by 20%. Last year, the start-up unveiled its first next-generation and certified smart container to customers.

Mobbot – Swisscom IOT Climate Award
The Swisscom IoT Climate Award recognises the outstanding achievements of companies and their contribution to climate protection. Mobbot contributes to this climate ambition with its breakthrough technology to print concrete. The start-up’s technology is poised to profoundly change the urban underground construction industry and drastically improve productivity at construction sites for new electricity, telecom, and water lines. Mobbot’s automated robotic arm can print up to 1.5 tons of concrete into tailor-made elements in 15 minutes. The start-up has already delivered concrete chambers with non-standard designs up to 30 times faster and 40% cheaper while reducing material waste and CO2 emissions up to 30%. The technology works with standard concrete mixes and is compatible with existing construction and building codes. Construction companies and municipalities benefit immensely from the solution by significantly reducing time and saving costs.

Rrreefs – RESPOND Accelerator
Zurich-based Rrreefs is among the start-ups selected for the 3rd edition of the RESPOND accelerator. The Swiss start-up repairs damaged coral reefs with reef modules made from new 3D printing technology. Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse areas in the world. Swiss start-up Rrreefs is helping to regenerate weakened coral reefs. Using an innovative 3D printing process, structural elements for the reforestation and regeneration of coral reefs are created and introduced into the marine ecosystem at strategic locations. The six-month program begins this year, with the first sprint on May 30. After four sprint phases with coaching and mentoring and direct access to the global BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network, the start-ups will present themselves at the Demo Day.

Synhelion - Aerosuisse Award 2022
Each year, Aerosuisse recognises outstanding contributions to the Swiss aerospace industry. Synhelion’s solar fuel technology enabling net-zero aviation won the 2022 prize. With its Sun-to-Liquid technology, the start-up converts concentrated solar heat into the hottest existing process heat on the market. The unique procedure uses concentrated solar heat to manufacture syngas, which can then be synthesised into kerosene using standard industrial processes such as fuel production and cement manufacturing.

Enerdrape - Prix Start-Up Durable
EPFL start-up Enerdrape designed the world’s first underground thermal panels that exploit the natural heat of car parks, tunnels and cellars and transform them into renewable energy sources for the heating and cooling needs of buildings. This solution can provide up to 60% of a building’s heat. The Prix Start-Up Durable 2022 award, organised by “Le Temps”, recognised Enerdrape for its innovative idea awarding its media coverage as part of the prize.

(RAN)