Fuel for lift-off

Dear reader

In 2009, Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher founded Climeworks. After nine years of hard work, they are now facing their big breakthrough. In the past 18 months, the ETH Zurich spin-off has built six plants that filter CO₂ directly from the air: now the scaling should follow. This has not left investors cold either: they are investing CHF 30 million in the company, which should be able to succeed on a global scale.

This week about CHF 60 million went to start-ups looking for market success, with CHF 14 million generated by Pristem, a start-up that has developed a robust and affordable digital X-ray system. The fresh funds will allow Pristem to set up large-scale production.

In addition, three other medtech start-ups received investor funding and can now make their products marketable. A good CHF 5 million went to Lunaphore: the company develops innovative and particularly rapid tests for cancer diagnosis. Proteomedix, which also received CHF 5 million, has launched a novel test for prostate cancer. And with the help of an investment of more than CHF 3 million, Hylomorph will bring its technology to reduce the body’s defences against implants to market maturity.

These were not the only important transactions involving Swiss start-ups. Chemical company Clariant has joined Haelixa as a strategic investor, and there was also an exit with Sentec acquiring Swisstom; both companies are active in non-invasive patient monitoring.

Climeworks, Lunaphore, Proteomedix, Swisstom and Haelixa have one thing in common: they have been among the top 100 start-ups in recent years. Next Wednesday, the Top 100 Startups of the Year 2018 will be presented. Of course, we will be there to report live from the event. And the top 100 are not just electrifying the general public. Before the awards ceremony, an Investor Summit will be held in which more than 100 investors from home and abroad will meet selected start-ups.

Startup DAYs will take place at the end of September. More than 500 people have already registered and gradually more keynote speakers will be announced. This week, it was confirmed that Peter Diamandis, founder of Singularity University and XPRIZE, will be one of the speakers. The deadline for the pitching competition has been extended to 9 September.

I would like to highlight our interview with Matthias Hölling from Technopark Zürich. On the occasion of the park’s 25th anniversary, we talk to him him about the recipe for success and plans for the future.

Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch