Fuel for start-up growth

Dear reader

Planted Foods is one of those companies with a line-up of investors ready to inject capital in the company’s meatless meat revolution. The company has raised a further CHF 19 million in its pre-series B financing round, just five months after its Series A round closed.

Rocketvax is another ambitious start-up dedicated to the development of a Covid-19 vaccine that is stable enough to withstand ambient temperatures in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and south-east Asia. The secured CHF 7.2 million from its Seed A financing will fuel pre-clinical development of the solution.

Adaptyv Biosystems, an EPFL spin-off that develops a protein engineering platform, is picking up speed for its very early stage. The company has completed its pre-seed round, which included an investment from Y Combinator, the world’s leading accelerator based in California; the financing will help to advance its R&D activities. It is also among the three start-ups selected for a grant as part of EPFL’s Tech Launchpad. Eldico Scientific, Virtual i Technologies, emonitor, Sedimentum and Positrigo are also poised to bolster their growth and development using the proceeds from their financing rounds.

Besides funding, start-ups also need supporters and partners to help them reach new targets and navigate the myriad challenges they may encounter while growing their businesses. Our article highlights how Swiss start-ups employ their technology to support their new partners. Lyfegen has attracted two clients, including multinational corporation Johnson & Johnson, to help bring value-based healthcare to a broader audience. RetinAI has also grown with the support of Innosuisse coaches.

Sustainability focused companies Bcomp, which provides natural fibre composites, and Haelixa, which offers product traceability solutions based on DNA, are already reaping the benefits of their collaborations. Bcomp and the racing team McLaren have piloted the first Formula 1 natural fibre racing seat. Haelixa will mark and trace the entire stock of UPW, Hong Kong’s luxury and sustainable yarn manufacturer.

Acquisitions play a vital role in ensuring the development continuity of new innovations. After 13 years of providing curated data sets and discovery tools, Nebion has been acquired by New-York based Immunai. Biotech service provider evitria has gone to Stockholm-based Atlas Antibodies, and Lifestage Solutions’ digital trading platform for Spitex organisations and nursing homes has been taken over by healthcare provider Galenica.

The upcoming event will help you find new sources of fuel. The 10 Venture Leaders Medtech start-ups take to the stage next week – learn how to internationalise your start-up and the dos and don’ts of fundraising.

Applications are still open for this year’s Swiss Technology Award, Jungunternehmerpreis Graubünden and Solothurner Newcomer Preis, and the Sales Challenge programme.

Have a relaxing weekend.

Ritah Ayebare Nyakato
Duty Editor, Startupticker.ch