Hats off!

Dear reader

Last year was not an easy year for anyone. This makes the performance of Swiss start-ups all the more astonishing: they once again raised more than CHF 2 billion in investor money. The detailed evaluation of the total of 304 financing rounds can be found in Swiss Venture Capital Report, which, as every year, is published in cooperation with Seca. The report and our presentation of the most important results can be downloaded on startupticker along with the video of the entire launch event last Tuesday.

A noticeable trend in 2020 was the sharp increase in early stage investment. This seems to be persisting, and this week we reported on numerous early stage financing rounds. Microtech company Microcaps, food safety start-up SwissDeCode and Mirai Foods, which works on the production of real meat grown from animal stem cells, all generated investment.

Swiss deep-tech start-ups were successful not only in terms of financing: Aktiia has launched a breakthrough solution for continuous blood pressure measurement. With a wearable, a smartphone and special software, blood pressure can be measured with medical precision. Idun Technologies also works with sensors, software and wearables: the start-up, which aims to recognise human emotions, is now supported by Microsoft. And Astrocast launched its satellite-based IOT network after a SpaceX rocket put five more microsatellites into orbit.

Speaking of space, ESA-BIC Switzerland has added six new start-ups to its accelerator programme, and Venture Kick is supporting medtech start-up Neurosoft with CHF 150,000. Venture Kick also presented its annual report this week and it is worth reading not only because of the impressive impact the initiative has had, but also for the portraits and descriptions of numerous promising deeptech start-ups.

Other organisations have also not been stopped by corona restrictions. Business Angels Switzerland, supported by other players in the ecosystem, has developed a template for business angels that simplifies co-investment, particularly when a group of investors wants to participate with smaller amounts.

Finally, a note on the WA de Vigier Foundation’s Selection Day next Thursday. No fewer than 60 deeptech start-ups will present themselves, hoping to be selected for the top 16. The event will be transmitted on the foundation’s website.

Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch