Investors flock to deeptech

Dear reader

As in December every year, the final spurt for Swiss start-ups in terms of financing is impressive. And in keeping with the year to date, the sums invested are again slightly higher than before. Basel-based biotech company Anaveon, which is active in the field of immuno-oncology, has secured CHF 110 million. Almost CHF 70 million has gone to Kandou, enabling the ICT start-up to ramp up production of its first hardware product. Two further financing rounds in the double-digit million range have been concluded by ETH Zurich spin-offs Nanoleq and Embotech.

All four companies can justifiably be described as deeptech start-ups, and they confirm a trend that we were able to prove with data in the new edition of Swiss Startup Radar. Swiss deeptech start-ups no longer just have fascinating technology, they are also able to attract investors.

This is probably due in no small part to the diverse support available: this week, we reported on DeepJudge, another Venture Kick winner. Logmind secured a FIT Digital Growth Loan of CHF 200,000, the Fongit Innovation Fund supported three start-ups with a total of CHF 250,000, and our article on STIMIT explains how the start-up makes it easier for patients who have been artificially ventilated to return to normality. After completion of the coaching, STIMIT has now been awarded the Innosuisse certificate.

Covid patients will also benefit from drugs now under development by four young Swiss companies. They will receive federal support totalling CHF 27 million for the clinical phase.

No money, but a lot of expertise and valuable contacts for the winners of the traditional IMD Startup Competition. The names of the 37 start-ups selected this year were announced this week.

Preparations for the next Swiss Venture Capital Report, which will appear on 27 January, are underway – please report financing rounds to news@startupticker.ch by 22 December. And you can now pre-order a printed copy of the report in your Startupticker profile.

I would also like to point out the deadlines for the *zünder accelerator programme, on 31 December, and the award from the WA de Vigier Foundation, which is open to applications until 5 January. The foundation, which has been honouring founders for 32 years, awards up to CHF 600,000 in prize money.

Over the holiday period, we will provide you with news on our web platform as usual. The next newsletter will appear on 7 January.

Have a happy and peaceful Christmas and all the best for 2022.

Stefan Kyora
Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch