Multi-Million Euro support for a folding solar roof and a secure collaboration suite

The SME Instrument is part of the European Innovation Council (EIC). The program was developed to provide funding to innovative startups that shape new markets and generate jobs, growth and higher standards of living. In phase II of the SME instrument, selected startups receive up to €2.5 million to finance their innovation activities including demonstration, testing, piloting and scaling up. In addition, companies the companies will receive free coaching.

The following Swiss startups are in the current phase II:

Proton technologies, offering secure communication channels for consumers and businesses. The company offers ProtonMail, an encrypted email service to over 7 million users. Next plans for the startup include expanding the solution and commercializing ProtonSuite, a complete and secure collaboration suite for businesses of all sizes. The aim is to offer secure cloud storage and productivity tools, along with implementing a revolutionary encryption key management system based on blockchain technology. The project is supported with €1.9 million by the EU Instrument. The total budget of € 2.7m will enable Proton to develop custom libraries, clients and APIs to support the advanced collaboration features, and expand its current data-centers. The project aims to generate yearly revenues from €5 million to €50 million by 2024, reaching a ROI of 4.13 and creating over 60 jobs.

DHP technology
Founded in the canton of Graubünden, DHP technology developed HORIZON, a retractable folding solar roof that allows for double usage of industrial areas for solar power production, thanks to its unique lightweight construction and folding mechanism. The folding roof automatically avoids poor weather and retracts itself into a central garage, in an aesthetic, lightweight and economical manner. 

The two main applications of the folding solar roof are parking-logistics areas and wastewater treatment plants. The customers include municipalities, energy providers or land operators. In the phase II of SME instrument, DHP's project has a budget of over € 3.5 million to further develop Horizon. The SME insdtrument support the project with €2.5 million. Through the market entry in seven EU markets, the HORIZON project plans to reach in year 2025 revenues of €55’7M, and profit of €9’7M, generating renewable 80 MWp in 157 WTPs.

(RAN)