Loan guarantees for five startups

As a political instrument of the Swiss government’s climate strategy, Technology Fund issues, Technology Fund issues loan guarantees to banks and other lenders. The financial support enables startups to secure desired capital to facilitate the development of technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote the efficient use of electrical and renewable energy, and conserve natural resources. The interest from startups has continued to grow as more startups apply for loan guarantees. The Technology Fund has so far issued CHF 188 million to 110 innovative Swiss companies, of which 54% reduce carbon emissions directly and 46% indirectly. Two portfolio companies were acquired: Aeris Cleantec AG by iRobot and Ominsens by Prysmian Group.

“Currently, demand for smart climate-tech innovations is at an all-time high, based on investors and corporations as well as private consumers seeking sustainable solutions. Swiss startups need to focus on scalability and show ambitions to go global to be attractive for large investors. Loan guarantees from the Technology Fund can be combined with private capital to finance the necessary growth,” says Simone Riedel, Head of Technologiefonds Emerald Technology Ventures.

With a total of CHF 350 million available to grant as loan guarantees, Technology Fund continues to grow its portfolio. Since July this year, it has added five new companies. These are:

Aliunid AG – the cleantech startup works with real-time data to record, optimise and control energy flows. The goal is a flexible “breathing supply system” from the electricity meter to the transformer to the pumped storage power plant. Together with Aliunuid, Energy suppliers can offer their end customers real-time solutions that save electricity, improve the carbon footprint and increase security and convenience. On the other hand, distribution network operators can increase the stability and efficiency of their network. The company today counts 25 companies in its network.

MaxWell Biosystems AG – founded as a spinoff from the ETH, MaxWell Biosystems provides high-content electrophysiology platforms that advance scientific discovery and accelerate drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. Its first product, MaxOne, is a high-density microelectrode (HD-MEA) system with thousands of tiny electrodes simultaneously sensing the small electrical signals of neuronal cells. Targeted at academic and research laboratories, the technology allows for investigating the activity of cells in vitro at network-, cellular and subcellular levels. MaxTwo is a multiwell HD-MEA platform designed to increase the throughput of performing cell-based assays to 6- and 24-well plates catering to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as contract research organisations.

KITRO AG – focusing on reducing food waste, KITRO developed an automated food waste measurement system to enable restaurants and hotels to identify, track and monitor the amount of food landing in the trashcans. The system comprises a weighing scale and a device that fits onto existing trashcans to automatically measure and track the amount of food tossed into them. A personalised analytics dashboard empowers users to make informed decisions, set goals, and optimise work practices to reduce food waste, food cost, and environmental impact.

FGen AG – developed NanoLiter Reactor sequencing, a quick and cost-effective method to develop microbial strains. The technology allows for the phenotypic analysis of cell libraries at rates of more than 1 million clones per day. The platform has proven its effectiveness in the analysis of large libraries of various cell types for the development of different products and applications. As a contract research organisation, the Based based company collaborates with partners from Biotech, Life Sciences, Agribusiness, and Pharma to develop microbes, cells, chemicals, and proteins for various applications.

Sport Components AG (milkIT) – developed the milKit system, a smart bikes solution that makes the lives of mountain bikers, cyclists and other athletes easier by revolutionising the installation and maintenance of tubeless bicycle tires. The company has already sold over 100’000 products into 25 countries through our distribution network.

Webinar open for registration
Technology Fund invites potential startups and SMEs to its upcoming webinar on 20 January 2022. The event will host guest speakers from the Luzerner Kantonal Bank (LUKB) and its portfolio company ‘Basis 57 nachhaltige Wassernutzung AG’. Registration is open.

(RAN)