March 31, 2017
More supporters than start-ups?
Dear reader
The Swiss start-up scene is evolving and this is happening nationwide. In our interview, Alcide Barberis, head of Ticino incubator CP Startup and the support organisation AGIRE, gives an insight into the young entrepreneur scene in the canton. We asked, however, whether the number of support offers would not exceed the number of start-ups. But the answer is a clear no. In the last year alone, more than 60 company founders applied to CP Startup – only the top 20% were accepted.
What applies to Ticino is also true of the rest of Switzerland. Yes, there is a varied promotional landscape, but Swiss start-ups are very diverse. Biotech and IT companies from all regions reported successes this week. Biotech company Numab has entered into a partnership with a Japanese pharmaceutical company, which may bring more than CHF250 million to the Swiss company. Versantis, a spin-off from ETH Zurich, has concluded a financing round with Swiss lead investor Redalpine.
Young internet company Eduwo, founded by four master’s graduates, has launched a platform for the evaluation of study courses. The first universities have already been acquired as partners. The Bern IT start-up Newsroom Communication has also acquired well-known clients – its storytelling software is used by Swiss Olympic.
And in Vaud, the Scale-up Vaud initiative shows that start-ups also create jobs. The 14 companies that carry the scale-up label employ 900 people.
The current winners of the venture kick finals are also quite different: IT security company futurae and Zippsafe, a manufacturer of innovative and safe wardrobes.
Those who want to experience the diversity of Swiss start-ups themselves will have ample opportunity in the coming week. In Zurich, the first redesigned Swiss Venture Day takes place on 5 April – more than 220 participants have already registered. Registration is open until Saturday night and one-to-one meetings can also be arranged. Discover the 22 companies presenting at Swiss Venture Day in our article.
The 18 start-ups that will pitch at the first SEF Campus Day were also made known this week. They were selected by a jury of experts, thus overcoming the first major hurdle of the Swiss Economic Awards. Those companies that make it to the final, and present themselves in front of 1,300 leading personalities in June at the Swiss Economic Forum, will be decided at SEF Campus Day.
Two very recommendable events are happening in Lausanne next week. On Monday, Virtual Switzerland, a new national thematic network supported by the CTI, will be launched at a virtual reality event. And the Seedstars Summit, the meeting of young entrepreneurs from all over the world, takes place on Thursday.
Finally, with reference to the second Call for Innovation from Swisscom, companies from the field of big data can apply until 9 April.
Have a sunny weekend.
Stefan Kyora
Editor in Chief, startupticker.ch