May 27, 2016
US corporates go for Swiss start-ups
Dear reader
IT services and consulting firm CSC has been one of the largest US corporations for more than 20 years and belongs to the Fortune 500. This week called CSC took over consulting company Aspediens, founded in 2008.
Greatbatch Medical, one of the largest medical device outsource manufacturers in the world, has entered into a strategic partnership with Aleva Neurotherapeutics and is the lead investor in a $18 million financing round concluded by Aleva this week.
The US media has also taken up the Swiss start-up scene: Techcrunch reported on the keyboard app of Basel start-up icoaching and on Rovenso, and Tech Bulletin published an article on the top Swiss incubators.
These successes show the start-up scene certainly has potential. But the main weaknesses were brought to light this week in a study by EPFL on behalf of Swisscom and SIX: a missing start-up culture, a lack of funding for scaling of enterprises and an aversion to risk.
However, anyone at a grass-roots level has noted that the culture is slowly changing. Events such as the Innovation Night in Lausanne or the events of the Entrepreneurship Center at ZHAW are dominated by teams that provide a vibrant atmosphere with their drive and determination.
And the pace of development is quicker too. For example, Gamaya completed a financing round of CHF3 million this week, and CellSpring finalised a co-marketing agreement with Tecan only a few months after its official establishment.
Finally, mention of important competitions and support programmes: the deadline for the Zurich Climate Prize draws closer. Start-ups have more opportunities to win a prize and present to a distinguished audience.
Also the deadline approaches for venture leaders China. You can apply for the 10-day intensive entrepreneurship training programme in Shanghai and Beijing until 13 June.
Swissnex India’s Medtech & Healthcare Startup Tour India in September will give Swiss start-ups a deep insight into the Indian market. You can register now. Representatives of swissnex India will be in Switzerland in early June and will participate in Swiss Medtech Day in Bern on 7 June.
You can meet my colleague Eugène Schön next Tuesday at the ‘Meet the Supporters’ event organised by >> venture >>.
Have an eventful weekend.
Stefan Kyora
Managing Editor, startupticker.ch