October 17, 2014
Strong start-ups – Switzerland is catching up
Dear reader
If Abionic launches its product as planned in 2015, the Swiss start-up will be the first company in the world to bring a comprehensive system of allergy rapid tests on to the market. Abionic moved one step closer this week to implementation of the plan when it secured CHF 3.8 million in a financing round.
Abionic is also attracting an international audience. At the congress of European allergy specialists in Copenhagen in June, hundreds of specialists visited the company’s booth and tried the test themselves.
The interest in Abionic is not an isolated case. At HRM Expo, the largest European trade fair for personnel management, which took place in Cologne this week, social recruitment start-up Recomy won the HR Innovation Slam. The competition recognises the most innovative product, business plan or research project of the year for personnel management.
Although some start-ups are attracting much attention, overall Switzerland as a start-up location still lags behind. At a meeting of SECA, discussion revolved around the missing factor that would bring the location to the forefront in international comparisons. The supply of venture capital plays a role and the proposed Future Fund provides some optimism in this area. Another area is not so easy to manufacture: contact with potential business partners and mentors.
That can be remedied by high-profile events. You have until Sunday to register for CEO Day next week. The number of participants now stands at more than 570, the same level as last year despite the new registration fee.
Mobicamp, on 6 November, offers other good networking opportunities and input from international speakers on topics such as the Internet of Things, automotive, mHealth, mobile payments and wearable computing.
The Swiss ICT Awards provides another very good networking opportunity. Participation is by invitation only and thanks to our partnership with Swiss ICT, we have received an allocation of tickets for start-ups. If interested, apply to news@startupticker.ch.
Entrepreneurs in the life sciences will find the Biovalley Strategy Day on 23 October interesting. It concerns EU-funded research, which for Swiss start-ups is now more difficult to obtain since the vote on the mass immigration initiative.
I would also like to recommend Startup Weekend in St. Gallen, Basel and Neuchâtel, from 24 to 26 October. An ideal opportunity to test business ideas, further development and, not least, find a co-founder.
Have a sunny weekend.
Stefan Kyora
Managing Editor, startupticker.ch