Start-up investments on course for a record

The economic upswing and rising share prices have led to a boom in start-up investment in Switzerland, with companies generating more than CHF 1.7 billion in 124 financing rounds. The amount invested is almost CHF 1 billion higher than in the same period last year and the growth rate is more than 130%. Even compared with the previous record – achieved in the first half of 2019 – this equals growth of almost 50%. In terms of the number of financing rounds, growth is more even, but the long-term trend is no less impressive: the number has practically doubled in only four years.

Fintech companies are among the drivers of growth. The largest round of almost CHF 600 million was concluded by wefox, a digital insurance company. The number of financing rounds in this sector rose by more than 130% from 11 to 26 compared with 2020. Young biotech companies also increased their invested capital significantly – from almost CHF 230 million to more than CHF 414 million.

One reason for the boom is the lucrative exit opportunities due to the wide open stock market window. Six Swiss start-ups went public in the first half of the year, with five biotech companies alone listing on the US technology exchange Nasdaq.

The Swiss Capital Report – Update H1 2021 can be downloaded from our “Assets” section”.

(SK)