Two new VCs are starting up in Switzerland and the number of exits is also growing again. Perhaps the uncertainty in the start-up scene has been overcome to some extent.
Dear reader
If you follow the international tech scene, you will have probably noticed some alarmist articles in recent months. Last week, however, there was good news. The reason is that investors continue to raise capital successfully and many new VCs are being launched – and this trend can also be found in Switzerland. This week we reported on the launch of QBIT Capital, which positions itself as an institutional-like angel investor. It invests and operates alongside angel investors and early stage VCs in Swiss start-ups. And new biotech VC Forty51 announced the first closing of its first fund – the Basel-based company raised USD 43 million.
Both QBIT and Forty51 have already invested in a Swiss start-up. Other new investors such as TNF Capital and Avanteca Partners can be found in our Investor Directory. The investors are listed there only after they, or a start-up, have publicised an investment by the fund.
Three acquisitions of Swiss start-ups were also noticeable this week. Well-known femtech company Ava was taken over by a Texas company. Fintech pioneer New Access went to FNZ, a global company headquartered in London and Swiss QualiQuest was sold to consultancy firm Think Beyond. In total, seven takeovers have already taken place in July; in May and June, there were only three each. Hopefully, these are the first steps back to normality.
Two companies that have developed clever software to solve very different problems received awards this week. Cleantech start-up viboo is developing a unique self-learning predictive control for smart thermostats that will help to save energy in buildings; it has now received CHF 150,000 from venture kick. Decentriq was named Startup of the Year by Microsoft: its platform enables companies to collaborate with external partners on sensitive datasets without the raw data being accessible, enabling trust and privacy.
Looking ahead, start-ups from the life sciences and digital health sectors can apply for the Swiss-Israel Lean Launchpad programme until 25 July. The application period for the i4Challenge for Industry 4.0 start-ups ends on 31 July.
Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora
Editor in Chief Startupticker.ch
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