The next edition of the annual Start Summit, Europe’s leading student-run startup conference, will occur on 23 and 24 March 2023 in St. Gallen. With the Motto “Reaching for Resilience”, this year’s event will bring various speakers on stage to share their insights and provide startups with a platform to showcase their solutions. The event will culminate with the presentation of the Start Summiteer Award, for which the deadline expires on 28 February 2023.

Alle Versuche, neues Eigenkapital einzusammeln, scheiterten. Vor zwei Jahren hatte evenito noch Geld für wenige Monate. Heute administrieren mehrere Kantonalbanken, AMAG, Swiss Life und 300 weitere Unternehmen ihre Veranstaltungen auf der SaaS-Plattform des 2016 gegründeten Scale-ups. Co-CEO Tobias Giger erzählt, wie die Wende gelang.

MindMaze, a global pioneer in AI-driven digital neurotherapeutics, has launched its proprietary medical device Izar in the US and Europe. Izar is a first-of-its-kind, FDA-listed and CE-marked smart peripheral for patients with impairment in hand motor function. Leading global centers in the US, UK and New Zealand are already using the device.

Impossible Matrials, Ascento and Floating Robotics will each receive CHF 150’000 from the Gebert Rüf Stiftung as part of the InnoBooster Program. The funds and support will enable the early-stage startups to advance their robotics and agritech solutions.

This article features the next group of startups that received the Innosuisse Certificate. The startups are developing digital health solutions and precision medicine platforms to enhance diagnostics and monitoring and to accelerate the transition to personalised medicine. 

Swiss semiconductor metrology company, UNISERS, identifies invisible contamination-caused defects in semiconductor materials. The startup has raised $14M in Seed funding led by Intel Capital to accelerate the time to market.

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded US$ 3.2 million to Solar MEAD, a joint project headed by CEMEX, Sandia National Laboratories, and Synhelion. The project aims to replace fossil fuels with concentrated solar thermal energy in clinker production, the key component in cement.

SICTIC and startup days have joined forces to launch ‘Collective’, an initiative aiming to bring support organizations and initiatives together to drive diversity in Switzerland. The platform has officially launched its website, presenting its member organizations and their initiatives.

Geneva based Terapet, a privately held Swiss Medtech company developing next generation imaging technology, is pleased to announce the new investment of CHF 2,3 million as the first closing of the Pre-Series A investment round. This funding supports the commercialization of Terapet’s first product, Qualγscan and the development of new nuclear imaging products.

Das ETH Zürich Spin-off AtlasVR hat eine Virtual-Reality-Plattform für die Schulung im Industriesektor entwickelt. Die anpassbaren und skalierbaren Lösungen haben bereits erste Referenzkunden überzeugt. Der Gewinn bei Venture Kick verleiht dem Markteintritt weiteren Schub.

The research collaboration between EraCal Therapeutics and Nestlé Health Science aims to identify novel nutraceuticals relevant to controlling food intake. The joint program combines Nestle’s unique nutraceutical resources with EraCal’s differentiated drug discovery platform. These synergies aim to provide a new paradigm for first-line nutraceuticals for people suffering from metabolic diseases.

Cleantech startup Metafuels has entered a long-term collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI to develop a new process for producing sustainable aviation fuel. The two will construct and operate the first pilot plant on the PSI campus to validate the technology and prepare it for large-scale commercial deployment.  

Das Schweizer Insurtech Wefox hat in den letzten Wochen mit Entlassungen von sich reden gemacht. Zudem erschienen kritische Medienberichte. Das deutsche Handelsblatt vermeldet nun aber den Zufluss von weiteren 50 Millionen Franken. Ein Blick in das Schweizerische Handelsregister bestätigt die Meldung.

The global pandemic had a mixed effect on entrepreneurship across the world, according to the 2022/2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Global Report: Adapting to a “New Normal” which was launched today at HEG-Fribourg. Switzerland is among the clear losers.

Der FE+MALE Think Tank setzt sich für mehr Unternehmerinnen in der Schweiz ein. Basierend auf einer Studie der Berner Fachhochschule (BFH) lanciert der Think Tank nun TIWI – The Inclusive Way Initiative. Die von der Standortförderung Kanton Bern unterstützte Initiative hat zum Ziel, die Rahmenbedingungen für Unternehmerinnen im Kanton Bern und in der Schweiz durch den Einbezug aller relevanten Akteure aus Politik, Wirtschaft und Bildung zu verbessern.

Our next series of Innosuisse-certified startups work on solutions enabling organisations to leverage data to enhance decision-making, communication and security. Artificial intelligence is at the core of their offerings.

Based in Basel, Ymmunobio is a preclinical startup specialising in the development of innovative treatments for cancer patients. The startup has secured ownership of neuronal pentraxin receptor (NPTXR) antibodies for treating several gastro-intestinal cancers from Nagoya University. This marks the company’s second in-licensed candidate.

Gaia Turbine is developing and will commercialize an innovative plug-and-play hydroelectric turbine that achieves more than 90% efficiency in wide range of working conditions, much better than the conventional turbines. The capital raised will be used to install a pilot turbine at a hydroelectric power plant in Ticino and start the commercialization efforts.

An expert jury for the venture leaders program Technology has chosen ten promising technology startups that will travel to Silicon Valley in April. The week-long roadshow will connect them with investors and industry experts, and attend various events to expand their network and make their presence known internationally. Meet the startups at the kickoff event on February 22.

Klarpay bietet Online-Unternehmen grenzübergreifende, skalierbare, massgeschneiderte Geschäftskonten und Zahlungslösungen. Am Ende des ersten Geschäftsjahres hatte das Unternehmen mehr als 120 Firmenkunden und erzielte einen substanziellen Jahresgewinn.

LegoChemBio has signed a license agreement with Elthera to develop and commercialise a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy using a monoclonal antibody developed by the Swiss start-up. The licensed asset is a monoclonal antibody with a target expressed in a variety of solid tumors. Elthera will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, milestone payments  and royalties on net product sales. 

The capital increase enables EthonAI to bring its no-code quality management platform to a broader market to help clients boost performance by detecting, monitoring, and preventing quality losses at scale. The ETH Zurich spinoff already serves some of Switzerland’s leading companies, including Siemens, Roche, Lindt & Sprüngli.

With the appointment of their new leaders, five startups offering solutions for the biotech, fintech, agriculture, and travel industries have acquired additional know-how to achieve their growth ambitions. The new executives are based in Switzerland, except for SEBA Bank’s APAC CEO, who is based in Asia, to oversee activities in the region.

Mirai Foods hat ein Rindsfilet im Bioreaktor hergestellt. Für die dabei eingesetzten Schlüsseltechnologien hat das Wädenswiler Startup drei Patente angemeldet. Zudem ist mit dem Zürcher Nahrungsmittel- und Fleischproduzenten Angst ein weiteres Branchenschwergewicht als Investor eingestiegen.

Taurus provides enterprise-grade solutions to issue, custody and trade any digital assets and has established itself as the #1 digital asset infrastructure provider for Tier 1 banks in Europe. The Series B led by Credit Suisse includes participation from three other major financial institutions, Deutsche Bank, Pictet Group and Arab Bank Switzerland, as well as stock-listed real-estate group Investis.

Since its founding in 2004, Gene Predictis has built a long track record in interpreting complex genetic data. The company has now joined the NIMGenetics family to accelerate its international expansion. The latter is a leading Spanish biotech company in human genetic diagnostics aiming to reinforce its presence outside of Spain.

Ajuna Network closed a private financing round led by CMCC Global, a leading investment firm in the blockchain space. Ajuna aims to demonstrate the potential for enhancing the gaming experience through the use of blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The Future of Health Grant programme to support innovation in digital healthcare has entered the next stage. The 7 new start-ups selected from among 96 applications will benefit from funding and know-how to help them accelerate solution development.

Die iPet.ch GmbH hat in den letzten Jahren den grössten von Tierärzten geführten Onlineshop für Tiernahrung und Zubehör in der Schweiz aufgebaut. Nun erwirbt eine Gruppe von Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmern sämtliche Stammanteile an der iPet GmbH. Der Wachstumskurs wird weitergeführt.

Nanoflex Robotics, the developer of a soft medical robotic system for treating neurovascular and vascular diseases, has raised USD 12 million. With Ascend Capital Partners leading the round, the funds will enable the startup to bring its first-generation system to market and accelerate the development of new neuro-interventional products. The funds will also drive the first-in-human trials and regulatory clearance.

Lausanne based Giotto.ai recently spun off its flagship product Giotto Compliance and sold it to RQM+. In parallel, the startup led by Aldo Podestà also raised an additional CHF 2.6 million in a new private equity round. The proceeds from these two transactions will finance the launch of new products leveraging its core technology and sustain its exponential growth. 

La Fondation pour l'innovation technologique (FIT) annonce aujourd’hui le lancement de FIT Impact, un programme destiné aux jeunes projets actifs dans l’entrepreneuriat à impact. Déployé en collaboration avec les Hautes Ecoles et Universités vaudoises, ce programme attribuera des bourses entre 10'000 et 20'000 CHF à des projets low-tech et durables, à fort impact social et environnemental.

The Swiss group of companies TrekkSoft AG is taking a stake in the Berlin-based company Giant Monkey GmbH. For the TrekkSoft Group, the strategic investment in Giant Monkey is the next logical step to reach museums throughout Europe in the future.

With around €1.500,000 investments received from new and follow-up investors, MPower has closed the first closing of its pre-series A round. The second fundraising campaign via the crowdfunding platform seedrs is also off to a good start. The total amount raised so far exceeds the company’s target goal.

The newly launched three-week ‘Bootcamp Future of Food’ will provide three Swiss FoodTech startups with the opportunity to explore the Brazilian market and get exposure to the country’s ecosystem. Besides workshops and meetings, the selected startups will get a pass to the ANU Food conference and the first Web Summit in Rio di Janeiro. Registration closes on 26 February.

B2B2C start-up ZenOwn aims to reinvent the post-purchase process for all stakeholders in the retail industry. The company is already working with 26 leading companies in Europe thanks to its high registration rates. In addition, ZenOwn has developed an innovative embedded insurance solution.

Beim Herrenanzug-Vermieter adretto sitzt es punkto Wachstum: Im dritten Jahr nach dem Start verzeichnen die Zuger über 1000 Neukunden, haben den Umsatz verdreifacht und sind nach Deutschland expandiert. Künftig setzt das Startup stark auf neue Technologien und die weitere Expansion im DACH-Raum.

Terra Quantum provides an end-to-end technology platform delivering real quantum advantage to its customers already today by bridging the gap between classical computing and quantum technology. The addition of Investcorp to Terra Quantum’s shareholder base underpins Terra Quantum’s ‘private-equity’-readiness.

Ten additional startups providing connectivity solutions with applications in various sectors, ranging from clean energy and genomics to machine vision and security have joined the Swiss team heading to Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress. They will represent Swiss innovation at the 4YFN startup event. The delegation is in conjunction with the Venture Leaders Mobile 2023 program.

The travel-tech start-up BODDY has entered into a binding merger agreement with the Danish company TrainAway. BODDY, founded in 2019 and based in Zurich, provides an easy way for travelers to digitally search, compare, book, pay and access their desired wellbeing experience in any given destination. Through the merger, BODDY’s footprint grows to over 30 countries across Europe, Asia and The Americas.

Two of NaviSwiss' products are currently being used in the United States. The Swiss medtech startup has obtained another green light from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market its new product Naviswiss Knee in the United States. The product will be rolled out later this year.

Lausanne-based Seed Biosciences has teamed up with Molecular Devices, LLC., a leading provider of high-performance life science solutions. Molecular Devices is now an exclusive commercial supplier of the award-winning DispenCell Single-Cell Dispenser – an automated laboratory instrument designed for fast, easy, and gentle single-cell isolation – in the United States and Asia. Due to the partnership the Swiss start-up expects to triple its revenue in key markets like North America and APAC. 

Das Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen UMushroom kombiniert Anlegerinformationen mit Social Media-Anwendungen. Nun lancieren Luba Schönig und Tonia Zimmermann ihre Plattform in mehreren europäischen Ländern.

2021 brachte Sleepiz ein Gerät auf den Markt, welches Schlafscreening massiv vereinfacht. Nun hat das ETH Spin-off das Tochterunternehmen Aurora Telemed gegründet, eine telemedizinische Arztpraxis für die Behandlung von Patienten mit Schlafapnoe.

Vom Garagenprojekt zum eigenen Startup: Die beiden mimodo-Gründer haben ihre unternehmerische Ader im Jugendalter entdeckt und in der Zwischenzeit alterstechnisch die 20er-Marke überschritten. Auch die 200er-Marke knacken sie bald: In acht Ländern ist ihr Kindermöbel in knapp zweihundert Läden erhältlich.

RocketVax AG has successfully completed a significant third round of financing led by the Wietlisbach Foundation, which acquired 9 percent of the shares of RocketVax. The additional funding will be used primarily for the further development of a second-generation vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Amag-Tochter Noviv Mobility wird Verkaufs-, Betriebs- und Servicepartnerin von LOXO. Das Berner Startup hat seinen autonomen Warentransporter im Dezember präsentiert. Der erste selbstfahrende Lieferdienst der Schweiz wird nun gemeinsam von Schindler und Migros im Raum Luzern getestet. - Update 8. Februar

Derzeit verfügt die Gründerorganisation grow über 5'350 m2 an vier Standorten. Noch im Frühling kommen weitere 3500m2 in Horgen Oberdorf hinzu. Die nächsten Ausbauschritte werden dieses und das kommende Jahr in Horgen und Wädenswil erfolgen.

Due to the global economic crisis and "unforeseen challenges", software startup Mila AG closed down the business. This announcement comes half a year after the Zurich startup raised $2 million from Swiss, US and German investors.