Biotech sector is the role model

Dear reader

Pfizer has put USD 340 million on the table for Swiss biotech start-up Therachon, and if certain milestones are achieved it may reach to more than USD 800 million. Such success shows the strength of the Swiss biotech sector.

For an overview of the economic significance, we recommend the Swiss Biotech Report, which was presented this week at Swiss Biotech Day. The most important result was that the sector has increased its turnover, the number of jobs, and the investment in research and development. This has not gone unnoticed abroad: an analysis by the renowned scientific journal Nature Biotechnology shows just how strong Switzerland is in international comparison.

Successes such as Therachon’s have many prerequisites, including growth capital. And here there is a lot of catching up to do, in particular outside the biotech sector. E-bike rental company smide has therefore established a US parent company and brought two experienced people from the US on board. As a result, it has been able to raise CHF 20 million for expansion in Switzerland. CEO Raoul Stöckle explains in our article why smide will remain a Swiss start-up.

In this context, it’s good news that under the umbrella of Waypoint Capital – the business enterprise for investments associated with the Bertarelli family – a new fund called Forestay has emerged to help tech companies grow. On our visit to Geneva, we asked how the plans would evolve.

We also talked to Pierre-Alain Masson, co-founder of Seedstars, and Gregory Grin, managing director of Fri Up, about the achievements so far and their organisations’ new plans. At Seedstars, this includes a USD 100 million fund for start-ups in emerging countries, and at Fri Up a comprehensive expansion of its support offering.

Innosuisse wanted to know exactly the impact of its activities, so the federal innovation agency commissioned three external studies. They were released this week and the conclusion is that companies and start-ups regard Innosuisse’s activities as very useful overall.

The business angel community SICTIC has also prepared a comprehensive report: it shows that the 250 members have invested in 70 start-ups, which together have created 1,000 jobs.

Startup DAY 2019 is practically on us. It takes place in the Kursaal Bern on 28 May, and more than 500 participants have already registered. The event itself will feature 40 investors, corporates and supporters and 11 accelerator programmes, with many other support organisations at the booths and 100 start-ups competing against each other in the pitching battle.

Do not miss the deadline for the Swisscom Startup Challenge on 19 May. Start-ups can win a tailor-made business development trip to Silicon Valley. The application deadline for this year’s Kickstart Accelerator closes on 17 May.

Have a good weekend
Stefan kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch