Just a normal, hectic week

Dear reader

I assume that the last week before the Christmas holidays has been hectic for you all. You are not alone: a lot has also been going on when it comes to financing. We reported on six financing rounds, as well as successful crowdfunding campaigns. Although biotech companies have repeatedly made headlines in recent weeks, the focus is now on fintech. Unique, which uses Generative AI in the financial sector, secured another CHF 5.6 million. Its co-pilot platform is already widely used and about 5,000 Pictet Group employees have now also started to use the solution.

Payrexx’s payment platform allows companies to offer their customers more than 200 payment methods with just a few clicks. The leading platform for SMEs with 50,000 customers is now being supported by INS Holding to the tune of about CHF 2.5 million. Centi is also about payments: the blockchain-based service enables efficient micropayment and gives people without an account access to financial services. Centi has now secured CHF 1.7 million.

Rulematch’s trading and clearing platform for digital assets, on the other hand, addresses only regulated financial institutions. BBVA in Switzerland and a Swiss cantonal bank were acquired as customers shortly after the launch, but even before that Rulematch was able to pull off a pre-Series A round of almost CHF 13 million.

There were also further transactions: beqom, Eventfrog and what. all acquired other companies and diagnostics company Proteomedix was sold to a US company. This is all proof that investors and start-ups have adjusted to the uncertain times; as in previous years, numerous transactions were finalised in the old year.

A number of funding programmes have also announced their winners: 28 companies have been selected for the next batch of Innosuisse Scale-up Coaching, the Fongit Innovation Fund is supporting four projects from the life sciences, and askEarth has secured CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick.

Finally, I draw your attention to the deadline for the WA de Vigier Foundation award on 5 January.

This is the last newsletter for 2023; the next one will appear on 5 January. As always, we will keep you up to date with the latest news on our website.

To everyone, a happy and relaxing festive break and all the best for 2024.
Stefan Kyora 

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch