News from the Valley

Dear reader

Let’s be honest, the fascinating thing about Silicon Valley is not just the individual services and products, but the spirit that continually reinvents itself. Thus, the Valley is still a land of dreams for many Swiss start-ups. Startupticker editor-in-chief Stefan Kyora spent a week there in the company of a group of five start-ups. Read what struck him and how it went for the founders.

At home, in addition to Digital Day, the continuing drought was the focus of interest. Coincidence or not, this week there was news from six projects that revolve around ecology and sustainability. Zurich-based Twingtech presented its flying wind power plant in the Jura; Share your BICAR agreed pilot projects with three Swiss cities; Umami’s microgreens, grown in a former bank vault, are now included in Migros’ product range; Vaud-based ecoRobotix won the first economic environmental prize; Swiss Impact Hubs announced the establishment of a circular economy incubator; and the first International Urban Innovation Hackathon will take place in Zurich at the end of November – it’s looking for solutions for a smart and sustainable city.

Only one round of financing took place this week, but it had it all: renowned international investors provide Coople, formerly Staff Finder, with USD 21 million in growth capital. Sy&Se, a start-up from La-Chaux-de-Fonds, won Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise’s Innovation Prize and will receive CHF 300,000. And, finally, Business Angels Switzerland (BAS) announced a change of president: Carole Ackermann has left after eight years and is replaced by Adrienne Perramond.

Looking ahead, the first Swiss Digital Health Day will take place in Zurich next Tuesday. The event is organised by, among others, Venture Kick, Engagement Migros and digitalswitzerland.

Have a relaxing weekend.

Jost Dubacher
Editor startupticker.ch