The right moment in time

Dear reader

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, behind London but ahead of New York. With the innovation fair Viva Technology, which started in 2016, the French capital has also gained in profile as a high-tech location. In its seventh edition, the tech event attracted 150,000 participants from 174 countries, 11,400 start-up representatives and 1,700 investment funds. More about the fair and the Swiss delegation in our background article.

The right contact at the right time is one of the most important success triggers in the ecosystem. When companies enter the expansion phase, new skills and resources are required. The SEF.Growth High Potential Label gives start-ups access to a network of experts and facilitates the search for new capital.

Kickstart Innovation also focuses on networking: the Open Innovation Initiative, supported by large companies such as AXA, Coop and Swisscom, takes place for the eighth time this year. More than 1,000 start-ups from 62 countries applied, 41 of which were approved with a third coming from Switzerland. They now have the opportunity to develop ideas and concepts in an 11-week programme together with the Kickstart partners.

Ponera has already passed the practical test. The Ticino-based start-up has developed a modular pallet system with an integrated IOT solution. It wants to revolutionise the way industrial goods are packaged and transported, says CEO Matthew Reali. Production capacity is now being ramped up.

Loopia and Moonchy are brand new to the market. Loopia operates a white label solution for resale and peer-to-peer marketplaces. The Zurich-based start-up has gained the Lucerne computer and electronics retailer STEG as its first customer.

Founded in 2020, Moonchy develops snacks to regulate the energy balance during the female cycle. The ‘Moonchys’ have been delivered to customers throughout Switzerland since the beginning of this month.

To financing: tourism start-up Nezasa has raised CHF 4.2 million from top names such as Alpana Ventures and ZKB. An American impact fund has invested in Earkick. EPFL spin-off Bearmind has completed a seed round worth CHF 2 million. And Carvolution secured a credit line of CHF 24 million from Zuger Kantonalbank.

Although only a few events take place during the summer holidays, the application procedures for funding programmes and innovation prizes do not take a break. The registration period for the Swiss Technology Award runs until 11 August; that of the DayOne Health 4.0 accelerator programme closes two days later.

Applications are open for the Innosuisse Scale-up Coaching until 29 September, and on 28 August Innosuisse will start the next round of the Swiss Accelerator.

Have a relaxing weekend.

Jost Dubacher
Editor startupticker.ch