We can grow

Dear reader

Bestsmile started in autumn 2018. Today, the company operates 12 practices for dental corrections throughout Switzerland and has more than 100 employees. Now Sparrow Ventures, Migros’ corporate venture arm, has taken a stake in the company and the fast growth can continue.

Bitcoin Suisse also employs more than 100 people. Our interview reveals the success factors of the company, current trends in blockchain technology and why Bitcoin Suisse has applied for a banking license.

“Very impressive growth figures” was the reason that the jury at the Digital Economy Awards selected fintech start-up Sonect as a winner in the category ‘Next Global Hot Thing’.

These examples show that the conditions in Switzerland allow rapid growth, and today some start-ups are able to grow very quickly.

A proven way to grow is collaboration with a large company, and the past week again brought good news. For example, Coop now includes several products from Umami in its range throughout Switzerland. Umami grows microgreens – young plants in the development stage between the shoots and the adult plant, and which are particularly nutritious and tasty at this stage.

From a corporate perspective, Swisscom Chief Digital Officer Roger Wüthrich Hasenböhler describes the opportunities such collaborations offer start-ups. In our interview, he also reveals the technology and applications in which Swisscom is currently interested.

The interest of established institutions in start-ups continues to increase, and not only applies to large companies. For example, a digital health award for start-ups was awarded for the first time at a scientific symposium in St. Gallen – the winner was Sleepiz.

Next Wednesday will be spent in Ticino, where the start-up scene is gaining momentum. Startup Invest’s Venture Day takes place in Lugano in the afternoon, and in the evening the awards ceremony of the second Boldbrain Startup Challenge takes place.

I would also like to draw your attention to Swissnex China and Swissnex India’s roadshows in the coming week. In addition, SICTIC’s Swiss Fintech Investor Day will be held on 4 December in Zurich, and the ‘Western Chapter’ of the Crypto Valley Association will be launched on Monday in Lausanne.

Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch