Major breakthroughs from Switzerland

Dear reader

The pandemic is still a major topic of discussion, as the number of positive cases increase and more mutations emerge. It is a challenge to eradicate the virus since most carriers show symptoms only days after infection, thus transmitting the virus unknowingly. Femtech start-up Ava promises to detect symptoms two days earlier using its bracelet. Following the positive results from its pilot trial, the company has launched clinical trials to further test whether a wearable device can detect a Covid-19 infection in real-time and alert people before they show symptoms.

Another breakthrough comes from MedAlliance, a Nyon-based company that develops drug-eluting balloons (DEB) for patients suffering from life-threatening coronary and peripheral arterial disease. After receiving FDA Breakthrough Device Designation Status for its Selution SLR sustained limus release drug-eluting balloon catheter, the company raised USD 50 million to fund the commercialisation and global clinical programmes. 

This week also saw several investments in innovative sustainable solutions across a range of sectors. CompPair Technologies, an EPFL spin-off that has invented a new composite material capable of healing itself, completed a seed round, and cleantech company Inergio, which develops clean, lightweight and efficient power sources that reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%, secured funding from the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT). The Venture Kick jury also awarded CHF 150,000 to St. Gallen-based start-up matriq, which has developed a unique watermark for traceability and authenticity of plastics. 

The French cosmetics giant L’Oreal is strengthening its relationship with Gjosa, which specialises in water-saving solutions, by acquiring a minority stake in the Biel/Bienne-based start-up. Combining their expertise, they have developed the L’Oreal Water Saver, a new sustainable haircare system currently being rolled out globally in selected L’Oreal salons.

Talking of fruitful collaboration, Italian coffee machine brand De’Longhi, a minority shareholder of Sierre-based Eversys since 2017, has agreed to acquire the start-up, which offers high-end full-automatic espresso machines, for CHF150 million. Green Motion, a pioneer and provider of charging systems for electric vehicles, has been bought by Eaton, a global leader in intelligent power management, following two years of collaboration. This acquisition marks a new journey for the two companies in the acceleration of the global energy transition.

Acquisitions also work in reverse when start-ups take over other companies. This week Beekeeper made a bold move to acquire Lua, the digital workflow platform for frontline work, in order to strengthen its operational ability to tackle the massive productivity gain opportunity in the frontline worker sector. 

Ample opportunities await Bright Sensors, which is ramping up its BlueEye Ex-D production for its first European large volume customer order. The start-up manufactures and sells gas quality sensors in mobile and stationary devices for real-time monitoring of gas quality. Vatorex has also seized market opportunities in the bee market by providing beekeepers with a sustainable alternative approach to combating the varroa mite. The start-up has been awarded the Innosuisse certificate, demonstrating its readiness for international growth.

With Innosuisse support, start-ups also have the chance to participate in internationalising programmes, such as the swissnex start-up bootcamp, for which the application deadline closes on 31 March. The deadline is also nearing for the BIC of Cern Technologies accelerator programme on 28 March and the SEIF award on 31 March. Next week, StartupForum Aargau will take place on 1 April.

Have a good weekend

Ritah Ayebare Nyakato
Duty Editor, Startupticker.ch