In collaboration with Imina Technologies, Attolight has launched a new nanoprobing option on its Allalin Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)-Spectroscopic platform. The resulting Allalin-miBots have now been deployed in Hong Kong.

Teams from the University of Fribourg, ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich have each secured a grant of CHF 150’000 as part of the InnoBooster program to advance their solutions. Proposed solutions address challenges in the energy and medical sectors, as well as industry aiming to reduce carbon emissions with novel techniques.

EVOK, fournisseur frigourgeois renommé de services informatique rejoint le groupe Sequotech en pleine croissance. Cette intégration s’aligne à l’ambition de Sequotech de consolider sa position de leader du marché de services IT en Suisse romande. EVOK rejoint les sociétés existantes du groupe - dbi services, UDITIS, exxo it-services et avency - qui emploie aujourd'hui environ 250 salariés.

Die Ostschweizer fluidbot AG entwickelt einen Roboter für die Überwachung und vorausschauende Instandhaltung von Trinkwasserleitungen. Nun erhält das Startup Unterstützung aus der Zielbranche. Der Forschungsfond Wasser des Schweizerischen Fachverbands für Wasser, Gas und Wärme fördert die weitere Entwicklung finanziell.

Sygnum, Taurus and Wecan Group provide varying infrastructure to accelerate the adoption of digital assets in the financial services industry. The companies have witnessed a surge in demand for their solutions, affirmed by forging partnerships with banks in Switzerland and expanding their reach globally.

Startupticker.ch can provide free high-quality content thanks to our supporters. Find out more about our principal Innosuisse and key partners Gebert Rüf Stiftung, UBS and Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation.

Nach einen halben Jahr wurden in der Schweiz 27'109 Neugründungen verzeichnet. Das sind 2,1 Prozent mehr als in der Vorjahresperiode. Die IFJ Studie «Nationale Analyse Schweizer Firmengründungen 1. Halbjahr 2024» vergleicht die Gründungswerte zudem mit denen der Nachbarländer. Etwas getrübt wird die positive Gründungsbilanz durch die ebenfalls zunehmende Anzahl an Konkursen, wie der Gläubigerverband Creditreform in seiner neusten Erhebung aufzeigt.

Geneva-based Forestay is one of the few Swiss VCs focussing on growth stage investments. This second fund has received backing from some of the largest family offices in Europe and Switzerland. Forestay II will primarily invest in Enterprise AI and Software as a Service (SaaS) sectors.

Leadership changes enable startups to exploit the expertise of industry leaders, allowing them to take a leap into the next phase. Several appointments have been recently made with new, experienced personalities hailing from other organisations, but also from within the startups themselves.

Malaysia Aviation Group (“MAG”) has appointed Yonder to provide long-term services and upgrade their existing legacy documentation system across the Group. The group employs a total of 12,000 people and has reported a turnover of almost USD 3 billion for 2023.

Following the success of its inaugural program with eight participants, the FF+ Acceleration Program is entering the next phase. Aiming to create an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Switzerland, the program will continue to support female led ventures and make them investment ready.

Four of Ikerian’s products are now registered as Class IIa medical devices under the European Union Medical Device Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/745) (EU-MDR), strengthening its position in the AI healthcare technology space. The Certificate applies to its Ophthalmology Data Platform ‘RetinAI Discovery’ and three AI-based models to identify and quantify retinal layers, retinal fluids and retinal biomarkers.

Squirro, a leading Swiss-headquartered global SaaS platform specializing in enterprise-ready generative AI, search, and business insights, acquired Synaptica. This strategic acquisition integrates Synaptica’s semantic graph technology with Squirro’s generative AI capabilities, creating a powerful platform for knowledge discovery, conversational search, and business process automation.

ONWARD Medical, focussed on spinal cord stimulation therapies to restore movement, function, and independence in people with spinal cord injury, signed a loan agreement in the amount of up to €52.5 million with U.S.-based lender Runway Growth Capital LLC. The loan will help to fund upcoming milestones including the expected launch of a first therapy later this year.

Liberta Partners, eine in München ansässige Multi-Family Holding, hat das führende Schweizer E-Commerce-Unternehmen DeinDeal AG von Ringier übernommen. Seit 2015 war Ringier mehrheitlich an DeinDeal beteiligt. Liberta beabsichtigt die führende Position des Unternehmens im Schweizer E-Commerce-Markt weiter auszubauen.

Innerhalb von nur 30 Stunden sicherte sich das Aarauer Fintech-Startup findependent 5 Millionen Franken. Die Summe steuerten Kundinnen und Kunden per Crowdfunding bei. Das Startup kann sich damit voll auf die Weiterentwicklung der Unternehmung und der App konzentrieren.

Beim Zürcher Startup Scrona übernehmen die Gründer definierte Management-Rollen, ELDICO bekommt einen neuen CEO, das Fintech ONE PM stockt die Leitung auf und bei kaisin. ziehen sich zwei Mitgründer zurück.

42matters, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Zurich, is known for its high-quality data in the App Intelligence space. The company has been acquired by Similarweb, a global leader in digital intelligence with more than 1000 employees and publicly traded on the NYSE.

Daphne Technology’s innovative SlipPure system has been awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd's Register (LR) for its Plasma-Catalytic technology, with LR witnessed results confirming the efficacy and reliability of the system. The performance results demonstrate the technology's readiness for market deployment and its impact on reducing methane emissions The next version of the SlipPure is currently being manufactured for deployment in November 2024 with a US Oil super-major.

Die SMG Swiss Marketplace Group AG übernimmt per sofort 100 Prozent der moneyland.ch AG. Die Marke, die Plattform und das Team von moneyland.ch bleiben bestehen und werden vollständig in die SMG integriert. Auch Gründer Benjamin Manz bleibt weiterhin als Geschäftsführer tätig.

Thomas Mehrling, an expert in developing novel oncology compounds from bench to bedside, is the new CEO of Release Therapeutics. The appointment follows the recent strategic pivot of Release Tx (formerly, ‘MaxiVax’) towards treating genetic disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with a best-in-class cell macroencapsulation technology as an alternative to gene therapy.

Der Fokus von Nahtlos liegt auf Textil-basierten Elektroden für den Einsatz in der Medizin. Die erste Generation dieser Anwendung ist bereits auf dem Markt. Parallel zum Re-Design der Elektroden macht sich das St. Galler Medtech-Startup die zugrundeliegende Technologie der semipermeablen Textilien für den Launch einer einfacheren Anwendung zunutze und hat dazu eine Produktionslinie für Kühlbekleidung aufgebaut.

Idorsia receives European marketing authorisation for JERAYGO for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Aphaia reports positive phase 2 results for a drug designed to prevent diabetes. And Stalicla can announce positive results from a phase 1b study of its precision medicine candidate for patients with autism spectrum disorder.

This year, Droople launched its Partner Program, aimed at aligning with key customers who share its vision for a sustainable future. Recently the Swiss cleantech welcomed Belu Water as a top-tier partner in this initiative. With members won already in Greece, France, Germany, the program led by Frédéric Zoupanos is on track to achieve its ambitious objectives.

The Andreas & Thomas Struengmann Award was established this year to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs realizing revolutionary ideas in the DACH life science sector. First winners are HAYA Therapeutics' co-founders Samir Ounzain and Daniel Blessing. The award is worth €100,000.

One year after raising CHF 9M in funding, TreaTech announces the inauguration of VISTA, its first Swiss circular waste treatment unit, at the Ecorecyclage site in Lavigny. Set to process industrial, agricultural and municipal waste, the installation will directly inject the renewable gas captured into the natural gas network of parent company Holdigaz Group who invested in the Vaud startup. The unit will be installed in Q3 2024.

Sion-based startup WattAnyWhere has closed its seed round, nearing CHF 5 million of total funding inclusive of equity, grants, and loans raised since its company launch in 2021. The successful conclusion of the seed round aligns with WattAnyWhere’s signing of strategic contracts with early adopters in the oil and gas and retail industries.

Launched in 2020, UBS’s venture and innovation unit, UBS Next, focuses on investments in the fintech and broader tech ecosystem. The newest addition to their portfolio is GIST Impact, a Nyon-based impact data and analytics provider, co-founded in 2008 by environmentalist Andre Hoffmann, Vice Chairman of Roche Holding, and environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev (CEO).

Ten years after the company was launched, the Proton Foundation becomes the primary shareholder of Proton AG through a donation from the founders and the first employee. As a result, it is permanently ensured that the mission of Proton, to create an internet that is able and willing to defend freedom, is not subordinated to profit objectives. The Foundation will also be an investor active in supporting companies and technologies that advance the vision of a free and open internet.

Since 2004, Venturelab has been developing and operating startup programs to promote the best entrepreneurial talent in Switzerland, including Venture Kick, Venture Leaders, the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award, and the Innosuisse Start-up Trainings. The founders supported by Venturelab have raised over CHF 15 billion in investment capital and created 25,000 new jobs.

Zurich-based prosthesis manufacturer Circleg has completed its first investment round and received a convertible loan of CHF 1.5 million to expand its market presence and extend operations to new regions. This brings the total funding to CHF 6 million.

The Foundation for Technological Innovation announces two new loans to Aspivix and Xemperia. Aspivix has been awarded a Tech Growth loan of CHF 500,000 for its non-traumatic device for all gynaecological procedures, while Xemperia, which offers blood test for the detection of breast cancer, has been granted a Tech Seed loan of CHF 100,000.

Libattion, a fast-growing company in the field of stationary energy storage solutions from upcycled e-car batteries, has secured a total of EUR14 million from four international investors. The funds will be used to significantly increase Libattion’s global presence and expand the activities in Europe.

ENANTIOS, an ETH Zürich deep-tech Spin-off, raised over CHF1.8 million for its new molecule characterization method, which addresses critical bottlenecks in traditional drug development. The new funds will be used to improve the capabilities of the measurement technology, expand the team and forge collaborations.

Startfeld, die Startup-Förderung von Switzerland Innovation Park Ost fördert jährlich bis zu 15 Ostschweizer Startups. Im ersten Halbjahr 2024 konnten bereits 7 Jungunternehmen und 2 Startups in der Gründungsphase das Startfeld-Komitee überzeugen. Sie erhalten ein Förderpaket, welches sie individuell für Coaching, Co-Working oder Dienstleistungen einsetzen können. 

Mit seiner Online-Plattform unterstützt das Startup Optune Künstler, Musikerinnen, Künstleragenturen und Manager beim professionellen Buchungsmanagement. Nun haben 14 Promis aus der Schweizer Unterhaltungsbranche in das Zürcher Startup investiert, darunter Charles Nguela, Claudio Zuccolini, Sina oder Kunz.

DePoly’s showcase plant will be the first plastic monomer recycling plant in Switzerland and will unlock the possibility of recycling unsorted, untreated and mixed post-consumer and post-industrial textile and packaging waste streams. This new plant will have an increased feedstock capacity and will be able to treat up to 500 Tons of PET/Polyester plastics per year.

The Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) is supporting Ex Nunc Intelligence and Carewell. The artificial intelligence-based platform developed by Ex Nunc Intelligence for legal professionals has been awarded a Digital Seed loan of CHF 50,000, while Carewell and its digital marketplace for healthcare replacements has been awarded a Digital Grant of CHF 20,000.

To mark its 25th anniversary, the business angels club StartAngels has provided an insight into its investment data, the club’s activities and the importance of business angels in general. Some surprising facts are revealed.

Superlab offers ready-to-use laboratory spaces equipped with the latest technology and essential operational support services. With the new facility in Basel, Superlab Suisse becomes the largest private lab space in Switzerland. Expansion will continue with a third location in Zurich, scheduled to open in March 2025.

Die gestrige Finance 2.0 Konferenz «Crypto Assets 24» fand ihren Abschluss in der feierlichen Verleihung der Swiss Crypto Awards 2024. In der Kategorie «Best Crypto Startup» gewann Relai mit seiner stark wachsenden Bitcoin-App. Zudem wurden der Sygnum CEO Mathias Imbach, die Swiss Blockchain Federation und das Anlageprodukt von CV VC ausgezeichnet.

Calico Biosystems is dedicated to enhancing the clinical efficacy of anti-cancer drugs during the pre-clinical stage. The Lausanne-based startup received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to drive forward the commercialization of its precision oncology platform against tumors in women.

The FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF) in Geneva has awarded funding to 3 cutting-edge tech projects: CHF 100k seed loans for returning winners Planeto and HekeTiss, and a CHF 50k grant for newcomer LightEye. Planeto, a UNIGE spinoff, is revolutionizing the clean energy sector with a software tool that digitalizes the design of sustainable district heating and cooling (DHC) networks for buildings and cities. HekeTiss is enhancing the quality of life for patients with chronic wounds through patented stem cell technology developed with UNIGE and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). LightEye, a CERN spinoff, is improving aviation safety with its more affordable and lightweight LiDAR technology.

On top of a USD57 million equity investment from Catalyst, SkyCell raised USD59 million from Tybourne Capital Management and CC Industries. This investment will be used for the continued expansion of SkyCell’s global footprint with a key focus on growth across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia and will enable the Zug-based company to solidify its position as a key player in the pharmaceutical logistics sector.

Die SECA (Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association) hat Thomas Dübendorfer zum 22. Business Angel des Jahres gekürt. Der Informatiker hat selbst neun Unternehmen mitgegründet, in weitere investiert und amtet als Präsident des Schweizer Angel Investoren Clubs SICTIC, den er 2014 mitinitiiert hat. SICTIC-Mitglieder haben unterdessen in 300 Schweizer Startups investiert.

Swiss climate tech company Neustark closed one of the largest growth equity investment rounds in carbon removal. The Swiss CDR specialist has developed and deployed an IP-protected solution that allows the durable removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by capturing CO2 at point source, then binding it in mineral waste streams via an accelerated mineralization process.

Alivexis, Inc. and Basel-based Melodia Therapeutics AG, a company established by the company builder Forty51 Ventures, have entered into an exclusive license agreement for the worldwide development, manufacturing, and commercialization of Alivexis' MDI-0151. Melodia will rapidly initiate IND-enabling activities for MDI-0151 to prepare for a Phase 1/Phase 2a study in various refractory inflammatory diseases.

Quatre jeunes pousses innovantes ont été sélectionnées pour rejoindre le programme d'accélération de GENILEM pour les trois prochaines années. Digisky, Dyneo, Moonwork et Swiss Woolness Wellness remportent un coaching sur mesure pour consolider leur développement et accélérer leur croissance.

Santhera secured CHF 69 million to advance the commercialization of AGAMREE, repay maturing bonds and extend cash runway through to the first half of 2026, at which point Santhera expects to be cash flow break-even. The financing includes up to USD 38 million in exchange for a partial monetization of royalty payments and a new CHF 35 million term loan, coupled with conversion/maturity extension of private bonds.

Das im Januar 2024 lancierte KlimUp-Förderprogramm hat viel positives Feedback erhalten und bereits die zweite Kohorte von Start-ups und Non-Profit-Organisationen aufgenommen. Die sechs ausgewählten Startups können ihre nachhaltigen Technologien mit dem Förderbetrag von CHF 35'000 ausbauen.

iOnctura is developing a portfolio of precision oral small molecules that target cancers in novel ways. The Company has progressed two therapeutic candidates into mid-stage clinical development. The financing will be used to accelerate development of the lead asset for the treatment of uveal melanoma (UM), a rare cancer of the eye with few available treatments.