Creating a global hotspot

Dear reader

International orientation is one of the strengths of the Swiss economy. Accordingly, it is a matter of course for Swiss start-ups to expand globally with the help of their first major investment. The number of such start-ups is high: this week alone we reported on five companies that after completion of an early stage round are now addressing global markets. The range is wide, from cybersecurity company Exeon Analytics and catering industry platform Foodetective to rready, which offers B2B SaaS solutions for innovation methods, water management solution provider Droople and bnovate, which enables its customers to search for bacteria in water quickly and automatically.

International growth can lead to spectacular success. Chinese technology giant Xiaomi recently caused a sensation worldwide with the launch of a new foldable smartphone. The flagship product features a lens in a transparent fluid that behaves as the human eye. The technology comes from Nextlens, a sister company of Optotune in Zurich.

In the long term, the goal of such growth efforts is clear: to become a global category leader. ETH Zurich spin-off South Pole is a good role model: after joining forces with Belgian firm CO2logic, the group has now become the world’s largest climate solutions provider and carbon project developer.

Dynamism and success also attract foreign donors. The young US life sciences investment firm Adjuvant Capital has opened an office in Zurich and has now brought serial entrepreneur Philippe Dro on board.

Bay City Capital has had its European headquarters in Switzerland for years. The VC is part of the investor consortium that provided Oculis with USD 57 million. The biotech start-up develops drugs for eye diseases, and Phase III tests in a first indication are scheduled to begin before summer.

Of course, the path to success is not always straightforward. Find out in our article why Vay needed to pivot and how it is now conquering the market.

Next week Tag des Gründens St. Gallen takes place on 11 May, and eight start-ups will be looking for co-founders at the LikeMinded matchmaking event on 12 May. I would also like to point out the deadline of 16 May for the pitching battle at Startup Days. And applications are open for the next Kickstart programme until 17 May.

Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch