UpLeap and Beekee, Jua, Emissium and Torks are shaping societies and economies with their solutions. They are offering platforms for training healthcare workers, for educators to deliver education without the internet, for energy companies and data centers in making data-driven decisions and to promote sustainable mobility with a bike subscription model. These solutions have been recognized in several awards worldwide, demonstrating the company’s impact and innovation.
Swiss startup UpLeap has scored fifth position out of 2018 applications from 116 countries that were submitted to the Aurora Tech Award, a global competition for women entrepreneurs building impact-driven startups in emerging markets. Born in Zurich, the startup Upleap is an AI-powered training platform, like Duolingo for medical training. Developed by the startup breath, the platform was designed for healthcare professionals in regions where training is limited, but the need is critical. During the award ceremony in Cairo, Egypt, UpLeap received an award prize of $10,000.
Beekee awarded in Paris
Beekee won the Grand Prize at Explore Summit, a major event on sustainable innovation organized by 2050NOW La Maison in Paris. Out of 3,000 applications from all continents and sectors, the company impressed a jury of experts, businesses and scientists with its commitment to enable education in low-resource environments, without internet or power. Their product, Beekee Box, a can-sized computer, which represents a pocket-sized digital classroom, along with the Beekee Hub, powered by exclusive synchronization features and fleet management tools, empower educators to deliver dynamic lessons anywhere without the internet.
Bike subscription company wins BCN Boost award
Torks.ch has emerged the winner of the 5th edition of the BCN Boost, securing a cash prize of CHF 10,000. Currently, in the process of registering the company, Torks.ch offers a 100% digital electric bike subscription service designed to transform urban mobility, making it practical, flexible, and ecological. For a monthly fee of CHF 99, each user receives a personal, insured, and maintained bike.
Jua joins Free Electrons
The top 30 energy companies joining Free Electrons, a global accelerator program designed to support and scale innovative startups in the energy sector focused on clean energy, energy efficiency, digitization, electric mobility, and customer-centric services, have been determined. Among them is Swiss startup Jua.ai which will be joining the BootCamp to further advance its decision-making and modelling solution. By leveraging proprietary, new technology and tens of millions of primary data points, Jua’s solution operates the world’s first AI ‘Large Physics Model’ of Planet Earth, capable of predicting weather with extremely high accuracy, precision, and speed. As part of the Free Electrons program, Jua will have the opportunity to connect with leading international utilities and industry experts to accelerate the development and deployment of their solution.
Emissium wins ABB Startup Challenge
Organised by ABB and supported by SynerLeap and Microsoft, the ABB Startup Challenge is a six-month accelerator program that offers selected startups in five categories of $30,000 to collaborate and develop the solution in addition to access to potential customers and infrastructure. Emissium has been selected in the Smart Power category. The startup built a platform that delivers real-time electricity data to businesses, particularly data centers, enabling them to take actions based on data to reduce carbon emissions and optimize costs.
Dalith Steiger wins Empowering Women Award 2025
Early this month, Entrepreneur and AI pioneer Dalith Steiger-Gablinger was honored with the Empowering Women Award 2025 at this year's League of Leading Ladies Conference, recognizing her exceptional commitment to empowering women in technology, business and society. Dalith Steiger is co-founder of the global AI hub SwissCognitive and is considered one of the leading international thought leaders in artificial intelligence. However, her vision goes far beyond technological innovation: the UZH mathematician and business information scientist sees AI as a tool for social progress and equality. In a traditionally male-dominated environment, she has built up a strong international network and established herself as an important voice for women in the tech sector. As an entrepreneur, investor, mentor and sought-after keynote speaker, she inspires women around the world to take up a STEM profession that is still heavily male-dominated and to boldly pursue new career paths. Her mission: to build bridges, open doors and network globally.
(Press release/RAN)
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The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
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