The Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation (SwissEF) and the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation (DTNSF) are joining forces. The aim is to create outstanding framework conditions to build a significantly larger capital base for innovative start-ups that have the potential to grow globally.
Both organizations share the same foundational purpose: to promote Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem. Together, the foundations can now pursue these objectives more consistently, with a longer-term vision and with greater strength.
While the Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation and the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation will remain legally independent entities, they will be merged in terms of personnel and organizational structures. Operations will be consolidated under the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation. Implementation is scheduled to take place on 1 January 2025.
DTNSF is building on the key pioneering and development work of SwissEF and carrying it forward into the next decade. The founding partners from 2017 – die Mobiliar, UBS, Swisscom, Gebert Rüf Foundation and Wenger Vieli – will still be represented on the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation’s Board.
The ambition behind joining forces is to create internationally outstanding framework conditions and incentives to build a larger capital base for innovative future solutions. The goal is to mobilize around CHF 5 billion annually over the next decade for Swiss start-ups and scale-ups in the deep tech sector, doubling current investment volumes. This initiative is expected to indirectly create up to 100,000 jobs and reinforce Switzerland’s position as a leading deep tech nation.
“The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation is building on the key pioneering and development work of the Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation and is developing it further into the future,” commented Stefan Mäder (Chair of the Foundation Board), before going on to add: “By doing so, it is making a key contribution to Switzerland’s innovation capabilities and competitiveness.”
“The two foundations are joining forces to strengthen Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem in the long term and help Switzerland to gain global recognition as a deep tech nation,” remarked Christoph Aeschlimann (Chair of the DTNSF Foundation Board).
There are plans for the industry associations SWESA (Swiss Entrepreneur & Start-up Association) and SSA (Swiss Start-up Association) to merge at a later date.
(Press release / SK)
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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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