According to the recently published Venture Kick Annual Report, the philanthropic initiative has backed 1,121 Swiss startup projects with CHF 80 million from private donors since its launch in 2007. Follow-on investors around the globe have injected a total of CHF 9 billion into its portfolio of 750 high-tech companies that have to date created 14,441 jobs. With support increased by 30% in 2025, the initiative aims to reach its goal of supporting 3,000 companies by 2033.
The Venture Kick Annual Report 2024 highlights the continued success of the Kick Foundation initiative in solidifying Switzerland’s position as a global innovation leader. In 2024, Venture Kick experienced significant growth in startup applications from various sectors, with 880 submissions representing a 12.7% year-on-year increase (up from 781 in 2023). A total of CHF 6.7 million was invested in 97 new startup projects last year.
The applications demonstrated a strong national representation, with the German-speaking region contributing 59%, the French-speaking region 37%, and Ticino 4%. Considering the geographic distribution, it is not surprising that selected ETH Zurich and EPFL projects represent 46% of all companies. In terms of sectors, 41 % of the supported projects are in life sciences (Biotech and Medtech) followed by 19 % in cleantech, 18 % in ICT, 13 % in electronics / mechanics, 6 % in micro/nanotechnologies, and 3 % in materials/chemicals.
Startups supported by Venture Kick have made remarkable achievements, with 66 Venture Kick alumni recognized among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2024. And despite a difficult fundraising environment, the Venture Kick startups attracted more than CHF 1 billion in investments last year.
Overall, since its initiation in 2007, Venture Kick has supported 1,121 with CHF 80 million from private donors. Follow-on investors around the globe have injected a total of CHF 9 billion to build a portfolio of 750 growing high-tech companies representing 14,441 jobs.
Some alumni reached Unicorn status (Climeworks, Mindmaze, Scandit or Kandou) while others became global leaders in their markets (InSphero or MaxWell Biosystems). Two companies such as Onward Medical or Bioversys announced their IPO announcements, with the latter scheduled to take place this quarter at the Swiss Stock Exchange. And 87 startups had an exit and were sold to acquirers like Apple, ABB, Intel, Bruker, Boehringer Ingelheim, and many others.
Ambitious goals for the future
Looking at 2025, Venture Kick will increase its support by 30% and has set an ambitious mission of supporting 3,000 science-based startups by 2033, aiming to create 100,000 jobs. To achieve this goal, the foundation is constantly expanding its partner consortium. Venture Kick actively seeks to attract new donors to the partner consortia to ensure continued and expanded support for the next generation of Swiss innovators.
“It’s impressive to see how Venture Kick startups continue to thrive, attracting substantial investments and creating jobs, even in challenging times. Our key mission is to convert the cutting-edge research, and all these patents produced at Swiss universities in jobs and economically viable solutions, solving the biggest challenges our society faces,” says Beat Schillig, Co-Managing Director of Venture Kick.
(Press release/RAN)
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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