UBS Growth Advisory supported more than 25 Swiss scale-up companies in 2024 – the majority through growth loans. UBS Growth Advisory Team Head Lukas Reinhardt talks about the challenges for venture capital investments and exits, the trend towards deep tech and why growth loans are in demand.

Sparta, a market-leading provider of real-time intelligence for commodity traders based in Geneva, has secured $42 million in Series B funding. This investment fuels Sparta’s expansion beyond oil and gas, accelerating its development into a full-scale AI-powered trading platform empowering traders with actionable intelligence and collaborative decision-making.

Pexapark, a provider of price data, market intelligence and advisory services for renewable energy, today announced the acquisition of RenewaFi, the leading platform for renewable energy and battery storage in ERCOT, the grid covering most of Texas. The deal marks Pexapark’s entry into the US, with access to a network of over 200 energy companies.

Comphya SA, a pioneering medical technology company and the developer of CaverSTIM, the first implantable neuromodulator designed to treat erectile dysfunction announced recently the successful closure of the first tranche of its Series A1 funding round. This achievement strengthens Comphya’s financial position, enabling the continued advancement and expansion of its groundbreaking clinical trials.

DPhi Space, a Swiss startup pioneering shared satellites for hosted payloads, has successfully closed a CHF 2.1M pre-seed investment round led by QBIT Capital, with support from Zurich Cantonal Bank, Apprecia Capital, Kickfund, and other strategic investors. With this investment, DPhi Space is expanding its engineering team and pushing the boundaries of hosted payloads and in-orbit computing.

Three Swiss startups have been awarded funding up to €10 million as part of international and European projects aiming to develop a functional test to diagnosis food allergies and an autologous bio-printed liver. Beyond the life sciences space, bNovate joined an EU project aiming to strengthen water systems in Valais, Switzerland.

Geneva-based Sonar, the leading provider of code quality and code security solutions, is acquiring AutoCodeRover, an autonomous AI agent platform for software development. The acquisition enhances Sonar’s offering with a sophisticated foundation for automatically addressing real-world engineering issues such as debugging, issue remediation, and code refactoring. This further underscores Sonar’s commitment to investing in AI to help developers and organizations build high-quality, secure applications more effectively.

Joining an accelerator program offers several benefits, including access to industry players and experts, as well as training designed to help companies advance their solutions. Numerous accelerator programs worldwide have welcomed Swiss companies across sectors such as healthcare, pet food, and cleantech.

Addressing the limitations of traditional robotic systems, Mimic Robotics is creating dexterous robotic manipulators for human environments. Using scalable AI models trained on large-scale human video data, the ETH spin-off equips robots to perform complex tasks with minimal fine-tuning. The startup received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick, winning the third stage of the program.

Die Akademien der Wissenschaften Schweiz unter der Leitung der SATW unterstützen mit der Förderinitiative «Food 4.0» innovative Projekte, die nachhaltige und zukunftsweisende Lösungen für die Schweizer Lebensmittelbranche entwickeln. Neu dabei sind die Foodtech-Startups CHoNova und Niatsu.

Berlin Heals Holding AG, a late stage medtech startup developing a groundbreaking method and medical device for treating heart failure, has secured fresh funding in its series A round to support further clinical developments. The company’s initial product, C-MIC, has already demonstrated success in a pilot study with patients and recently completed enrollment in an international multi-center controlled randomized clinical trial for CE certification.

Personalisierte Vorsorgeuntersuchungen auf Knopfdruck buchen und Veränderungen über die Zeit via App im Blick behalten: Das bietet das Zürcher Startup CARE. Nach einem starken Start ins neue Jahr will das Digital Health-Startup seinen B2B- und B2C-Kundenstamm vergrössern. Dafür setzt CARE auf Partnerschaften mit medizinischen Laboren und anderen Gesundheitsdienstleistern.

Lugano-based InVirtuoLabs aims to halve development time and costs in pharmaceutical research using artificial intelligence and advanced molecular simulations. The startup has now closed its first funding round of €2.85 million to support further developments and expansion.

Businesses and governments alike require robust technology solutions, which Swiss startups have consistently delivered. Across the globe, new partnerships are emerging to integrate a diverse range of solutions, from virtual advertising and encrypted communication to biometric identity, energy management, and carbon capture.

Astorg, a leading Pan-European private equity firm, has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in Redslim from its Founders who will re-invest significantly in the business. Redslim provides data management services, leveraging a proprietary technology platform, and focusing on Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) and Consumer Healthcare (CHC) segments.

Sowapi annonce la sortie de la nouvelle version enrichie de son application mobile, qui va encore plus loin pour répondre aux besoins croissants des pet parents et des pet sitters. Cette mise à jour apporte des innovations majeures dans la flexibilité et la sécurité des services de garde. Comptant déjà 12'000 utilisateurs en Suisse, la startup valaisanne vient de séduire 6000 au Portugal en deux mois.

This week, business consultancy firm EY published the EY Startup Barometer Switzerland 2025. It offers valuable insights into the performance of the Swiss start-up ecosystem in comparison with Germany and Austria, the gender composition of the founding teams and the Swiss AI sector.

Das Industrie 4.0-Startup Eleven Dynamics hat sich in der jüngsten Seed+ Investitionsrunde 3,5 Millionen Franken gesichert. Die Runde wurde von den Lead-Investoren EquityPitcher Ventures und seed + speed Ventures angeführt. Das frische Kapital wird ergänzt mit einem 3-Millionen-Darlehen des Schweizer Technologiefonds.

GetYourLawyer AG mit seiner Plattform für die Vernetzung von juristischen Fachpersonen und Menschen auf der Suche nach einer passenden Anwältin oder Anwalt, wechselt die Besitzer. Die beiden Investoren und Tech-Unternehmer Bastian Manintveld und François Chabat haben das Legal-Tech übernommen. Die neuen Eigentümer wollen das Angebot der Plattform erweitern und damit expandieren.

As part of its next growth phase,  RoomPriceGenie, a leading provider of revenue management systems for independent hotels and groups, has secured $75 million from Five Elms Capital to accelerate international expansion and further enhance its platform. Additionally, technology executive Chas Scarantino, who joined Five Elms Capital last summer to support portfolio companies, has been appointed as CEO to lead the company.

Multiple Swiss startups across industries such as photonics, energy, and agritech have impressed global juries, securing prestigious prizes and gaining access to international platforms to present their innovative solutions. These companies will showcase their work in Brussels, Mexico, and Berlin. 

Lausanne based Virtuosis is opening a subsidiary in France. The Swiss AI Startup providing health and wellbeing insights from your voice is strengthening its presence in the European Union to cater a growing number of customers. The health tech cofounded by Lara Gervaise and Edoardo Guidice has ambitious plans for the future.

The Microsoft AI Tech Accelerator Community launched last week, selecting 23 startups to advance their AI solutions over the next five months. This year’s edition emphasizes community and aims to foster deeper collaborations, providing startups with the support they need to accelerate their AI innovations.

Maguar, the German tech investor specializing in B2B software investments in the DACH region, closed a majority investment in Navori Labs, a globally recognized innovator in digital signage software and computer vision solutions headquartered in Lausanne. Building on Navori’s impressive historic growth, the investment aims to expand its market share, deepen customer relationships, and support strategic acquisitions across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Using advanced computational strategies and topology optimization, OptimalPSI is focused on developing patient-specific spinal fusion implants. The ETH spin-off OptimalPSI has obtained CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to prepare for its US market entry. 

Four startups in the life sciences sector are developing different solutions – some to improve the diagnosis of neurological disorders and enable aesthetics surgeons to create potential outcomes while others are focusing on developing new therapies for treating cancer, metabolic and rare diseases. The startups have been awarded the Innosuisse Certificate, recognising their readiness for growth.

CARB-X has awarded US$6.5 to LimmaTech Bio, a clinical-stage biotech company developing vaccines for the prevention of life-threatening diseases. Following the vaccination of the first participants with LBT-SA7 in a phase 1 controlled study, this fresh funding will fuel the next steps. 

Five Swiss startups have been selected to showcase their innovations at the SWISS Pavilion, which will be featured at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan’s largest international exhibition center, from February 19–21, 2025. The startups are developing solutions to shape the future of clean energy.

Der Green Business Award wurde vergangenen Freitagabend an einem Events von Impact Gstaad vergeben. Den Award gewonnen hat New Roots, welches pflanzliche Käse- und Molkereiprodukte nach traditionellem Schweizer Herstellverfahren produziert. Das Berner Startup setzte sich im mehrstufigen Verfahren gegen ursprünglich 36 Nominierte durch.

Das Scale-up RaiseNow ist mit seinen digitalen Tools für Fundraising und Zahlungslösungen für NGOs europaweit führend. RaiseNow hat zuletzt in einer Finanzierungsrunde im Q4 2024 12 Millionen Franken eingesammelt. Damit wollen die Zürcher ihre Position im europäischen Markt weiter stärken. Beteiligt haben sich neben den Gründern von RaiseNow und dem belgischen Partner Koalect Bestandsinvestorinnen und -Investoren.

Nasdaq-listed biotech company Oculis announced the pricing of an underwritten offering of 5,000,000 of its ordinary shares at a price of $20.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $100 million. Proceeds will be used to advance and accelerate its clinical development pipeline, particularly the development of its novel neuroprotective clinical candidate Privosegtor (OCS-05).

Die Technologie von Hoop ermöglicht es, Firmengründungen und spätere Änderungen im Handelsregister komplett papierlos durchzuführen. Jetzt erwirbt die Neue Zürcher Zeitung einen Aktienanteil von 9 Prozent am Abacus-Spin-off und integriert dessen Lösung in seine Wirtschaftsinfo-Plattform Moneyhouse.

findependent hat seine ambitionierten Wachstumspläne übertroffen und hat das verwaltete Vermögen innert Jahresfrist verdoppelt. Das Fintech-Startup verzeichnet bei seinen inzwischen über 20'000 Kundinnen und Kunden einen immer grösseren Anteil, die über 100'000 Franken mit findependent anlegen.

The recently selected ten technology startups selected for the Venture Leaders Mobile roadshow will be joined by nine new startups at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the leading global event for the connectivity industry.  Barcelona. The delegation will benefit from exclusive pitching sessions and expand their network.

Business and politics must align to drive innovation, particularly in today's technological era where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly dominant. The newly launched €150 billion EU AI Champions Initiative marks a significant step forward, with 60 European companies - both startups and incumbents uniting to streamline AI regulations. Switzerland has a strong representation with four startups and scale-ups supporting the vision of transforming industries with AI.

ETFbook provides a comprehensive data and analytics platform accessible through a user-friendly web application and robust APIs. Founded in 2020, the ETFbook has established itself as a leading data and analytics platform specializing in the ETF market, serving a diverse client base of 35+ leading institutional clients. The closing of is  €4 million Series A funding round led by BlackFin Capital Partners sets the company on an accelerated growth course.

Mit der Integration der Swiss Entrepreneur & Startup Association (SWESA) in die Swiss Startup Association bekommt die Schweiz einen vereinten Startup-Verband mit über 1’800 Mitgliedern. Damit ist die SSA einer der grössten nationalen Startup-Verbände Europas. Zudem geht das Sekretariat der “Parlamentarischen Gruppe Startups & Unternehmertum”, deren Präsident Nationalrat Andri Silberschmidt ist, ebenfalls an die SSA über.

Last week the Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich published a report examining the current state of Zurich’s financial market with a focus on private equity. Within the region of Zurich, they found 168 private equity and venture capital firms plus hundreds of family offices. While these numbers reflect a robust foundation, the authors point out to a fundamental lack in growth stage investments. The report concludes with several actionable recommendations.

As of February 2025, Nexoya is focusing on continued growth and European expansion. Building on its success in Switzerland and Germany, the marketing analytics company is now offering its AI-driven solutions to optimize digital marketing campaigns for companies in Italy. A new office and team have been established in Milan to support this growth.

Geneva-based BrainScape Medical, a newly incorporated company headed by Dr. Laura Johnson has announced promising results from the first human trials using the Epios technology. The medtech company specializing in neuromonitoring and neurostimulation technologies has also been awarded FDA Breakthrough Device Designation.

On February 5, the AI Startup Center by Technopark Zürich was officially launched. Its goal is to become the place to be for AI innovations in Switzerland, in close collaboration with ETH Zurich’s AI Center. It already has 20 startup members which benefit from various offers.

Several startups across Switzerland have welcomed experienced leaders into key executive roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, driving further development and growth within these life scinces, fintech, and cleantech companies.

vVARDIS, a Swiss high growth dental company, and OrbiMed, a leading healthcare investment firm, today announced the closing of a $35 million financing. The capital will support the company's growth initiatives and global commercial expansion.

ZWEI Wealth wurde 2014 als Schweizer Beratungsunternehmen für Vermögensverwaltung gegründet und hat sich seitdem als Plattform etabliert. Mit der Akquisition erweitert Swiss Life ihr bestehendes Angebot im Anlagegeschäft. ZWEI Wealth gewinnt einen starken Partner für die nächsten Expansionsschritte.

The Foundation for Innovation and Technology (FIT) has awarded a Digital Growth loan of CHF 200,000 to Biped Robotics, a Digital Seed loan of CHF 50,000 to Synature and a Digital Grant of CHF 20,000 to Châtaigne. Biped and its harness for the visually impaired will be launching into new markets, Synature is finalising its biodiversity analysis tool and Châtaigne is designing an alternative to meal delivery services.

Nextesy nutzt modernste KI, um wichtige Geschäftsprozesse wie Dokumentenmanagement, Buchhaltung, Gehaltsabrechnung und Bankgeschäfte zu optimieren. Nun hat das von einem erfahrenen Team lancierte Startup, eine Pre-Seed-Finanzierungsrunde abgeschlossen, die von prominenten Business Angels sowie dem renommierten early-stage Investor Fifth Quarter Ventures angeführt wurde.

Silicon-Valley based MS&AD Ventures and Redstone are extending the partnership bringing in Redstone as a partner across the full venture capital value chain. The Redstone team will support MS&AD Ventures in all aspects of their operations including deal sourcing, portfolio management and business development, working closely as a trusted partner. As the Redstone team will work from Switzerland this will bring new opportunities for Swiss start-ups.

Cleantech startup noriware has joined bi0SpaCE, a €3 million Horizon Europe project aiming to revolutionizing the way bio-based industries track, optimize and scale sustainability. The startup brings to the project its approach to developing sustainable, seaweed-based alternatives to traditional plastic packaging.

Fruitful AI hat in einer Finanzierungsrunde frisches Geld eingesammelt, um seine innovative Computervision-Lösung für die industrielle Qualitätskontrolle weiter zu skalieren. Der global führende Fertigungsanlagen-Hersteller MFL Group und der norwegische Industrie-Investor Hatteland haben die Runde gemeinsam angeführt. 

Der Health Innovation Hub Aargau und das Kantonsspital Baden eröffnen auf dem Gesundheitscampus direkt beim Spital einen Startup Hub. Nebst Arbeitsplätzen für Health- und Medtech-Startups werden die Gründerinnen und Gründer hier auch gezielt mit der Klinik, Forschung und weiteren Playern in der Umgebung vernetzt.