Cleantech start-ups with ambition and resilience

TissueLabs has closed a pre-seed round of $800,000 led by Mergus Ventures, with notable contributions from MIT Angels, among other funds and private investors. Concurrently, the company proudly unveils its state-of-the-art biofabrication hub in Bellinzona, advancing its mission to revolutionize healthcare through tissue engineering.

In a key milestone, Sparrow Analytics has completed €2 million seed financing round. Investors are Ground Capital, a Lisbon-based venture capital fund, and Ascending Productions, a Dubai-based fund. The funding paves the way for expansion of the environmental analytics startup in Switzerland and beyond.

With a presence in six regions renowned for innovation, the Swissnex network bridges the gap between Switzerland and the world in research, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Among the biggest assets are the startup programs, most prominently the Innosuisse internationalization camps. Here is a look at the locations where Swissnex offers these camps and why Swiss startups should leverage Swissnex’s offerings to internationalize.

An der diesjährigen START Summit Konferenz konnte der Unternehmer Pascal Bieri die Auszeichnung als «HSG-Gründer des Jahres 2024» entgegennehmen. Er ist Mitgründer des ETH- und HSG- Spin-offs Planted und leitet die Bereiche Sales und International Business Development.

Im Januar musste Koch & Gsell, das Unternehmen hinter der Zigarettenmarke Heimat, Insolvenz anmelden. Bestellungen von neuen Grosskunden aus dem Ausland und ein neues Investment in Millionenhöhe ermöglichen nun den Neustart.

Anlässlich der erstmals durchgeführten Bern Upcycling Challenge wurden Scrimber, Mymyio und Second Life Recharger als Gewinner gekürt. Die drei haben mit ihren Ideen zu kreislauffähigen Geschäftsmodellen in den Bereichen Bau, Möbel und Batterien die Jury am meisten überzeugt. Die Challenge war mit insgesamt 30'000 Franken dotiert.

Vaud-based TeraSol - a company specializing in soil protection and the reuse of excavated materials - has secured its first round of financing to expand its product catalog and make urban renaturation projects more accessible and sustainable. Founded in 2022, the circular economy startup is seeing its revenues grow.

The EPFL innovation Park launched its Tech4Regeneration program to support start-ups whose solutions can have a regenerative impact if we help them bring them to market on a large scale. The first 20 start-ups have now been selected. They will spend the next 9 months taking part in the acceleration program that includes training workshops, tailored coaching and contacts with industrial partners, customers and potential investors.

Nach dem Sprung in die Vorauswahl der Top 11 Anfang des Jahres, schafftes es drei Startups nun in die Finalrunde um den Pionierpreis 2024: Es sind dies Avelo, Decentriq und Stimit. Das Gewinner-Team wird am 7. Mai bei der Preisverleihung im Technopark Zürich mit einer Fördersumme von 100'000 Franken prämiert. Die anderen zwei Finalisten werden ebenfalls nicht leer ausgehen. Sie erwartet ein Preisgeld von je 10'000 Franken.

Das Fintech-Startup  Finpension schafft den «Hosenlupf» zur zweithöchsten FINMA-Lizenz als Wertpapierhaus. Nun wollen die Luzerner noch diesen Frühling ihre Anlagelösung für Privatvermögen anbieten und so schnell als möglich das Bewilligungsverfahren für die Banklizenz anstossen.

Zurich-based startup rrreefs, focused on regenerating degraded coral reefs with modular reef structures, has raised a total of CHF 420’000 in its first investment round from multiple investors. The funds will facilitate scaling up operations globally.

Up to 25 early-stage startups will have the opportunity to advance their solutions during two months with experts from across the globe as part of the newly launched accelerator program, InnoQube Startup Program. Registration is open until April 1.

Lors de la 5e édition de RENT Swiss, un événement B2B majeur au SwissTech Convention Center réunissant les professionnels des secteurs immobilier et institutionnel de Suisse romande, les startups iGère, Oxara, Refreshing Unit et Big Sack ont remporté le Prix de l'Innovation, une récompense importante dans le domaine de la proptech.

FDA approved Idorsia’s hypertension drug. Its the first oral anti-hypertensive therapy which works via a new therapeutic pathway to be approved in almost 40 years. iOnctura obtained FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation for its autotaxin cancer therapy. And TORQUR announced the publication of promising phase 1 clinical trial results for bimiralisib, its innovative anti-cancer drug candidate.

The Geneva-based medical device company Spineart already has a turnover of over €100 million and is continuing to expand. A new investment will enable the establishment of new production and training centres in Switzerland and the USA as well as the continued follow-up of patients enrolled in two clinical trials in which a new product for cervical disc replacement is being tested.

CustomSurg, provider of data-driven, end-to-end solutions for faster surgeries on complex bone fractures, has obtained an undisclosed amount in its funding round led by US East Coast Fund CHMBR Partners LLC. The funds will be used to accelerate the FDA regulatory application process and launch the first-in-human study and establish its presence in the US market.

Swiss quantitative asset management startup Alquant and Leonteq have started their collaboration with the launch of three novel ETPs+. The collaboration aims to make innovative investment strategies and advanced investment technologies accessible to a broad group of investors. Alquant currently serves over 50 clients. The partnership with Leonteq is a prime example within its quant-as-a-service offerings.

Schlieren-based startup OBaris is developing a novel technique for painless administration of injectable drugs. Shortly after receiving an InnoBooster grant, the ETH spinoff convinced the Venture Kick jury in the last selection round, earning CHF 150'000 to validate its regulatory strategy, connect with the FDA, and scale-up manufacturing. 

Weev, a Zurich-based platform that connects brands and suppliers in the shoe, leather and clothing industry, has secured a substantial investment and advisory support from Salesforce boss Marc Benioff. This marks the investor's first investment in Switzerland.

With Resistell’s device physicians get crucial antimicrobial resistance information in hours instead of days. This is confirmed by the results of a study that have been published in a peer-reviewed article in the Nature Communications journal. The publication marks the completion of the company’s technology validation stage and showcases the potential of the Resistell nanomotion technology platform as a diagnostic in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Earlier this year, climatetech startup Crosstown H2R made a debut after partnering with Sulzer to decarbonize gas turbines using the startup’s H2R burner solution. Fortum has also joined forces with the Baden-based startup to accelerate the shift to zero-carbon energy production. With these partnerships alone the startup will be installing into 100s of gas turbines. In addition, Crosstown secured €2 million to propel technology advancements. 

Die Standortförderung Uri und das Urner Startup Moodtalk wollen den Erfahrungsaustausch unter Jungunternehmen mit skalierbaren und innovativen Geschäftsideen erleichtern und damit das Unternehmertum im Kanton Uri weiter stärken. Zu diesem Zweck wurde am vergangenen Mittwoch das Gründernetzwerk Gipfelsicht lanciert.

Swiss startups have continued to impress juries across the world with their solutions, scoring the top spot in the competitions. The startups took home diverse prizes, including a 6-month partnership to create a proof of concept.

PeriVision, an innovative spin-off from the University of Bern and the University Hospital Bern, just announced the FDA registration for its first medical software product VisionOne. Currently launching its VR-based eye test in the United States, PeriVision has ambitious plans to gain traction on several markets.

Zurich-based startup MidFunder, the provider of non-dilutive funding to companies has joined the Levenue family, a leading player in the revenue-based financing sector. This acquisition allows Levenue to solidify its operations in the Swiss market.

La HEIG-VD vous ouvre ses portes ! Le 23 mars prochain, venez découvrir ses activités et projets à l’occasion des Portes ouvertes 2024. Entre ingénierie et gestion, la HEIG-VD se caractérise par son engagement pour un avenir durable à travers l’enseignement et la recherche. Inscrivez-vous pour ne rien manquer de cet événement tout public.

Dive into the world of AI entrepreneurship at our “AI Insights: Navigating the Startup Journey with Data” event, in collaboration with ETH Zurich and Impact Hub Zurich.

Verbesserern Sie Ihre Investoren-Skills an unserem Education-Seminar. Damit sind Sie gewappnet für innovative Startups mit bahnbrechenden Innovationen!

This annual event is tailored for master’s and PhD students, young professionals and academic researchers aspiring to make their mark in the life sciences. The event offers the opportunity to explore StartLab, the life sciences incubator nurturing innovative start-ups and to connect with seasoned entrepreneurs, gaining valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Im Zentrum des pan.talks steht die faszinierende Erfolgsgeschichte von Inyova, der führenden Plattform für «Impact Investing».

Are you a startup and want to learn about incentive plans for employees and consultants from a tax, legal and strategic perspective?

Take a startup deep dive an join us for lunch! The Venture Briefing event series is designed to help students with an intent to pursue entrepreneurship take their first steps towards building a successful company.

L’obiettivo principale è quello di favorire l’incontro tra startup e investitrici e investitori, stimolando la cultura dell’innovazione nel nostro Cantone. Quest’anno al centro del dibattito vi sarà il tema di come colmare il divario di genere nel mondo delle startup, sostenendo le donne fondatrici. 

Vous souhaitez réaliser un nouveau projet. TalentisLAB, réseau de coachs spécialisé en économie touristique, accompagne des entrepreneurs depuis 2017. Sa spécialité : Le tourisme !

Venture Kick is an initiative from private donors. Potential entrepreneurs from Swiss colleges and universities present their business ideas to the jury of Venture Kick, with the chance to win seed capital of up to CHF 150,000 over three stages. The first stage is the Venture Pitch: eight project teams compete against each other, with five teams receiving CHF 10,000 each and continuing further in the competition.

5-day intensive course for Start-ups in Advanced Engineering

Venture Kick is an initiative from private donors. Potential entrepreneurs from Swiss colleges and universities present their business ideas to the jury of Venture Kick, with the chance to win seed capital of up to CHF 150,000 over three stages. The second stage is the Venture Case: five project teams compete against each other, with three teams receiving CHF 40,000 each and continuing further in the competition.

Das etwas anderes Business-Festival im Herzen von Bern. Vergiss langweilige Vorträge und steife Netzwerktreffen. Innovation? Bei uns mehr als nur ein Buzzword und ein Begriff, der in jeder Branche eine andere Bedeutung hat. Bei uns hast du die Gelegenheit, diese Vielfalt aus erster Hand zu erleben. Wir bieten dir Talks und Keynotes, die dich wirklich vom Hocker hauen. Und Networking? Stell dir vor, du triffst die coolsten Köpfe aus allen Branchen

Delve into the realm of intellectual property (IP) strategy at our “IP Insights: Crafting Your Startup’s Intellectual Property Strategy” event, presented in collaboration with the UZH Innovation Hub and Impact Hub Zurich.

Am «Tag des Gründens Zug 2024» wird gelernt, was es zur Vorbereitung, Gründung und zum Start einer neuen Firma braucht. Worauf kommts an? Do’s and Dont’s, Tipps & Tricks.

The Swiss Consulate in Canada is organising a two-week series of events, including an online Startup Series (masterclass and pitch workshop) for Swiss startups and SMEs interested in learning more about the Canadian cleantech ecosystem. Registration is open.

Erfahre, wie du dein Start-up finanzieren kannst und welche Möglichkeiten es gibt, Kapital zu beschaffen. Von traditionellen Investor*innen bis zu innovativen Finanzierungsmethoden – dieser Event gibt Einblicke in die verschiedenen Wege zur Kapitalbeschaffung.

Rejoignez-nous pour une interview exclusive avec Pascal Meyer, un entrepreneur visionnaire qui dirige QoQa en tant que 'Loutre en Chef' et fondateur depuis décembre 2005.

Venture Kick is an initiative from private donors. Potential entrepreneurs from Swiss colleges and universities present their business ideas to the jury of Venture Kick, with the chance to win seed capital of up to CHF 150,000 over three stages. The third and last stage is the Venture Kick: four project teams compete against each other, with two teams receiving the final kick of CHF 100,000 each.

The healthtech event will act as a nexus between the healthcare, tech, government, and research sectors, providing an open forum for everyone – from professionals and entrepreneurs to investors and policymakers – to discuss the latest trends, technologies, and strategies poised to transform healthcare.

Hosted by Startup Network Europe, and sponsored by TikTok for Business, the Zurich Startup Conference 2024 will gather hundreds of Startup Founders, CXOs, Investors, and more, from Zurich. The event is free of charge.