February 22, 2019
Getting ready for growth
Dear reader
For many years, there was a well-known pattern in the Swiss start-up scene: companies developed a high-tech product for a niche market and from then on served this mostly small, clear market. But now an increasing number of start-ups are focusing on growth. The challenge is that good technology alone is not enough – and cleantech start-up Insolight is aware of this challenge. It has developed innovative solar panels in less than three years and produced a pre-series, which in independent tests reached a sensationally high efficiency of 29%. Now the start-up is working on an industrialisation strategy that may also involve established partners.
Biel start-up Touchless Automation also sought a partnership with an established company, and the company’s second product has been developed in collaboration with a leading Swiss supplier of automation solutions.
Biolingus relies on collaboration for faster market access. The biotech company wants to open up the world market together with a Chinese group.
Skycell is already in the middle of its growth phase. Eight of the 20 largest pharmaceutical companies use the Zurich company’s box for medical transport in cargo aircraft. Now, Skycell has closed a Series B financing round with Credit Suisse, creating an important foundation for further growth.
Funding for further expansion was also secured by Caru, AnnaNow, Embotech, Carvolution and Fotokite, with Credit Suisse again one of the investors. The big bank is also showing signs of growth in terms of risk capital: the funds for Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd have been increased from CHF 130 million to CHF 200 million.
The right framework conditions can promote growth – and here too something is happening. This week, the Startup Manifesto, which calls for a start-up visa and improvement in employee participation plans, was handed over to federal councillor Guy Parmelin.
Next week, the well-attended Swiss Security Days will take place in Fribourg. In Zug, the IFZ Fintech Conference will be held with the presentation of the IFZ Fintech Study, and at the IFJ Special Event in St. Gallen, FDP national councillor and digitec co-founder Marcel Dobler will talk about his success.
Several deadlines are approaching: registration for the next Swiss Prime Site Accelerator Workshop on cleantech and sustainability closes on 24 February, and applications are open for the Fashion Innovation Award, the Digital Commerce Awards and the Swiss Medtech Award until 28 February.
Have a good weekend
Stefan Kyora
Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch
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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". 
