July 19, 2013
Start-ups look to the east
China is the third largest trading partner of Switzerland after the EU and the US. But does the huge Chinese market also offer business opportunities for Swiss start-ups? Certainly, says Pascal Marmier, executive director of swissnex China, as he explains in an interview with startupticker.ch. “Many foreign entrepreneurs are already active in this market and Swiss start-ups need to integrate China into their business plans.” This statement is confirmed by those already working there, such as young company Mila, which has great hopes for its interactive online marketplace for local services in China.
To help Swiss technology-oriented start-ups enter the Chinese market, the Commission for Technology and Innovation CTI, together with swissnex China in Shanghai, has launched the China Market Entry Camp. Its services include the provision of workplaces and contacts, local coaching and a customised visitor programme. The CTI has already had good experiences with Market Entry Camps in San Francisco and Boston, which have been in operation since 2010. Two dozen start-ups have already benefited from this support and completed the three-month camp.
There is good news this week for musicians who have seen their income slide from the declining CD business. In western Switzerland, the 22-year-old singer/songwriter Bastian Baker has teamed up with Lausanne start-up Coteries and developed an app that can download trailers, songs, photos and videos for an annual fee of CHF8. Fans can access exclusive content and Baker generates income
This week western Swiss company DomoSafety successfully completed a financing round of nearly CHF1 million. Agile Wind Power and Skyline Parking were also able to generate new funds, and the cleantec company Bluetector has completed a seed financing round, not least thanks to Zurich Cantonal Bank. ZKB is the bank for start-ups in Switzerland: it is one of the largest funders of technology start-ups in Switzerland and has been involved in more than 140 young companies.
When it comes to seed money, the WA de Vigier Foundation plays a central role in this country. Every year, five start-ups receive up to CHF100,000 each from the foundation’s start-up awards. The application process for next year’s awards opened today.
Startzentrum Zürich has announced a new start-up event for the coming autumn: on 17 September, the first trade fair for entrepreneurs and start-ups will take place at the Maag Event Hall in Zurich .
Have a happy summer weekend.
Claus Niedermann
Editor-in-Chief
startupticker.ch
News
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". 
