March 31, 2014
Finalists in the spotlight
Dear Reader
The WA de Vigier Foundation prize is not only one of the most important awards in Switzerland, but also one of the oldest, steeped in tradition. However, the tradition does not preclude new features. This year, the foundation has published for the first time the names of the 10 finalists (in German and French), which are vying for five prizes of CHF100,000 of start-up capital. Similarly, this week Prix Strategis made known the three finalists of its competition.
The publication of the names of finalists is a relatively recent phenomenon in Switzerland. In the US, it has long been commonplace and a typical example is Red Herring. The internet platform not only publishes its Top 100 Startup lists in advance, but with each list an even greater number of finalists. This week the finalists of the Red Herring Top 100 Europe were announced, among them 14 Swiss start-ups.
The publication of the finalists makes sense. First, it ensures transparency and, second, the quality and quantity of Swiss start-ups have increased and with the finalists more companies are able to obtain a share of the limelight. The high level in Switzerland, even at regional competitions outside the main start-up hotspots, is shown by the Zug-based Young Entrepreneur Award and the Régionyon award, which has just been won by micro-tech company Sensima Inspection.
In addition, this week two start-ups succeeded in attracting investors. Scandit generated $5.5 million and Gryps received CHF1 million. Madiha Derouazi of Amal Therapeutics reveals how to get investors in our article. She succeeded in being the first Swiss start-up to receive an investment from the German venture capital firm High-Tech Gründerfonds.
In addition, this week saw two pleasing examples of the ‘maker’ mentality of Swiss founders. After two young entrepreneurs were unable to find a suitable accounting solution on the market, they developed their own and now offer it free, under the name CashCTRL, to other start-ups. And thanks to the newly founded Anio Services, a disused logistics centre will soon be back in operation.
Numerous events are again taking place next week. I would like to recommend the first Mobile Day on the topic of tourism in Thun on Tuesday, and the foreign business forum in Zurich on Thursday.
Finally, a message from us: we have gained two more supporters with financial solutions firm AFEX and Startfeld, the platform for innovation and business start-ups in eastern Switzerland. We appreciate the support.
Have a sunny weekend
Stefan Kyora
Managing Editor, 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". 
