September 12, 2015
Fintech on an upward swing
Dear reader
Fintech Fusion, a new fintech accelerator in the Geneva suburb of Carouge, received more than 100 applications when places were advertised worldwide. Now the initiators from the venture capital firm Polytech Ventures have chosen 10 start-ups, four of which come from Switzerland, the others from Europe and Asia. They should, as the motto of the accelerator says, move ‘from beta to revenues’ within 12 months.
The message makes it clear that Switzerland has become a global hub of the fintech industry. Potential founders find everything they need here: a dynamic financial centre, high legal security and software experts who are familiar with the requirements of banks and insurance companies.
Switzerland is also a hot spot for medtech: in Bern, the CTI Swiss Medtech Award went to Basel-based Advanced Osteotomy Tools AOT AG – its laser-based surgical robot ‘Carlo’ has become an international sensation.
Although it may take a while for contactless surgery to become routine, the external rechargers from Zurich-based company Battere will establish themselves a little faster. In spring, Battere joined SBB’s start-up programme; now its mobile phone chargers are available at nine railway stations.
The funding landscape is also showing signs of dynamism: on Wednesday, the Senate approved guarantees in the amount of CHF350 million for the construction of the national lighthouse project Swiss Innovation Park.
Finally, as always, a look into the coming week: on Tuesday, the deadline expires for the first 'true' elevator pitch of CTI Invest. The Top 100 Startups 2015 are presented in Lausanne on Wednesday, and the new Impact Hub Zurich Colab opens on Friday at Sihlquai.
Have a good weekend.
Jost Dubacher
Managing Editor, startupticker.ch
News
.png "FUSION, Switzerland’s first fintech accelerator, selects its first intake"){kind=logo}
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". 
