October 18, 2024
The right support
Dear reader
A food revolution is rapidly advancing in Switzerland driven by start-ups that are developing sustainable solutions to changing eating habits. Zurich-based start-up UMAMI’s holistic farming approach allows it to grow microgreens and herbs year-round in indoor biospheres. Its products are available in 450 Coop supermarkets, and the recent funding round of CHF 4 million will allow the company to scale up its production capacity. ETH Zurich spin-off sallea, which develops edible scaffolds for cultivated meat and fish, has secured USD 2.6 million in a pre-seed funding round that will enable it to accelerate product development and launch pilot projects with partners.
Through its RetinAI Discovery platform for management and analysis of medical imaging data in ophthalmology, Ikerian also relies on industry partners to bring solutions to clients. The Bern-based start-up has raised USD 8 million in the first closing of its series B funding led by European ophthalmology network Sanoptis. The investment includes a commercial agreement to distribute the Discovery platform across Sanoptis’ clinics in Europe.
Zurich-based proptech start-up Residenture has begun a collaboration with German broker CRM provider onOffice. Its fully digitalised platform for online property auctions will be integrated into onOffice’s CRM to accelerate growth and expansion into neighbouring countries. A six-figure investment from a business angel will give an additional boost.
This week we reported on about 10 investment rounds. Although equity funding rounds dominate the news, some organisations offer significant amounts to start-ups with no strings attached. REPIC (Renewable Energy, Energy and Resource Efficiency Promotion in Developing and Transition Countries) last year launched its Rollout instrument, which offers larger grants of up to CHF 500,000 to scale up pilot projects – three Swiss start-ups have already benefited. The federal platform, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is now accepting applications for its next edition.
Fintech start-up Numarics has merged with BKLB subsidiary radicant bank, just four years after its foundation. This strategic partnership will allow radicant to enhance its services through integration of Numarics’ innovative solutions, including its all-in-one digital financial management solution tailored for SMEs and independent professionals.
Numerous start-ups have achieved remarkable success by winning substantial cash and in-kind prizes in global competitions, including Tech4Trust with 13 Swiss start-ups. Many more opportunities are on the horizon, including ESA BIC and Prix Strategis on 31 October and Venture Leaders Mobile on 18 November. Innosuisse’s start-up camps organised by Swissnex for start-ups in robotics, consumertech and retailtech, and the industry agnostic camp await applications.
The following events are also open: >>venture>> 2025 – Kickoff Zurich on 21 October, Innosuisse funding for start-ups: what’s in it for me? on 22 October, and both the SECA Evening Event ‘Swiss VCs on Stage’ and the SEF.Growth Event with Zurich Insurance on 24 October. Meet me at the StartUpForum Aargau on 24 October.
Have a good weekend.
Ritah Ayebare Nyakato
Duty Editor, 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". 
