Dear reader
Nematodes account for as much as USD 150 billion in crop losses globally each year. Now Syngenta has launched the first commercial digital diagnosis and mapping solution for harmful nematode pests, based on the evaluation of images taken by satellite. This attempt to counteract the general food shortage uses technology from EPFL spin-off Gamaya.
Auxivo’s product helps to combat a completely different but equally deep-seated problem. A lack of employees is common in many industries today. The Auxivo LiftSuit, which supports back and hip muscles when lifting objects, is now being used in the shops of Migros Ostschweiz and should make these jobs significantly more attractive.
BMW relies on technology from L.E.S.S. in order to save energy and weight, create new design possibilities and provide ultra-bright and ultra-uniform light. These start-ups mentioned are just three examples of how big companies rely on the innovations of Swiss start-up; other examples and corporates, including Credit Suisse and Generali, can be found in the linked articles.
However, Swiss start-ups are not only able to attract large companies. Three Swiss founders –Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher from Climeworks and Andy Yen from Proton – can be found on TIME 100 Next, a list compiled by Time Magazine that recognises 100 rising stars worldwide from across industries.
By the way, I saw Andy Yen at Fongit’s 30th anniversary event this week. Proton is one of a total of 250 start-ups supported by the Geneva incubator.
Speaking of support, two sustainable start-ups secured CHF 150,000 each at Venture Kick this week: Solaxer works in the emerging market of solar heat for industrial processes and Cultivated Biosciences is developing a plant-based alternative to cream.
In addition to the established services, new initiatives continue to emerge. The Future of Health Grant programme supports innovation in digital healthcare and has now announced the names of the first 10 start-ups to be supported. The winner of the first IMD Venture Award has also been determined and we have an article about the participants in the third Israeli-Swiss Lean Launchpad programme.
Applications are now open for the 25th edition of the IMD Startup Competition. The registration period for the LeadiNNg to Scale-Up programme from Innovaud and IMD runs until 5 October. The tender for the Academia-Industry Training (AIT) Singapore has also opened and registration for Innosuisse Scale-up Coaching is open until Sunday.
Next week, Trust Valley Day will take place in Lausanne on Thursday: my colleague Eugène Schön will be there. In addition, Digital Health Day will take place in Zurich on Tuesday.
Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora
Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch