News

In the first nine months, more new companies were founded in Switzerland than ever before. According to a new report by IFJ a total of 33,617 new companies were founded in the first three quarters of 2020, an increase of +2.5% compared to the record year 2019. 

The selection committee of the Swiss BIC of CERN has nominated two startups and one SME to further contest in the final round of the competition. The winner will receive a one-time cash grant of CHF 50,000 and access to CERN’S expertise and infrastructure. 

In the recent announcements, Swiss start-ups have confirmed the receipt of EU grants as part of the Horizon2020 EIC pilot initiative. The funds will enable the recipients to accelerate the development of their solutions.

In just one year, advaisor AG has attracted large, established Swiss companies as customers allowing the company to move beyond the pre-revenue stage. The company has also won the Microsoft Partner of the Year Award.

Das Fintech-Unternehmen Descartes Finance ist ein unabhängiger digitaler Schweizer Vermögensverwalter und Anbieter von digitalen Vorsorgelösungen. Das Unternehmen wurde 2017 gegründet und seither von den Gründern ohne externe Finanzierung erfolgreich zur Marktreife gebracht. Nun hat es eine erste Finanzierungsrunde abgeschlossen.

Nach der UBS steigt mit Baloise ein zweiter Schweizer Finanzkonzern bei der digitalen Plattform für Haus- und Stockwerkeigentümer ein. Gute Kontakte zwischen dem Startup und der Versicherung bestanden bereits. Houzy-CEO Stefan Schärer war Investor und Verwaltungsrat von Movu. Die Umzugsplattform hatte die Baloise 2017 übernommen.

Seervision, the ETH spin-off company developing software for video production automation, has obtained three non-dilutive grants from the European Union. The startup now aims to extend its automation software with virtualization features that further lower the barrier of entry for new clients.

‘Knowledge Transfer and Corporate relations’ is one of two newly established vice presidencies at ETH Zurich. As of 1 January 2021, Vanessa Wood, an ETH Zurich Professor, Researcher and Co-founder of ETH Spin-off Battrion, will take the lead, succeeding Detlef Günther, the vice president ad interim.

Another round of awards presentation has concluded. The Women in Database Research Award went to Anastasia Ailamaki EPFL professor and Co-founder of Raw Labs while the EU prize for Women Innovators went to Madiha Derouazi, founder and CEO of Amal Therapeutics. Four tech startups were also recognised in two global competitions.

From September 14 – 25, 2020, 12 Swiss startups participated in a virtual startup bootcamp organised by swissnex Boston, swissnex in New York, in collaboration with Innosuisse. Twelve Swiss startups used the program to work on their internationalisation strategies and prepare for their trip.