Convinced of the global potential

Dear reader

Start-ups can make the step abroad only if their founders are not alone in believing that the company can succeed internationally, since they need support from investors or partners. This week, we reported on several start-ups that had persuaded investors of their international potential. The brand management platform Frontify secured USD 8.3 million from a London venture capital firm. The new funds will be used to move into other European markets, and Latin America and the US.

The language travel start-up Klazz wants to use fresh funds from a seed financing round to supplement its offer with other destinations and become active in other markets. Capital for international growth was also received by VIU, which focuses on fashionable eyewear. The financing allows the five-year-old firm, which has already created more than 250 jobs, to accelerate internationalisation in key markets, such as the UK and France.

Meanwhile, large foreign companies in Switzerland are also looking for interesting start-ups. This has now benefited Creditgate24: the crowdlending company has won support from Spanish bank BBVA for its international expansion. Other positive news in growth abroad came from Sensimed: the medtech start-up and its Japanese distributor have received marketing approval for Japan.

The finalists of MassChallenge Switzerland – the names were announced this week – may also show the potential for global breakthrough. Just how fast the graduates of the accelerator programme can continue can be seen with Kitro. The start-up, which was at MassChallenge in 2017 and is developing a solution for food waste, has been able to conclude a financing round and is already planning to enter the market.

The Swiss crypto scene once again made headlines this week. A new report and a revised company directory allow interesting insights and show, for example, how many people in Switzerland are employed by which company in the sector. A closer reading is worthwhile.

Two event premieres take place in Zurich next week: on Tuesday, the first Swiss fintech trade fair will be held as part of Swiss Fintech Day, and on Thursday the first Agritech & Food Industry Event will take place, bringing together representatives of start-ups, large companies, politics, science and agriculture. The following week, on 25 October, the second Swiss Digital Day will bring digitalisation to life across Switzerland. At the weekend, a climathon will take place in Zurich – a hackathon for innovations in the field of climate. Registration is open until next Monday. Last but not least, I would like to draw your attention to the new ‘Business Growth for Social Entrepreneurs’ course, which begins at the end of October.

Have a sunny weekend.
Stefan Kyora 

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch