Four ways to trigger the next stage

Dear reader

Growth capital is still scarce in Switzerland, so the success of Lunaphore and Aleva Neurotherapeutics is all the more important. Lunaphore is developing a new diagnostic technology for cancer tissue testing, and this week announced the completion of a financing round of CHF6 million. The new funds will pave the way to the market for the start-up. Aleva develops implants for deep brain stimulation therapy, which is used, for example, in Parkinson’s disease. The EPFL spin-off, which has now received almost CHF50 million in capital, will use the money to obtain market approval.

In addition to financing rounds, partnerships are also a common way for start-ups to trigger the next stage. This week, a strategic partnership between Sunflower Labs, a start-up that makes drones for use in alarm systems, and US company Stanley Black & Decker was particularly noteworthy. Among other things, the two will develop products together.

The virtual reality start-up Artanim has chosen a somewhat more unusual path. With investors including MGM and Steven Spielberg, it has founded the joint venture Dreamscape Immersive. Now one of the US’s largest cinema chains has become involved in Dreamscape to the tune of CHF20 million.

The Terria Mobile team also wants to get to the next stage. The young company from Basel, which specialises in the development of mobile applications, has been taken under the wing of KPMG.

However, Swiss start-ups not only appeal to investors and large companies. The fintech start-up Carbon Delta received an award at the European Fintech Awards 2017 this week.

Speaking of awards, the application period for Prix Strategis opened this week. The prize, which is endowed with CHF50,000, is also open to start-ups from German-speaking Switzerland.

Swiss Startup Days are coming. More than 550 people have registered for the event on 24 and 25 October, and more than 850 one-to-one meetings have already been booked. The programme of the two days is now fixed, and both days will have panels with high-profile participants. Once again, I would like to point out the new Startup Night on the first day and the new Musketeer Award, which recognises individual supporters and support organisations. Public voting runs until 25 October. By the way, a special offer is open to start-ups: the second ticket is free.

Have an enjoyable weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch