Migros Bank and the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) are addressing performance and safety concerns regarding their own operational AI, as well as external cyberattacks. They have chosen Swiss startups to support them: ETH spinoff LatticeFlow teamed up with DEKRA to perform an AI assessment for Migros Bank, and Zurich-based startup xorlab ensures increased email security for CERN.

Under their new collaboration and licence agreement, Novo Nordisk has obtained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize EraCal’s oral-active anti-obesity drug, a first-in-class appetite suppressor. In return, the Swiss startup is eligible for up to €235 million in payments. With its own weight-loss drug Wegovy, Novo Nordisk has become the most valuable company in Europe in 2023.

Taurus’ digital asset trading facility TDX and its financial services at large are now open to retail clients following FINMA approval. In addition to professional clients, retail clients can now create an account and trade digital assets and tokenized securities. Taurus also announces a new list of issuers that selected TDX as a preferred venue to trade their digital securities, including well-known Investis Group, la Mobilière, Qoqa, SCCF, Swissroc, and Teylor.  

Swiss-Mile, a spinoff of ETH Zurich, is bringing artificial intelligence to the world of robotics, enabling them to learn and adapt to different environments. The startup has developed a hybrid system that combines wheels and legs, allowing robots to navigate and perform tasks across various terrains. The company has already secured paying customers and a financing round of CHF 3.5 million, pushing it into the commercialisation phase.

Der Schweizer Marktführer für Auto-Abos Carvolution sichert sich eine Asset-Backed Finanzierung in der Höhe von bis zu 200 Millionen Franken. Unter den neuen Geldgebern ist die britische Bank Barclays. Das Oberaargauer Startup wird mit dem frischen Kapital seine Fahrzeug-Flotte weiter ausbauen.

Dank zahlreichen neuen Kunden konnte Yokoy den Umsatz im vergangenen Jahr deutlich erhöhen. Wie viele andere gut finanzierte Scale-ups auch verbesserte das Fintech zudem die Profitabilität. Allerdings kam das Schweizer Startup dabei ohne tiefgreifende Sparrunden aus.

Juries from different International programs such as UpLink accelerator, the CES Honoree and the TechTour have acknowledged the quality of solutions and innovation prowess of Swiss startups, giving them a spot on the winners’ podium.

The b-rayZ Data Adaptive Neural Artificial Intelligence technology is poised to redefine AI capabilities in breast imaging, offering a groundbreaking Custom AI framework for efficient, accurate, and sustainable mammography screening and diagnostics. The technology has obtained the CE Mark, paving the way for the startup to offer a complete end-to-end AI platform solution for breast imaging.

DOPPL, a leader in organoid engineering for disease modelling and personalised medicine, has received a Tech Growth loan of CHF 500,000 from the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT), while Rea Diagnostics, specialising in the detection of premature births, has received a Tech Seed loan of CHF 100,000.

OneTwenty AG, a medtech startup offering a diabetes management platform, has closed its first financing round led by renowned health technology VC Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures. The investment will propel the commercialisation of its AI-driven algorithms that enhance the functionality of diabetes devices.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the launch of Phase 1 of the “first-in-human” clinical trial for Synendos Therapeutics’ lead candidate, SYT-510. It is a first-in-class agent aimed at restoring healthy brain physiology in patients suffering from Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders. The clinical trial will investigate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of the drug candidate.  

The Dental Innovation Alliance (DIA), an investment firm consisting of dental industry executives, has announced its investment in the Swiss startup Odne (former Lumendo). This investment serves as a recognition for Odne’s innovative solutions in dental health, coming just shortly after the FDA approval for their products, OdneFill and OdneCure, and will help facilitate Odne’s U.S. launch.

The Annual World Economic Forum in Davos is in full swing, with several activities happening within and around the event, including for startups. Open Forest Protocol, SmartPurse, Kooky and Elysium Labs were some of the sartups in the limelight.

Confirmant la pertinence de l'utilisation des données, la proptech Popety.io, active dans la prospection immobilière, annonce l'arrivée d'un nouvel investisseur stratégique, Romande Énergie. Acteur majeur de la décarbonisation en Suisse romande, le groupe qui poursuit le développement de son segment immobilier, va s'appuyer sur le savoir-faire de la startup genevoise pour renforcer son outil BRM (Building relationship management), lancé en mars 2023, utilisant les données pour accompagner la rénovation de son parc immobilier.

The race for sustainable solutions continues and Swiss startups have the solutions to accelerate the transition to a cleaner environment. The Innosuisse Innovation Council has awarded a certificate to four startups deemed ready for sustainable growth.

Die Ki-basierte Software von Resmonics ist in der Lage, Niesen oder Husten auszuwerten und Prognosen zu möglichen Atemwegserkrankungen abzugeben. Nun soll die Software gekoppelt mit einem Sensor in Gesundheitseinrichtungen zum Einsatz kommen und die Prävention von Patientinnen und Personal unterstützen. Derzeit läuft in drei Dialysezentren von Medizintechnik-Unternehmer B. Braun ein Pilotversuch.

Die Camping-Plattform Nomady baut sein Angebot an privaten Zelt- und Stellplätzen aus: Durch die Fusion mit MyCabin stehen kommende Saision mehr als doppelt so viele Standorte bereit - nebst der Schweiz und Italien nun auch in Deutschland und Österreich. Zudem soll künftig eine App das Planen und Buchen von Camping-Ferien im Alpenraum über die Plattform nochmals vereinfachen.

The ESA Business Incubation Center Switzerland has welcomed its newest cohort, comprising five startups using space technology to solve earth-related problems. Their solutions range from cooling, GNSS reference stations for precision-positioning, agricultural management tools based on earth observation data, and ridesharing to space, among others.

Das Batterie-Start-up BTRY erhält 900'000 Franken im Rahmen einer Pre-Seed-Finanzierung. Angeführt wird die Runde vom High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), daneben beteiligt sich die Zürcher Kantonalbank. Das Spin-off der Empa und ETH Zürich entwickelt sichere, langlebige Dünnschichtfestkörperbatterien, die sich in nur einer Minute auf- und entladen lassen.

Elosan hat seine grundlegende Entwicklungsphase definitiv abgeschlossen: In Zusammenarbeit mit der Schulthess Klinik hat das Startup aus dem St. Galler Rheintal in einer klinischen Studie seine Kabine zur Schmerztherapie auf Herz und Nieren geprüft. Nun sind die Studienergebnisse publik und die Vorbereitungen für den nächsten Wachstumsschritt und die Expansion nach Deutschland sind angelaufen.

This AG is the inventor, developer and manufacturer of Sophi (Swiss Ophthalmology Innovation), an innovative device for eye surgery. The St. Gallen-based startup will be joining the Rayner family, a global leader in products for cataract surgery company based in Worthing, UK.

Four startups from different sectors have made leadership changes to support their growth plans. The appointed leaders will leverage their rich experience from their respective industries to support their companies pursue their ambitions.

With an annual growth of 300% in 2023 and 300,000 app downloads, Bitcoin-only app Relai has remained a popular solution in the crypto scene. The startup has obtained capital from prominent Swiss and European investors to expand its product offering and turn up its marketing efforts.

Timeline, a Swiss biotech at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for healthy aging and longevity, today announces that it raised CHF 56M (USD 66M) in an oversubscribed Series D financing round. This marks a significant milestone for the company and includes strategic investments from two global industry leaders—L’Oréal and Nestlé.

Swiss cybersecurity startup Tune Insight is set to lead a 1.8 million Euro project for privacy-preserving machine learning on Electronic Health Records (EHR) in pediatric emergency care across Italian and Swiss hospitals. The project is funded by the Eurostars program.

Yesterday, five startups entered the Büro Züri Innovationspark by Zürcher Kantonalbank, joining two startups that extended their stay to one more year. The solutions proposed by the new cohort aim to address energy and medical logistics challenges as well as to ensure operational excellence on construction sites with Robotic On-Site Technologies.

Stalicla SA, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing precision medicine pipelines for neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, successfully completed the first closing of its Series B financing round, securing $17.4 million.

Nach gut einem halben Jahr am Markt schielt das ETH Spin-off Scandens bereits in Richtung Expansion. Die Software zur Planung von Immobilien-Sanierungen kommt bei einer stetig wachsenden Anzahl von Beratungsunternehmen und institutionellen Immobilien-Eigentümern zum Einsatz.

With the receipt of the European Medical Device Regulation for its AI blood test interpretation software, Smart Blood Analytics Swiss has become one of the ten medtech companies with this certification. 

Zelsius and TexUp are developing a carbon management platform and acoustic panels from recycled textiles. Being part of the First Ventures Program gives the startups access to up to CHF 150’000 and non-financial support to make progress.

Spexis, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on macrocycle therapeutics for rare diseases and oncology, has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd to for its preclinical program of antibiotics from a novel class targeting Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. With an upfront payment of CHF 2 million to Spexis, this transaction is part of Spexis’ efforts to partner or divest non-core programs and assets as the company works through its moratorium status.

One year following its incorporation, Enantios is making strides with its measurement technology to enable users to determine the structure of complex chiral molecules and biologics. With first partners already using the solution, the startup continues to secure funding to accelerate the time to market. The latest funding round involved S2S Ventures and the Zürcher Kantonbank.

Das Dübendorfer Startup swiss moonshot hat mit seiner Plattform aiaibot für KI-gestützten Kundendienst die Gewinnschwelle erreicht. Jetzt konkretisiert das Jungunternehmen seine Expansionspläne für Deutschland und Grossbritannien.

Discussions on the current energy crisis, circularity and climate change have remained a priority for several large organisations and governments. They have designed programs to promote and recognise new solutions that tackle these challenges. Two startups whose technologies stand out have won prizes. Not far from the energy sector is semiconductor startup 4K Mems, which secured a place in the Silicon Catalyst program.

Since its launch as an independent company in 2019, ImmuniWeb has remained cashflow positive, thanks to the continued support of its customers. The bootstrapped company closed 2023 on a high note, recording a 30 percent year-on-year sales growth and more than 200 new customers in over 50 countries.

After successfully running more than 10 paid pilot projects in Switzerland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Israel and the US, Sparrow Analytics is in high demand. The Swiss startup which was able to secure CHF550k in a pre-seed round as well as grants and loans from the Canton de Vaud is poised to become a global platform for collecting, harvesting, and processing data for urban environments.

Helio makes cloud computing more affordable, faster and more sustainable at the same time. Wecheer helps consumer brands that depend on 3rd party distribution to manage customer loyalty. In the medical sector Qumea and Annaida offer solutions to detect and monitor falls and enhance invitro fertilization, respectively. The four solutions impressed the Innosuisse Innovation Council, who awarded them the Innosuisse Certificate.

21Shares, the issuer of the world’s largest suite of cryptocurrency-backed exchange-traded products (ETPs), and Cathie Wood’s ARK Investment Management LLC, the first retail fund manager to invest in bitcoin in 2015, have launched ARKB, the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF. This announcement comes shortly after the US Securities Exchange Commission approved the listing and trading of a number of spot bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) shares.

Valrhona, the chocolate maker committed to a fair and sustainable cocoa industry, and Geneva startup Fly-Box, which develops innovative and eco-responsible solutions for the transport of goods, are today joining forces to combine their logistical expertise to create a sustainable and high-performance end-to-end maritime service.

Das St. Galler Startup COHAGA hat zusätzlich zu seinem Adressdaten-Geschäft ein AI-basiertes Tool «AddressCare» lanciert, mit dem Unternehmen ihre Firmenadressdaten auf Fehler analysieren lassen können. Mittlerweile generiert das Jungunternehmen Umsätze im siebenstelligen Bereich und baut sein Sales-Team stark aus.

Enerdrape announces the successful conclusion of a CHF 1.3 million seed financing round, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey as pioneers in introducing the world's first prefabricated geothermal panel technology. Swiss investors, including Après-demain through the initiative GeneRActions Planet and Romande Energie played a pivotal role in this seed round, aligning themselves with enerdrape's vision for a sustainable future.

Rivero, a European Fintech specialising in digitalisation and automating payment processes, has raised $7 million (CHF 6.1) in a Series A round. The investment will help Rivero accelerate its growth across new markets and boost its product development and workforce.

ABB has acquired Swiss start-up Sevensense, a leading provider of AI-enabled 3D vision navigation technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Sevensense was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Swiss technical University, ETH Zurich. The acquisition follows ABB’s minority investment in Sevensense after it joined the company’s innovation ecosystem in 2021.

Amidst their accelerated growth, three startups have made leadership changes to fast-track their journey. While Depoly and Board Owl appointed a new Chief financial officer and Chief Executive Officer, respectively, Hair & Skin created multiple new roles to fuel business development.

L'Oréal just signed an agreement to acquire the outstanding shares of Biel-based Gjosa, the Swiss startup pioneering water fractioning technology. L'Oréal has already started a partnership with Gjosa to launch the L'Oréal Professionnel Water Saver professional showerhead, named in TIME Magazine's "100 Best Inventions of the Year" in 2021. The plan is to continue the roll-out to over 200,000 salons worldwide in the coming years.

Das Luzerner Startup tilbago bietet Unternehmen aus verschiedenen Branchen mit seiner Software die Möglichkeit, Inkasso-Prozesse mit smarter Unterstützung selbstständig abzuwickeln. Mit Erfolg: «RoboInkasso» entwickelt sich immer mehr zum Branchenstandard. Mittlerweile nutzen schweizweit über 2000 Kunden wie Finanzdienstleister, öffentliche Verwaltungen oder Gesundheitsdienstleister die Lösung von tilbago.

Die Konzentration auf Wocheneinkäufe und die Sparmassnahmen zeigen Wirkung bei Farmy. Der Onlinesupermarkt verzeichnete 2023 zwar einen Umsatzrückgang von knapp einem Viertel – operativ konnten aber schwarze Zahlen geschrieben werden.

Access to capital is challenging, particularly for deeptech startups. The newly launched Kickfund Ventures Fund, with CHF 70 million Assets Under Management, aims to provide up to CHF 850,000 in funding to pre-seed and seed-stage deep tech startups that win the third stage of the Venture Kick program. We spoke to Wanja Humanes, CEO of Kickfund, to enlighten us on the Fund’s mission and its plans for this year.

Die Stadt Zürich setzt mit KlimUp ein neues Förderelement ein, um die Entwicklung und Umsetzung von innovativen Beiträgen zum städtischen Klimaziel («Netto-Null») oder zur intelligenten Ressourcennutzung zu unterstützen. Für Innovationen von Startups in Frühphase kann die Fachkommission Förderbeiträge zwischen 35'000 und 250'000 Franken sprechen. Insgesamt hat die Stadt für das Förderprogramm 14 Millionen Franken bereitgestellt.

Das 2015 gegründete Schweizer Start-up Koch & Gsell hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren vor allem als Produzentin reiner Schweizer Tabak- und Hanfzigaretten einen Namen gemacht. Nun ist die Firma insolvent. Gründe sind das Ende des Hanfhypes, die zurückhaltende Konsumentenstimmung und das raue Investitionsklima.