The Swiss startup ecosystem is a melting pot of creativity, talent, and opportunity. With incubators, universities and government to support, every aspect of the startup ecosystem contributes to its vibrancy and success.
Despite its modest size, Switzerland punches above its weight in terms of investment capital. With one of the highest VC funding per capita in Europe, Switzerland attracts investors from around the globe. In fact, according to Dealroom, a staggering €1.5 billion was invested in DeepTech ventures in 2022, showcasing its expertise in delivering innovative technology.
The success stories of Swiss startups often trace back to academia. Ranked among the global leaders in Computer Science, ETH Zurich, following only Oxford, Stanford, and MIT, has played a pivotal role in generating numerous spinouts, several of which are featured in our list below. With a strong focus on deep tech, Switzerland continues to lead the way in innovation, with its startups making waves on the global stage.
Government support further bolsters the startup landscape, with grants, loans, and awards paving the way for budding entrepreneurs to turn their visions into reality. Incubators and accelerators are providing the nurturing environment needed for founders to transform ideas into successful businesses while universities play a pivotal role in fostering this culture of innovation.
In this thriving ecosystem, the possibilities for Swiss startups are limitless. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most innovative startups, all founded post-2022, emerging from Switzerland’s dynamic landscape:
CarbonPool: Zürich-based CarbonPool provides credit insurance with claims payments made in-kind, ensuring companies can guarantee the carbon credits that they buy materialise. Founded in 2023, the startup secured €12 million to build the world’s first insurance company with a carbon credit balance sheet.
Chiral Nano: Founded in 2023, Chiral utilises nanotechnology, specifically graphene, in minute quantities, integrating them into devices with advanced robotics for smaller transistors. Securing €3.6 million, the Zürich-based startup aims to enhance its robotic machine for broader microchip manufacturing capabilities.
FimmCyte: Basel-based FimmCyte is a biotech startup dedicated to women’s health aiming to create the first disease-modifying treatment for endometriosis. Founded in 2022 as a spin-off from the University of Zürich and the University Hospital Zürich, FimmCyte raised €3.2 million to reprogram the immune system for targeted disease treatment.
Hive: Geneve-based HiveNet is a secure and sustainable cloud platform that utilises unused computing resources from a distributed network of computers. Founded in 2022, the startup secured €7 million to empower users to own and control their data, fostering a more secure and sustainable digital environment.
Jua: Freienbach-based Jua uses machine learning and AI models to assist in power and demand forecasting for the energy sector. Targeting industries such as energy, agriculture, and transportation, Jua aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change by offering advanced predictive capabilities. Founded in 2022, the startup raised €20 million to identify potential weather-related risks to energy grids.
Navignostics: Founded in 2022, Navignostics uses spatial single-cell proteomics to personalise cancer treatment, speeding up drug development and enabling precision diagnostics. The Zürich-based startup secured €8.9 million to leverage its unique tumour analysis approaches to improve personalised diagnostics for cancer patients.
Planetary: Geneva-based Planetary specialises in fermentation technology for alternative proteins. Founded in 2022, Planetary aims to revolutionise animal mass farming with sustainable, large-scale alternative protein production. The startup raised €10.6 million for their expansion plans which include global coverage by 2030.
Swiss Mile: Founded in 2023 as a spinoff from ETH Zurich, Swiss-Mile Robotics specialises in wheeled-legged robots with AI-based autonomy to improve upon existing mobile robot designs. The startup secured €3.2 million in funding to develop robots capable of enhancing efficiency across various industries.
Terralayr: Zug-based Terralayr uses software to collect energy grid-scale storage, collaborating with companies requiring electricity through long-term power purchase agreements to ensure income certainty and project stability. Founded in 2022, Terralayr secured €20 million to further develop its technology.
Voltiris:
Lausanne-based Voltiris offers a breakthrough solution for greenhouse growers, saving energy and enhancing food system resilience. Founded in 2022, they raised €1.7 million to refine and scale their collaboration with greenhouse partners, aiming to help growers secure energy prices and focus on crop cultivation.
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