Switzerland's startup ecosystem is highly advanced, with Zurich and Geneva being key hubs for innovation. As of 2023, Switzerland is home to around 5,000 startups. The Swiss government supports innovation through initiatives like Innosuisse and the Swiss National Science Foundation, which provide funding, resources, and mentorship for startups. In 2022, Swiss startups raised approximately €2 billion in venture capital. These factors collectively highlight Switzerland's dynamic and evolving startup landscape.
As of 2023, Switzerland's startup ecosystem includes around 5,000 startups. In 2022, these startups attracted approximately €2 billion in venture capital funding. This substantial investment underscores the ecosystem's growth potential and robust nature. The market's size and financial backing reflect its capacity to foster innovation and sustain a competitive edge within Europe and beyond.
Switzerland's startup ecosystem is characterized by several key strengths, including a highly educated workforce, a strong financial sector, and world-class research institutions. The country excels in sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and cleantech. These strengths are bolstered by Switzerland's robust industrial base and government support, positioning it as a leader in the European startup scene.
Zurich and Geneva are the primary hubs of Switzerland’s startup ecosystem. Zurich is known for its strengths in fintech, healthtech, and cleantech, attracting significant investments and producing notable startups like Climeworks and Nexthink. Geneva has a vibrant tech scene with strengths in biotech and international trade. These cities are instrumental in driving Switzerland's economic growth and technological advancements.
In addition to Zurich and Geneva, emerging hubs like Lausanne and Basel are gaining prominence in Switzerland’s startup ecosystem. Lausanne, home to EPFL, is strong in deep tech and medtech, while Basel is a hub for pharmaceuticals and life sciences. These emerging hubs are expanding the reach and diversity of Switzerland’s entrepreneurial landscape, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Switzerland’s startup ecosystem benefits from a strong network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces that provide essential support and resources for entrepreneurs. Initiatives like Venturelab and the Swiss Innovation Park have significantly boosted the ecosystem by offering mentorship, resources, and international exposure. This supportive infrastructure is crucial for nurturing early-stage companies and fostering a collaborative entrepreneurial environment.
Despite its strengths, the Swiss startup ecosystem faces challenges such as high living costs and regulatory complexities. Navigating these hurdles can be time-consuming and complex for startups. Addressing these issues requires strategic efforts and supportive policies to sustain growth and competitiveness in the global market.
Switzerland has significant opportunities for growth in sectors like fintech, healthtech, and cleantech. The country's strong focus on sustainability and green technology drives innovation in renewable energy and environmental technologies. Switzerland's strategic location in Europe and strong trade relationships provide startups with opportunities for international expansion. With continued investment and innovation, Switzerland's startup ecosystem is poised for further growth, contributing significantly to the European and global markets.
Switzerland's startup ecosystem demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability. The country's commitment to innovation, coupled with strong government and institutional support, enables startups to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The diverse talent pool and high level of digitalization attract entrepreneurs and investors alike, ensuring sustained growth and success in the face of global economic shifts and market dynamics.
Berlin, Switzerland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Media • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Entertainment (& Sports) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Advertising • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Mobility • Nanotechnology • Online Social • Consumer • Woman Focused
Lakestar is a European venture capital firm investing in technology companies led by exceptional entrepreneurs. Lakestar helps companies identify new markets and expand rapidly, with a focus on the US and Europe. Lakestar advises and supports portfolio companies in business development, recruitment, technology and marketing. The firm's investments range from early stage companies to those in their growth stage. Lakestar has presence in Berlin, Zurich and London.
Munich Germany - London - Zurich Switzerland - Paris France - Berlin Germany - Nice France - Stockholm Sweden - New York City (NY) - Vilnius Lithuania - San Diego California - Cambridge Massachusetts - Boston Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Media • Education • Businesses Solutions • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Food & Beverage • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness)
FOUNDER.org is an investor and company building program for student entrepreneurs who are solving big problems.
San Francisco Bay Area - San Mateo - California, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
BioTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Nanotechnology
Most Interested In
Pre-Seed: crypto, VR, AI, space, robotics, food, bio and Sci-Fi
Co-Founder @boost-vc - Investing in blockchain and virtual reality founders. Investor in 140 companies to date.
San Francisco Bay Area - London, U.K. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Analytics • Aerospace (& Defense) • Mobility • Nanotechnology
Most Interested In
Seraphim Capital is the worlds largest Venture Capital fund dedicated to investing in SpaceTech startups and enabling technologies. Also interested in technologies that spin-out from space applications.
Not Interested In
Consumer products, adtech or fintech.
Chicago - Miami - San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland - Singapore
AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • A.I. (& Big Data) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
Principal - VU Venture Partners
New York, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • AgroTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Aerospace (& Defense) • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
GPS (precision positioning, computer vision, AR), Geospatial Intelligence (ClimateTech, AgTech, InsurTech), and Satellite Communications (IoT, 5G).
Not Interested In
Aviation, UAV hardware.
Munich - Saint Gallen, Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • IT (& TMT) • Media • Education • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Advertising • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • Future Of Work • Food & Beverage • Human Resources • Impact • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • SaaS • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • Mobility • Consumer • Pharmaceutical (& Medicine)
btov Partners is a venture capital firm that focuses on making early-stage investments in digital and industrial technology firms. The firm operates through its own funds, managed partner funds and offers direct investment opportunities to private investors. It was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
Geneva - Zurich, Switzerland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Education • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • GovTech • Material Science • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Payments • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness)
We invest in European Software, Hardware, and Life Science startups, at Late-seed, Series A, and larger rounds.
, U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Monaco
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • FinTech (& Financials services) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Gaming (& eSports) • Future Of Work • Aerospace (& Defense) • Nanotechnology • Consumer
Most Interested In
The intersection of networks, processing power and human nature. Examples: Lower Income Consumers Online, Parallel Social Realities and the Virtual Economy, the Tokenization & Transactionalization of Everything. Buzzwords: Identity & Access Management, Multi-Cloud, Low Code, AI
Not Interested In
Biotech, single DTC brands
Washington District of Columbia, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
BioTech • AgroTech • Energy • CleanTech • Material Science • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Robotics • Aerospace (& Defense)
Space VC
Most Interested In
Space and space-adjacent companies with either existing space markets or dual space/terrestrial markets within 24 months of first revenue. We invest when we see product/market fit.
Not Interested In
We avoid the launch segment because it is saturated. We also avoid the spacecraft component markets because of low margins.
St. Louis - Missouri, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Aerospace (& Defense) • DeepTech • Consumer
Venture Capital Investor