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.
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
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Media • Businesses Solutions • Online Social
Digital Platforms, Services, Brands and Lifestyle
Gordon Rubenstein serves as Managing Partner at Raine Ventures. He was a Board Member at Plexchat. He serves as the Board Observer at Amuse. Gordon is the Managing Partner of Raine Ventures where he leads Raine's venture capital group. Prior to joining Raine in 2013, Gordon founded and managed Pacific Partners, an operationally-focused venture capital partnership with backing from George Soros, Sam Zell, leading technology executives and entrepreneurs as well as partners from KKR, Silver Lake and Freeman Spogli. In addition, Gordon co-founded Astro Gaming (acquired by Skullcandy (Nasdaq: SKUL)), and Rave Digital Media (acquired by AMC Entertainment). Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of Tastemade Inc. and Prism Skylabs and was involved at the board level and / or actively involved with Machinima, ZEFR, eHarmony, VivaReal, Audience Science, BigMachines (acquired by Oracle) and Convio (listed publicly on Nasdaq, then acquired by Blackbaud (Nasdaq: BLKB)). Gordon has an A.B. from the University of Michigan.
Pennsylvania ; New York New York ; Zug Switzerland; Philadelphia Pennsylvania ; New York - U.S.A., U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Other • Media • FinTech (& Financials services) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Advertising • Local commerce • Mobile Apps • DeepTech • Mobile • Online Social
I build technology & businesses. Co-Founder @ @leadnomics & @UseTiller. Entrepreneur, Angel, Advisor (Online Media/Technology).
Salt Lake City - Boston - Seattle - Los Angeles - San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Canada - 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, Icelan
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Online Social • Consumer
Principal at Index Ventures
Most Interested In
New consumer services or experiences. Workflow applications that are adopted by the end-user, especially in non-desk environments.
Not Interested In
Healthcare / life sciences, infrastructure, security.
Los Altos - California, 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..) • Businesses Solutions • Online Social
COO & Board Member at MasterClass
COO & Board Member at MasterClass
, Luxembourg - 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, Mo
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Mobile Apps • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • Mobile • Mobility • Online Social • Consumer • Productivity
Mangrove Capital Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in the internet, software, mobile, automotive, e-commerce, multimedia services, security, media, network, infrastructure, SaaS and wireless communication sectors. The firm was founded in 2000 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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.
San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - Australia - U.K. - 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, Mal
Businesses Solutions • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Gaming (& eSports) • Mobile Apps • Online Social
Co-Founder / Partner / CTO at InReach Ventures
Palo Alto, U.S.A. - Switzerland - France - Canada
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Sales (& Marketing) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Advertising • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Online Social • Consumer
Managing Partner of PhilQuo Ventures
London - Moscow, U.S.A. - U.K. - Germany - 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..) • Hospitality (& Events) • AgroTech • Businesses Solutions • Sales (& Marketing) • Advertising • Future Of Work • Human Resources • Online Social
Most Interested In
Impulse is a global VC firm with strong expertise in enterprise solutions and AdTech. We provide investments to deep tech companies to scale business and entering new markets. In addition to investments, Impulse gives access to unique expertise; Partners are successful entrepreneurs - founders of leading global SEO marketing marketplace.
San Francisco Bay Area, 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
Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Food & Beverage • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Online Social • Consumer
Bridging South East Europe and Silicon Valley -- Mostly consumer & e-commerce.
London, U.K. - Australia - Switzerland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Media • Education • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Payments • Mobile Apps • Real Estate (& Construction) • Mobile • Online Social • Consumer
Simon Franks is a Co-Founder and serves as Chief Executive Officer at Lionsgate Films UK. He also serves as Founder & Director at Redbus Group. Simon Franks is the Founder and serves as Director at Redbus Group. Simon serves on the board of (or advisor to), a number of early-stage companies. Simon has won a number of awards for business, including the Sunday Times Fast Track award. In 2013 Simon was selected as one of the world's 100 top innovators by British Airways and was part of the "BA Ungrounded" flight for the 2013 G8 summit. Simon is also philanthropically and politically engaged, with a particular interest in issues pertaining to international development and separately, economic policy. Simon was an advisor to Ed Balls and the Labour Party on business, entrepreneurialism and innovation. Simon serves on the advisory board of the Labour campaign for International Development, the advisory board of Campaign Bootcamp, is International Chairman of the Lake Clinic in Cambodia and advisor to Tilganga Hospital in Kathmandu.
San Francisco Bay Area - 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
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Media • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Developer tools • Online Social
Most Interested In
Point of inflection investor in consumer internet and enterprise software. Heavy focus in online marketplaces, fintech, and developer tools.
Not Interested In
Clean Tech. Healthcare.
Brendan Wales serves as Partner at e.ventures. Brendan joined e.ventures in March of 2012 and specializes in investing in online marketplaces, fin-tech, developer tools and open source software. He has worked on e.ventures' investments in Shipt (Acquired by Target), CodeFights, Test.AI, StackShare.io, Segment, App Annie, Acorns, When I Work, Shutl (Acquired by ebay), Everything But The House, Spothero, Nativo and HireAthena and is also actively involved with existing investments NGINX, Upsight, and Housecall. As a part of the e.ventures' team that leverages big data for deal origination, Brendan has been closely involved in the firm's development and utilization of in-house technology built to discover growing internet enabled companies. Prior to joining e.ventures, Brendan was an early employee at 500 Startups backed ZOZI, a leading SAAS booking platform for Tour and Activity Providers. He started his career at Sun Life Financial, a Fortune 500 financial services company, and has also started two consumer internet startups. Brendan earned a B.A. in Finance from the University of Georgia.