Swiss start-ups raised between 2.3 and 3 billion francs in 2021, a record

 In international comparison, however, Switzerland's progress is less good than the European average.

Swiss start-ups are expected to raise between 2.3 billion and 3 billion francs this year, i.e. more than in 2019, the last record year when roundtables brought in 2.3 billion. These estimates come from Stefan Kyora, co-author of the Swiss Venture Capital Report. However, he notes that Switzerland is progressing less rapidly than countries such as Sweden or Israel. "Young companies are well funded when they leave, but lack support for major roundtables, when they are in a phase of strong growth," said the latter.

Financial flows often go abroad thanks to the good positioning of the Swiss financial center in the global economy, but Switzerland still shows too much reluctance for start-ups in its national market, deplores the expert.

read

"The ecosystem of start-ups in Switzerland is very diverse"

Foodtech, medtech, biotech but also cleantech or the robotics and drones sector are areas where Swiss start-ups are breaking through, notes Dominique Gruhl-Bégin, start-up manager at Innosuisse, the agency Switzerland for the promotion of innovation. And to add, "it is important to note that the ecosystem of start-ups in Switzerland is very diversified like the whole of the economy".

She specifies "that there are trends and technologies which offer enormous opportunities for start-ups: digitization in all sectors, sustainability, artificial intelligence as well as deeptech", these start-ups which offer products or services based on breakthrough innovations.

This year, Nexthink, a second EPFL start-up, joined the unicorn family - these start-ups valued at more than a billion dollars and not listed on the stock exchange - reveals André Catana, head of the Start unit. up of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). Nexthink, which helps IT teams deliver a digital work environment that keeps its promises, joins Mindmaze, the first Swiss unicorn (2016) from EPFL, a platform of digital tools for neurological therapies.

On the German side, there are several examples of unicorns. Stefan Kyora quotes in particular Scandit, an offshoot of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ). The company provides mobile computer vision and augmented reality software solutions.

Never so many stock market listings

In terms of IPOs, 2021 will be an exceptional vintage for EPFL with already three quotes, never before seen, welcomes André Catana: Onward Medical (therapy for spinal cord injuries) has collected 93 million francs, Sophia Genetics (genomic and radiomic analyzes for hospitals) 212 million and Astracast 41 million, in the high added-value space niche market. They were listed respectively in Belgium, the United States and Norway.

“Swiss start-ups do not necessarily have to start with Switzerland as their first market. Some of them, based in Switzerland, will first market their offer abroad, in a market selected for various reasons, whether to meet a particular customer need, to integrate a value chain or otherwise. strategic reason ”, comments the specialist from Innosuisse.

As for the debate on the source of financing, it essentially depends on the phase of development of the young company, which cannot remain too long financed by venture capital: “after 6 to 8 years, investors want to realize their returns. on investment, ”remarks André Catana. To grow, a young business needs a financial boost, which may require an IPO.

source le Temps

Posted Friday December 3, 2021 at 10:31 AM

Modified Friday December 3, 2021 at 10:31 AM