Before we head into the festive season, let’s take a moment to reflect on this month’s highlights.
Algorized, the startup is at the forefront of human-machine interaction with its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered people-sensing platform designed to enhance human presence detection using ultra-wideband (UWB) radar technology. Using the $4.3 million funding, the company is set for further growth and expansion.
In the food technology domain, KITRO stands out with its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered device designed to address food waste in the hospitality industry. Founded by Naomi MacKenzie and Anastasia Hofmann, the startup offers an automated data collection and analysis platform that provides precise insights that help businesses reduce waste. The funding from the latest round will allow the company to further expand its technology. Meanwhile, B’zeos, which develops seaweed-based packaging solutions, has secured fresh funding to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging alternatives.
Oncobit, co-founded by Claudia Scheckel, is a Schlieren-based precision medicine company which recently secured CHF 1.5 million in pre-series A funding to accelerate further developments in precision cancer medicine. CellX Biosolutions, an ETH spinoff, co-founded by Estelle Clerc, is using a novel microfluidic-based tool to capture bacteria capable of pollutant degradation in remote environments. Just as BLEEDnFIRE, which developing an RNA-based therapy for hereditary bleeding disorder, will use the support from venture Kick will enable the companies to accelerate their developments. In a related startup program, InnoBoooster has also awarded Jessica Droujko from Riverkin with CHF 150k to advance its Water Data Ecosystem, featuring Smart Sensors that monitor water quality and quantity across entire watersheds. In the beverage market, Sunday’s resonated with investors, securing substantial crowd-funded support to fuel its growth.
Attractive awards with big cheques
In addition to securing funding, female-led startups in Switzerland are also garnering significant recognition for their work. Riverkin was honored with the Gold Award and the One Young World Award at the MassChallenge Switzerland 2024, each accompanied by a CHF 10,000 prize. Additionally, Enerdrape, provider of geothermal energy solutions, emerged the winner of the AMAG Sustainability Challenge, securing itself 50,000 Swiss francs in prize money to support its project. The POWHER Awards celebrated three outstanding female entrepreneurs: Parisa Fallahi, co-founder and CEO von Basel Precision Instruments was awarded early stage startup of the year, along with Marina Udier, CEO of Nouscom founder of the year. Meanwhile, Oxyle, a deeptech startup striving to remove permanent PFAS in water, has recently launched its first commercial destruction system at a contaminated site in Switzerland. Prior to this milestone, the startup was recognized with the Swiss Technology Award in the category startup, while Reecover (Rare Elements recovery) received the SPARK Award by the ETH Zurich. The two award ceremonies were celebrated during the Open-i conference.
Furthermore, Gaudio was selected for the inaugural cohort of the First AI Launchpad, showcasing its potential in artificial intelligence applications. Dimpora gained international attention at the ISC3 Innovation Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and Textiles at for its sustainable outdoor clothing technology, winning €25,000. This year, MachineMD and Checktor Biosciences (led by Carolina Paganini) were the selected companies representing Switzerland at Medica, the leading trade fair for the medical technologies sector. There was further strong female representation at SLUSH in Helsinki with companies such as Kuori, Perivision, Earkick and Upleap (Breath Medical). Clelia Bourgoint from FloSphera, Michal Shoshan from MetaLead, and Natacha Gaillard co-founder of Astra Therapeutics had the opportunity to join Bio Europe, Europe’s leading partnering event, for the life sciences ecosystem.
The renowned Forbes list has once more put multiple Swiss startups in the spotlight. Among them are Thaïs de Tribolet founder of ROSE Technologies, Naomi Dirlewanger, founder of and CEO von Hera Organics, Anik Thaler is Co-founder von Fabas Foods, Michela Mastropietro, co-founder of KannaSwiss, and Sarah Harbarth ist founder and CEO von KUORI.
Further pivotal achievements were reached in various other startups, demonstrating their vigor and potential. Dimpora supported Graubünden-based company Snowlife in launching a leather glove for snow sports that contains the “Eco Pur” membrane. This pollutant free membrane promises superior breathable and waterproof capabilities. In the autonomous space, Loxo, co-founded by Lara Amini, is entering the German market to enhance its European presence and reach new markets. Biel/Bienne STIMIT has started enrolling patients for in its FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical trial; Identic.ai was listed on the SketchUp platform, giving it a strong start into the B2C segment and finally Yumame Foods has attracted ZFV and SV Group, two leading gastronomy chains in Zurich to use its products. Using a fermentation approach, the company provides minimally processed products for meatless dishes from local raw materials such as legumes, cereals and fungi.
People and leadership
Pharmalp appointed Dorothée Sineux as its co-CEO, the co-founder and specialist in the marketing of dietary supplements. Sustainability driven startup SOORT has also strengthened Emma Hörnqvist as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). These leadership changes will allow the startups to benefit from the expertise of their new leaders.
In other news, Femtech solution Carevix by Aspivix continues to gain popularity among gynaecologists but also in the media. The startup has scored a position on Time’s Best Innovation List. The oft-suction cervical device allows for gentle and pain free procedure during cervix stabilization compared to a cervical tenaculum.
The Startupticker team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
