USI Startup Centre

The latest 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, analysing 2024 data, was released this week with fresh insights into developments within the Swiss startup ecosystem 🚀 >> https://lnkd.in/gNhwW76P While the overall figures do not indicate substantial improvements - both the total amount invested and the number of funding rounds are slightly down from the previous year - there are encouraging signs, such as the strengthening of deep tech sectors and a renewed sense of optimism among investors. Here are some interesting highlights 💡 ◼️ 11 startups from Ticino (the highest number since 2013) collectively raised over CHF 42 million. Leading the batch, xFarm Technologies that secured 33.9 million, placing it among the 20 largest funding rounds of 2024 ◼️ Investments on the rise for Health IT, Biotech and Cleantech ◼️ ICT saw a moderate decrease in invested capital, with the Fintech sector facing the greatest challenges (- 51.5%) ◼️ Numerous seed and early-stage VCs are actively fundraising, so more funds should be available for Swiss startups in 2025 ◼️ The median round size saw a significant increase for both early-stage (new median: CHF 4.3 million) and later-stage (new median: CHF 12 million) investments, while the seed stage median remains stable at CHF 1.4 million ◼️ 68% of investors expect more exits, and 64% say they will increase their investment in Swiss startups in 2025, according to the annual survey involving 100 respondents What are your thoughts on the 2025 outlook? Startups based in Ticino that secured funding in 2024 include: xFarm Technologies, Anthropos, Primal Bee®(BeeHelpful), Circular Global Ledgers, Crion, Elysium Lab, Hive Power, Lighthouse Tech 🕶, MicThera, Shootify and TissueLabs Photo: Startupticker.ch Fondazione AGIRE | Tecnopolo Ticino Boldbrain Startup Challenge #VentureCapital #SwisStartupEcosystem

If learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship or finally turning your startup idea into a real project is on your resolutions list for 2025, do not miss the chance to apply to Business Concept! ✍ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁? Business Concept is a free hands-on entrepreneurship course designed for researchers, students and anyone interested in developing science-based startup projects, featuring 1 bootcamp and 10 evening lessons. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻? The training programme provides participants with theoretical concepts necessary for setting up a startup, from developing a business model to crafting a compelling pitch, which you can immediately apply to a real entrepreneurial project proposed by you or one of your classmates. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁? The next batch will start on 4 March 2025 and will be offered in two different locations: Lugano and Mendrisio (the latter mainly dedicated to the construction and design sector). ❕ Application deadline: February 25, 2025 Detailed programme and application link >> https://lnkd.in/e_kr_2xE The implementation of the Innosuisse entrepreneurship training programme in Ticino is coordinated by USI Startup Centre in collaboration with SUPSI. USI Università della Svizzera italiana University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland #entrepreneurshiptraining

Looking for an internship? Some of our startups are hiring, check out the open positions below 🚀 💻 DEC Energy, a startup that builds tech products for the renewable energy industry, is looking for a FRONTEND DEVELOPER (Internship, Lugano) >> https://lnkd.in/dw6Uv5Uq 📸 Shootify, a startup that enables fashion brands to turn simple product photos into stunning, on-model images that drive sales using AI, is looking for PHOTOSHOP & AI CREATIVE INTERN (Internship, Milan) >> https://lnkd.in/eDw6SBmD #internship #startup

Kicking off 2025 with great news from BIMINI Biotech, a startup that addresses the significant gap in therapeutics for aggressive haematological cancers. The company has recently announced the closing of a €3M seed investment round led by Torrey Pines Investment LLC, with the participation of Innovation Quarter Capital, Libertatis Ergo Holding B.V. and a business angel. The new funds will be used to advance the preclinical development of its novel modulators of Wiskott-Aldrich-Syndrome (WASp). Congrats Digvijay Gahtory Maurits van den Nieuwboer and the team! 🚀 More info >> https://lnkd.in/duN842tX Institute of Oncology Research (IOR) Francesco Bertoni

Last Tuesday, together with colleagues and partners from over 60 Swiss academic institutions and organisations, we participated in the 1st Swiss Academic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum hosted by the Swiss Center for Design and Health AG (SCDH) in Bienne. The event was packed with insights and valuable exchanges on how we can foster innovation and entrepreneurship across Swiss academia. Many thanks to the speakers for their contributions: Arno Meerman (UIIN), Eva Jaisli (bpswisstools), Patrick Kessel (PeriVision), and Christian Brunner (BRIDGE Funding Programme). And a special thank you goes to the members of the Organising Committee who made this community-driven initiative possible: Sébastien Hug, Eliav Haskal, LORENZ PROBST, Anita Buchli, Anna Gromova, Maria Håkanson, Maria-Luisa Fuchs, Maria Friedrich, Philipp Bubenzer, Maurizio Caon, Maurice Gaillard, Julien Levallois and Samuele Morales 👏 We are already looking forward to the next edition! #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #SwissAcademia #SAIEF 

Another year of supporting talented founders, forging valuable connections, and fostering entrepreneurial culture has flown by 🚀 We want to thank our growing community for continuous participation and support and wish everyone a joyful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025! 🎄 ✨

Contracts are not just paperwork. They can have a significant impact on your startup’s future, so it is crucial to get off on the right foot and not take them lightly. We recently tackled the topic in one of our startup training sessions with our legal advisor and two experienced entrepreneurs. Together we delved into four key documents that are relevant for any startup: Founders’ Agreement, Shareholders’ Agreement, Term Sheet, and Investment Agreement. A big thank you to our speakers and participating founders for sharing a wealth of valuable information and their experiences 💡

From 2025, there will be more learning and networking opportunities for researchers, students, and anyone with a science-based startup idea in Ticino! Thanks to the commitment of Innosuisse and the engagement of USI Università della Svizzera italiana, the number of courses available in the south of the Alps through its nationwide training programme will increase significantly to support aspiring entrepreneurs in transforming their innovative ideas into scalable businesses. Some highlights: 🚀 3 Business Concept courses per year in different locations – Lugano, Mendrisio (mainly focused on Construction & Design), and Bellinzona (mainly focused on Life Sciences) 🚀 A new module addressing two crucial aspects: finding co-founders and pivoting from the initial idea to meet market demands 🚀 A dedicated module on sustainability introduced in collaboration with Impact Hub Ticino 🚀 A packed calendar of events and other activities ❗ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗟𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼, with both courses kicking off on March 4th. For more information & course flyers >> https://lnkd.in/dd-bAgCX The Innosuisse entrepreneurship training programme consists of several modules that cover the initial stages of the entrepreneurial journey – from raising awareness to scaling a business – and is delivered in collaboration with selected and accredited providers across Switzerland. The upcoming courses and other activities in Ticino will be coordinated by USI Startup Centre in collaboration with University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland. #swissstartups #entrepreneurshiptraining

Congratulations to the Go Healthy & Co team on being selected for the Innosuisse Core Coaching programme that grants startups a voucher worth up to CHF 50k for coaching support from accredited coaches 🎉   Go Healthy is developing a digital toolbox for psychotherapy efficacy and patient commitment 🚀   #swissstartups Joy Bordini

The celebration of the 5 winning teams and their innovative projects wraps up the 7th edition of the Boldbrain Startup Challenge 🚀 🎉 🏆 This year's winner is InVirtuoLabs - an innovative platform that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence with molecular simulations to accelerate the drug discovery process 💊 🏆 2nd place & audience award: SynthEnergy 🏆 3rd place: GraphSight 🏆 4th place: Deutelio AG 🏆 5th place: FarmAid Read more >> https://lnkd.in/eb5vqHCb Boldbrain is an acceleration programme for innovative ideas organised by Fondazione AGIRE | Tecnopolo Ticino in collaboration with USI Startup Centre and sponsored by the Department of Finance and Economy of the Canton of Ticino and BancaStato. Stay tuned for the next edition! #swissstartups #BoldbrainCH24