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Switzerland #1 in Innovation!!! Innovation is a hot topic, much admired and full of potential.  World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO is a third-party organization that has established its Global Innovation Index (GII) to assess innovation capabilities and results of world economies. Last year, in 2023, Switzerland once again ranked 1st among the 132 economies assessed by WIPO (the 13th consecutive year!), 1st among the 50 high-income group economies and 1st among the 39 economies in Europe. The GII consists of roughly 80 indicators, grouped into innovation inputs and outputs with criteria that include institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, credit, investment, linkages; the creation, absorption and diffusion of knowledge; and creative output. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, has positioned the GII as a rich and trusted source of data and information for policy makers to use to craft pro-innovation policies to unleash the innovative potential of their people. In 2024, Switzerland seems poised to repeat this prestigious ranking.  Last week, as reported by Stefan Kyora and Startupticker.ch, Jordi Montserrat and Stefan Steiner from Venturelab hosted the 14th annual TOP 100 Startup Awards, with Ana Maria Montero - Moderator, and announced the top 100 Swiss startups, as assessed by a highly qualified jury.  The winners comprise a diverse cross-section of industries with 16 startups in cleantech, 15 in biotech and engineering sectors, 14 in ICT, which inlcudes edtech, and 13 in medtech.  Noteably, this year 40 startups were listed in the Top 100 Awards for the first time, with two cleantechs in the top 20. Samantha Anderson, Bardiya Valizadeh, Christopher Ireland and the team at DePoly, a cleantech company with great ambitions and a solution to a global social problem – the recycling of plastics that currently cannot be recycled – took first place this year.  It’s a terrific company aimed at a great global challenge – the 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year - with a solution that promises to be a game changer.  Dr. Christian Marty, Jonas Fehlmann and the team at evulpo, a free platform with countless videos, summaries and exercises for curriculum-relevant school topics, was the top scoring edtech company recognized. Samir Ounzain, Daniel Blessing and the team at HAYA Therapeutics – the winner of last year’s Top 100 Swiss Startup Award 1 - took fifth place this year and announced collaboration with Eli Lilly that could bring the Lausanne-based start-up up to USD 1 billion. You can click on this link for the full list of the Top 100 Startupshttps://lnkd.in/e3pDm47u. Congratulations to all the winners and to the thousands of entrepreneurs and companies struggling to bring innovation to light! Innosuisse. Venturelab. Swiss EdTech Collider. Switzerland Global Enterprise. Swiss Startup Association. Swiss Entrepreneurs & Startup Association SWESA #innovation #entrepreneurs #changemakers

"While the focus of many remains on Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and Software as a Service, there exist remarkable opportunities in less conspicuous sectors. Here are 𝟯 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁." 🚀💡 "The startup ecosystem is saturated with buzzwords, yet the most promising opportunities frequently go unnoticed. Allow me to highlight these 𝟯 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 that remain under the radar, despite their potential to spawn the next generation of billion-dollar startups: 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ♻️ In light of the global commitment to sustainability, there is an increasing demand for startups dedicated to waste minimization and resource recycling. Consider technology aimed at waste management and platforms facilitating the reuse of products. Example: Envision a startup that transforms construction waste into reusable materials—an impactful and lucrative venture. 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲-𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿k𝗲𝗿𝘀 🧠 Although corporate mental health solutions have gained prominence, blue-collar workers represent a 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 underserved market. Developing tailored solutions for this demographic could profoundly transform wellness. Example: A platform providing digital counseling, community support, and job-specific mindfulness training designed for workers in factories and transportation. 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 🌾 Traditional farming practices are increasingly challenged by climate change. Startups that focus on resilient crop varieties, soil optimization, and efficient water usage are addressing urgent needs within a trillion-dollar market. Example: A startup utilizing Artificial Intelligence to assess soil health and enhance crop yields in drought-stricken regions—an approach that is both profitable and impactful. 👉 Although these sectors may not currently dominate the headlines, they are addressing significant real-world challenges that cannot be ignored. The future will undoubtedly favor those who are willing to delve beneath the surface. #VentureCapital #StartupOpportunities #InvestorInsights #FutureOfInvestment #EmergingMarkets #HiddenGems #SustainabilityInvesting #CircularEconomy #MentalHealthTech #AgriTech #ClimateResilience #ImpactInvesting #NextBillionDollarStartup #StartupGrowth #BeyondTheHype #DisruptiveInnovation #StrategicInvestments #FutureTrends #UnderratedMarkets #InnovationMatters #VCTrends #TechForGood #SmartInvestments #FutureOfBusiness #ScalableImpact Whats your take? Chris Tottman Rubén Domínguez Ibar Karol Lasota Steve Melhuish Shiv Choudhury Alejandro Cremades

5️⃣ 𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 5️⃣ We made a quick research on #startups linked to #funding & #innovation news. Here's the 5 companies of the month, by sector: 🔬 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬: Abolis Biotechnologies just secured €35M in funding from a consortium of international investors, including BOLD, the venture fund of L’Oréal, to deliver eco-friendly microbial ingredients to industries like cosmetics, food, and healthcare. 🪐 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: German startup Dcubed is propelling in-space manufacturing into the spotlight with a fresh €4.4M Series A funding round to scale production of satellite actuators. 🧀 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝-𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡: Formo, known for its animal-free cheese made with koji-based whey protein, has secured $61M in Series B funding, bringing its total to $115.3M 🌿 𝐁𝐢𝐨-𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡: UK startup Notpla just secured £20M (€23.8M) in series A funding to develop scalable materials from seaweeds and plants for sustainable packaging. 🔃 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲: German startup Novocarbo just raised €25M to ramp up its network of Carbon Removal Parks, aiming to build up to 200 by 2033. These parks aim to capture CO2, generate renewable energy, and produce sustainable materials. ------------------------------------------- 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter to get more investment & innovation news: https://lnkd.in/dRpbw6t9 📅 ...or book a demo with us to try out our innovation scouting platform: https://lnkd.in/djxM29Q2 #innovationscouting #techscouting #Linknovate #tech #biotech #foodtech #spacetech #carbonremoval #newmaterials Image: Notpla

✨🌱 “Our programme focuses on bioeconomy, green technologies and circularity issues. Almost 40 teams have been involved. Our goal is to turn solutions into fundable, scalable and impactful startups,” says Pedro Gensini, Biosphere Incubator Programme Manager at the University of Helsinki. ‼ We need new ideas to tackle the big environmental and social problems we're facing. Incubators are a great way to help innovators come up with new concepts. They provide support, connections and resources for innovation. Read the article on Positio Magazine and remember to register for our event "Supercharging Green Business: AI and Location Intelligence in the Bioeconomy", where Pedro will share his thoughts on AI and bioeconomy innovations. Helsinki Incubators | #slush2024 | #bioeconomy | #AI | #locationintelligence

A substantial reduction in funding for FoodTech and other technology sectors has been observed, indicating a 72% decline in global investments since 2021. This decline is attributed to various factors, including escalating costs, diminishing returns expectations, focusing on short-term profitability, and the necessity for a more rationalized approach to funding innovation. The FoodTech sector is particularly affected, as it is less associated with high-interest areas such as artificial intelligence, resulting in fewer deals and a diminished pool of early-stage ventures. Furthermore, global innovation metrics reveal stagnation, characterized by a decline in patents and scientific publications, suggesting potential challenges in sustaining long-term growth. In the medium term, this “new normal” implies that Food Tech startups may encounter difficulties in securing capital unless they demonstrate a clear profitability trajectory or establish strategic partnerships that can facilitate growth. Venture capitalists may prioritize sectors that promise quicker returns, potentially creating an environment that hinders the flourishing of Food Tech innovation. In the long term, while the decline may curtail the emergence of novel disruptive solutions, it also presents opportunities for well-positioned companies and investors to support FoodTech innovation, particularly in foundational areas such as alternative proteins, sustainable food production, and decarbonization. Strategic partnerships, collaborations, and internal innovation ecosystems are potential avenues for food companies to circumvent traditional VC challenges and invest in solutions with extended development timelines. This landscape still holds substantial potential for long-term investors. The timing may be favorable to support FoodTech ventures that exhibit potential but require more protracted gestation periods to mature. Concentrating on partnership models and R&D investments can provide a strategic advantage, positioning stakeholders at the forefront of vital innovations when market conditions recover.

TIPM’s Innovation Blueprint: London Learning Day 1 🇬🇧🇲🇾 Technology Innovation Park Malaysia is expanding partnerships and strengthening Malaysia's position as a leading innovation investment destination in science and technology. We eagerly share insights from our knowledge-seeking journey. Following our #SwedishSojourn in Stockholm, we now present our #LondonLearnings. Day 1 of our #LondonLearning series brings us together with Mr. Vijay Goel, Founder of Indo European Business Forum, where we discussed: 🚀 Food Security and AgriTech as key points. 🚀 Engagement and collaboration with India’s leading AgriTech companies, slated for Early August 2024. 🚀 Shortlisted companies from India keen to expand to Malaysia, as well as, relevant market access interventions required. 🚀 National Seed Bank of Malaysia - IEBF to curate most experienced and well-versed Indian companies capable of creating ‘seed bank”. 🚀 Participation in Venture Capital World Summit London 2024, to tap potential startups from UK and India. Our heartiest appreciation to Baroness Manzila Uddin, Member of the House of Lords, UK Parliament, for graciously hosting our second meeting of the day, where we discussed: 🚀 Connection and collaboration between innovation ecosystems of UK and Malaysia. 🚀 Assessment of companies with energy-related solutions keen to expand into Malaysia. We look forward to hosting Baroness Uddin and Professor Yu Xiong CEng PhD from University of Surrey in Kuala Lumpur at I-Nation 2024, and their discussions on how the UK and Malaysia can leverage on China’s advanced technology! Thank you, Mr. David M. and Dr. Ning Wang of University of Oxford for the great discussion revolving around: 🚀 OxValue.AI utilizes data and AI tech to evaluate monetary value of technology or technology-rich startup companies, providing an objective, accurate, affordable and accessible decision-making tool for both the investor and inventor communities. 🚀 Feasibility of Oxvalue.AI tool for incorporation into TIPM’s tech assessment module, and suitability under NTIS programme and MATCH platform. 🚀 Share the Oxvalue.AI tool to other funding agencies for consideration. Onwards, we met Mr. Eric Van der Kleij, Co Founder of EdenBase, where we were able to discuss: 🚀 Edenbase, as a venture capital and private equity principal, acts as a dynamic hub, inspiring, investing in, and transforming local and global economies with advanced tech solutions. 🚀 Potential setup of a Behavioural Science Unit with TIPM to study community responses to economic models. 🚀 This will allow TIPM to monitor ecosystem responses to interventions and initiatives and use data to drive progress. 🚀 Jointly studying the CogCity Challenge programs on PropTech and SmartCity, examining their impact on participants and the ecosystem, with potential application in TIPM. Stay tuned for more updates from Day 2!

In the dynamic landscape of innovation, several startup funding rounds this month have highlighted unique approaches to pressing global challenges. Here are some noteworthy highlights: 🌱 **Luum**: This startup has revolutionized the eyelash extension industry with its AI-driven autonomous robot, raising $30 million. With partnerships with Ulta Beauty and Nordstrom, Luum's technology boasts greater precision and safety for clients while capitalizing on an ever-growing market. 💧 **Elicit Plant**: Addressing the urgent issue of water scarcity, Elicit Plant secured $48 million to enhance crop resilience using phytosterol solutions. Their innovative spray can reduce water consumption by 20% while boosting yields by up to 10%. This is crucial for maintaining food security amid climate change. 🌾 **Plantible Foods**: By tapping into duckweed, Plantible Foods raised $30 million to produce Rubi Protein, a sustainable alternative outperforming traditional proteins. As demand for plant-based diets rises, this technology supports both sustainability and nutritional efficiency. 🚰 **OceanWell**: With a mission to combat water scarcity, OceanWell has developed a deep-sea water farm capable of producing 1 million gallons of fresh water daily. Their $11 million funding will help scale this innovative solution, ensuring clean water access while reducing energy consumption. 🌌 **Lunar Outpost**: This Colorado-based startup is pushing the boundaries of space exploration. After successfully raising funds, they're set to launch the first commercial rover to the moon. Their projects, including developing oxygen extraction for Mars, showcase the future of space infrastructure. These emerging leaders are not only addressing current market needs but also paving the way for sustainable and innovative solutions. Keep an eye on these transformative startups as they reshape their respective industries! For more insights on the latest in startup funding and innovation, check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dfkADYRz

Investing in a fund focused on technology startups dedicated to sustainability is a crucial strategy for addressing global environmental challenges and promoting responsible economic development. 🌳 Technology startups have the potential to innovate in areas such as renewable energy, resource efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and waste reduction, bringing disruptive solutions that large corporations often cannot develop with the same agility. 💡 These investments not only drive sustainable economic growth but also create a virtuous cycle where technology is used to mitigate negative environmental impacts. Moreover, by financing startups committed to sustainability, investors not only align their portfolios with ethical and environmental values but also position themselves to benefit from long-term financial returns, often driven by the growing demand for green solutions. 📈 Therefore, investing in a technology startup fund focused on sustainability is an effective way to contribute to a greener and more prosperous future, while also benefiting from innovations that can transform entire industries. If you'd like more information, feel free to send us a direct message.

🌟 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 🚀 🌟 The Economic Survey 2024 paints a vibrant picture of India's booming startup ecosystem. Tier 2 & 3 cities are emerging as hotbeds of innovation! From AI to Agritech, Indian startups are leading the way with remarkable growth, innovation, and economic impact.🌱🤖 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 1️⃣ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭-𝐮𝐩 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝟐 & 𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝟑 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: - Over 45% of Indian start-ups are emerging from Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities. - DPIIT-recognised start-ups have surged to over 1.25 lakh by March 2024, up from 300 in 2016. 2️⃣ 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: - Indian start-ups filed more than 12,000 patents from 2016 to March 2024. - Over 13,000 start-ups are pioneering in AI, IoT, robotics, and nanotechnology. 3️⃣ 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: - DPIIT-recognised start-ups have generated over 12.42 lakh direct jobs. - Significant contributions from 135 Alternative Investment Funds, investing over Rs 18,000 crore in start-ups by FY24. 4️⃣ 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 & 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: - Patent Rules, 2024, simplified patent acquisition and management, increasing granted patents 17-fold since 2014-15. - The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) bill 2023, fostering industry-academia-government collaborations. - Fund of Funds for Start-ups committed over Rs 10,500 crore to 135 Alternative Investment Funds. 5️⃣ 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬: - More than 47% of DPIIT-recognised start-ups have at least one woman director. 6️⃣ 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬 (𝐆𝐂𝐂𝐬) & 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: - GCCs have established 15 incubators, over 40 accelerators, and numerous partner programs. - Significant partnerships in healthcare and pharma sectors, driving technological advancements. 7️⃣ 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: - Over 1,000 agritech start-ups, including 387 women-led, are revolutionizing agriculture and allied sectors. India ranks first among lower middle-income countries and central and southern Asian economies. The Economic Survey 2024 underscores the vibrant, innovative, and inclusive nature of India's start-up ecosystem, driving forward our nation's economic and technological future. What do you think is the most exciting aspect of India's startup ecosystem? Share your views in the comments! #EconomicSurvey2024 #StartupIndia #Innovation #Patents #AI #IoT #Robotics #Nanotechnology #JobCreation #WomenEntrepreneurs #Agritech #GCC #Investment #IndianEconomy #Technology #Research #Collaboration #Growth

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