Kickstart Innovation

🚀 Yesterday was an incredible journey through #innovation and #collaboration. The day began with inspiring presentations and pitches from our Kickstart scaleups at Innovaud in Lausanne. We then explored cutting-edge innovation during visits to Romande Energie and the Rolex Learning center - Epfl. The afternoon brought us to the #InnovationDay at die Mobiliar, where we dived into #AI’s transformative role in #insurance and connected through impactful networking opportunities. 🚀 ✨ The evening was the perfect culmination, as we welcomed over 70 startup founders, regional investors, local government representatives, and corporate changemakers to Kickstart’s #ExecutiveDinnerRomandie at La Mobilière’s headquarters in Ville de Nyon. The night kicked off with a warm welcome from Katka Letzing, CEO & Co-Founder of #ickstartInnovation, followed by inspiring words from Aline Brügger, Head of Private Provision at La Mobilière. A highlight of the night was the fireside chat on sustainable investments and the transformative power of collaboration. We were fortunate to have Patrick Barbey, CEO of #Innovaud, Felix Stähli, Co-Founder of Impact Hub Lausanne and Geneva, and Iohannès Bry, Head of Innovation at Ville de Lausanne share their insights, setting the tone for a night of meaningful conversations and visionary thinking. 🌍 🎤 Of course, it wouldn’t be a Kickstart event without rapid-fire pitches! Kudos to members of our 2024 cohort participating last night - AllyWell, B'ZEOS,Billogram, Enterprise Bot , HAPSTER, hypt, Interloom, irmos technologies AG, Lixea, Moodtalk, Nature Coatings, NEUR.ON, Over Easy Solar, ProSeed, Shayp, Silatha, Solskin by Zurich Soft Robotics, Thryve, Watchibia , Wequity—for distilling their innovative visions into a challenging brilliant single impactful sentence! 🤝 This wasn’t a typical networking event. The atmosphere buzzed with genuine excitement, as curious minds connected over shared ideas and potential collaborations—all while enjoying fantastic food and local wine. 🍷 Evenings like this remind us that building innovation #ecosystems is about more than business; it’s about fostering connections that inspire action and create real impact. 🚀 Next up: Kickstart’s Closing Ceremony, where we’ll celebrate the successes of our 11-week program and announce the incredible achievements of this year’s cohort and our partners AXA Coop IKEA MSD Swisscom PostFinance Stadt Zürich Romande Energie Sanitas Krankenversicherung CSEM Etat de Vaud and more. #KickstartInnovation #ExecutiveDinner #Collaboration #SustainableInvestments #Startups #Networking 🚀

🏆 Forbes has just named Switzerland as Europe’s hottest tech hub, surpassing Berlin and London! Our partner ETH Zürich plays a pivotal role in this success, producing more spin-offs than any other university globally. 🚀 This dynamic ecosystem is also a breeding ground for transformative startups and unicorns, particularly in the Greater Zurich Area —a region we are proud to be part of. 🌱 At Kickstart Innovation we are dedicated to fostering this vibrant landscape by empowering the next generation of startups to address global challenges across #deeptech, #sustainability, and beyond. Whether you’re a #startup looking to scale or an organization seeking transformative #partnerships, Kickstart Innovation is the platform connecting the brightest minds and cutting-edge ideas driving Switzerland’s tech revolution, #innovation and #impact: https://lnkd.in/dVH_pPV 🔍 Read the full Forbes article here: https://lnkd.in/d8WPytnT #SwitzerlandInnovation #KickstartInnovation #ETHZurich #Startups #Innovation #Collaboration Switzerland Global Enterprise About Switzerland Impact Hub Switzerland Invest in Switzerland Swissnex

Join us at Slush, one of the world’s premier events for #startups and #tech #innovation, where founders, investors, and innovators gather to shape the future and drive #impact. We’re looking forward to contributing to the conversation during our panel discussion on 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 at the swisstech pavillion! Together with a Swiss delegation of industry leaders, we’ll explore the latest #trends in open innovation and #investment opportunities. Whether you’re a startup, corporate leader, public institution, or investor, this is your chance to discover the potential of Swiss innovation! 📍 Panel Discussion: 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024 ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 1:40 PM 📌 Location: swisstech Booth @ Slush 🎤 Speakers: • Patrick Barbey, CEO, Innovaud • Katka Letzing, CEO & Co-Founder, #KickstartInnovation • Raphael Fässler, Investment Director, Swiss Post Ventures • Max Vogt, Investment Analyst, Swisscom Ventures Moderation by: Jürg Stuker, President of the Board, Wirz Group & Head University of St.Gallen START Global Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the leaders shaping innovation and investment! 👉 Find the full panel details here https://lnkd.in/dHyMcrMq Let us know if you’ll be there—we’d love to connect! 🌟 #switzerland #deeptech #makeithappen Switzerland Global Enterprise Swissnex Innosuisse Presence Switzerland BERNINVEST AG EPFL Innovation Park Greater Zurich Area Kanton Luzern Kanton St.Gallen Kanton Schaffhausen Kanton Schwyz Kanton Zug Novartis Roche Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation Lindt & Sprüngli Nestlé Nespresso SA Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts

🌞 How can urban spaces better harness renewable energy? 🌞 As urban spaces tighten, Over Easy Solar is leading the way with vertical solar solutions that maximize #energy generation in dense city environments. 🌱 Their innovative panels integrate with #greenroofs, enhancing energy production while supporting urban #biodiversity through cooling and water retention. This approach 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, even during low winter angles, 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 🏡 In #Zurich, more than a third of buildings with flat roofs reportedly can’t support conventional solar systems, making Over Easy Solar’s lightweight vertical panels an ideal solution. 🏆 Since joining #Kickstart, Over Easy Solar has reached key #milestones, including a 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 and forming strategic partnerships to expand their impact. This work underscores the potential for transforming rooftops into sustainable, energy-generating spaces. Learn more about their journey in this 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 with Trygve Mongstad Tommy Engvik Aria Yadmelat Pichler Katka Letzing Andrea Bianchi Ray Neubauer, CPA, CGMA

💡In her recent interview with Venturelab, Marjorie Hamelin Head of Business Development at Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa), highlights the incredible opportunities Western Switzerland offers for tech companies. With strong talent pools, access to European markets, and a vibrant startup ecosystem, this region is positioning itself as a dynamic alternative to Silicon Valley. 📈At Kickstart Innovation, we’re proud to witness this momentum firsthand. Collaborating with innovators across #Switzerland, we’re committed to fostering growth in regions like Western Switzerland that have immense potential to shape the #futureoftech. Discover what makes this region a global #innovation hotspot and why it’s capturing the interest of tech companies worldwide. 🌐 Read the full interview here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dm8d3-Bq Innovaud Etat de Vaud Impact Hub Basel Impact Hub Bern Impact Hub Geneva CSEM Romande Energie Swisscom EPFL IMD Sanitas Krankenversicherung Switzerland Global Enterprise

Today and tomorrow we will be in Winterthur at Startup Nights 2024! Great connecting with many innovative #startups and organizations from Switzerland with die Mobiliar, UBS, Wenger Vieli, Kanton Zürich, Swiss Life, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Cisco and more. Katka Letzing Oender Boyman Jürg Stuker #startupnights #Switzerland #makeithappen #KickstartInnovation

🌱 In a world where the impacts of #climate #change are increasingly visible, innovation isn’t just valuable—it’s vital. 📈 Over the last five years, global investments in climate tech have surged by 375%, reaching approximately $87.5 billion in 2022. From carbon capture to sustainable agriculture, innovators worldwide are accelerating climate solutions at unprecedented rates. However, to make a real, lasting impact, diverse perspectives and collaborations are essential. 🤝 This is why Climathon Zurich’s Festival of Ideas is such a vital event and we are proud to be part of it as a #partner again this year together with Stadt Zürich, Google, Patagonia, Climate-KIC, One Planet Lab Schweiz, CE Transition – Circular Economy Transition, Innovation Booster - Living Labs for Decarbonisation and more. In previous editions, Climathon Zurich has welcomed over 500 participants and generated 200+ #climate solution #concepts, many of which have grown into impactful projects and startups. On November 2, join us and changemakers, investors, and climate advocates at Kraftwerk Zürich to experience this year’s showcase of climate solutions developed by passionate participants. #Dive into the ideas, #connect with experts, and see firsthand how collaboration drives #impact. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ggkHsKNS Lorena Perrin Kreis, Katka Letzing, Ray Neubauer, CPA, CGMA, Andrea Bianchi, Lara Mogge Laurène Descamps Umwelt- und Gesundheitsschutz Zürich

📈 By 2025, the global market for #sustainable #food it is expected to reach $3.2 trillion, driven by the increasing awareness of the environmental impact of food production and consumption. 🌱 The market for plant-based proteins is projected to grow from $10.3 billion in 2021 to $23.4 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% . 🇨🇭 Switzerland is at the forefront of this shift, with startups like Planted, NuKoKo, New Roots AG, Viva la Faba, AQUA Cultured Foods, Kern Tec, pioneering innovative solutions in sustainable food and plant-based proteins, and corporates who are increasingly working hand-in-hand with startups to bring scalable, impactful changes to food production and consumption on a global scale. In a recent article by Suzanne van der Maarel, Food & Retail Lead, and Katka Letzing, CEO at Kickstart Innovation, several exciting trends are highlighted that are pushing us towards a more sustainable future such as #alternativeproteins, food #upcycling, sustainable #packaging and more. At #Kickstart we work every day to foster meaningful collaboration and partnerships to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable production and consumption system. Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/dT6gynSX Coop Emmi Group Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley

🚀 How can synthetic data transform the future of AI while keeping privacy intact? 📣 In our recent interview with Gonçalo (G) Martins Ribeiro, CEO of YData, we dive into how synthetic data is breaking down barriers to data access, solving issues of bias, and preserving privacy—all while accelerating #AI #innovation. Gonçalo shares his vision for the future of responsible AI and how making data more accessible can help businesses innovate more ethically and efficiently. Curious about the impact of synthetic data? Read the full interview 👉 https://lnkd.in/dA4yEZZz #AI #SyntheticData #Innovation #DataPrivacy #ResponsibleAI

🌱 Switzerland’s dynamic #food #ecosystem provides scaleups with valuable opportunities to #innovate, #grow, and #expand. 🥗 With a network of industry experts, cutting-edge research facilities, and collaboration opportunities, #Switzerland continues to develop as a hub for sustainable food innovation. 💡 In the latest article on our blog, written by our partner Switzerland Global Enterprise and part of the 𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙎𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙚-𝙐𝙥’𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, we take a closer look at how Switzerland’s food ecosystem supports business growth. 📈 As we celebrate World Food Day 🌾, which took place yesterday, it’s a timely reminder of the critical role innovation plays in shaping a more sustainable and resilient food system. We are proud to be part of this thriving community, helping to shape the food and retail ecosystem through our #Food & #Retail Vertical at Kickstart, fostering innovation through partnerships and pilot projects in the country. 🤝🇨🇭 👉Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/drMBK2dz Thanks Sirpa Tsimal and Dominique Von Rohr for this special contribution! Pascal Bieri Planted Alice Fauconnet New Roots AG Gianmario Riganti Primal Bee® David Brandes planetary Christina Senn-Jakobsen Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley Susana Reber Nestlé United Nations World Food Programme ETH Zürich EPFL About Switzerland SWI swissinfo.ch Invest in Switzerland HES-SO Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Coop Givaudan Syngenta dsm-firmenich Mondelēz International Tetra Pak Chiquita #WorldFoodDay #foodtech #sustainability #innovation #scaleups #startupgrowth #KickstartInnovation