CHF 8 Billion Invested in Venture Kick Startups
29.01.2024
The Venture Kick Annual Report 2023 reflects the philanthropic foundation’s growing contribution to Switzerland’s strong position as a deeptech startup hub. Since its launch in 2007, the startups supported by Venture Kick have attracted more than CHF 8 billion in investment and created 13,305 jobs.
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Venture Kick looks back on another record year as the philanthropic initiative reviewed 781 applications and supported 118 startup projects from universities across Switzerland with 6.23 million Swiss francs in seed financing, kicking science-based innovations to global markets. The number of projects applying to join Venture Kick increased year-on-year by 9.7 % to 781 (from 712 in 2022). Applications spanned various high-tech sectors, with ICT dominating at 53%, followed by life sciences (19%), cleantech (7%), and electronics and mechanics (7%). The remaining 14% covered micro and nanotechnologies, materials, chemicals, and others.
In a very challenging economic environment where overall startup funding decreased by nearly 50% globally, the Venture Kick alumni managed to attract investments of an additional CHF 1.2 billion in 2023. The startups demonstrated outstanding accomplishments, reaching milestones in fundraising, forming partnerships, and receiving awards for their revolutionary innovations. Moreover, 64 Venture Kick alumni rank among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups of 2023.
“The outstanding achievements of our Venture Kick Startups in convincing investors and solving global challenges underscore the resilience of the Swiss startup ecosystem, even in difficult times” shared Pascale Vonmont, Delegate of the Venture Kick Strategy Board, “it confirms the added value of our support as philanthropic consortium enabling more entrepreneurs to accomplish their visions”.
A historical milestone and a vision: 100,000 jobs for the Swiss economy
Venture Kick celebrated its 1,000-supported startup project in October 2023, making it a leading startup accelerator in Europe and even on a global scale. The special magazine “1,000 Startups Kicked” illustrates the considerable impact of the supported startups on society and the environment. In many cases, the initial “kick” from Venture Kick was instrumental for the founders to launch their companies.
In the next decade, Venture Kick aims to scale its successful model to achieve the creation of 3,000 incorporated high-tech companies, having cumulatively raised CHF 50 billion in investments and created 100,000 jobs by 2033.
“The journey ahead of us is super exciting and with the support of our donors, we are driven by this ambitious objective, building a legacy of innovation and prosperity. Together, we can continue kicking Swiss startups to new heights,” comments Beat Schillig, co-managing director of Venture Kick.
In a very challenging economic environment where overall startup funding decreased by nearly 50% globally, the Venture Kick alumni managed to attract investments of an additional CHF 1.2 billion in 2023. The startups demonstrated outstanding accomplishments, reaching milestones in fundraising, forming partnerships, and receiving awards for their revolutionary innovations. Moreover, 64 Venture Kick alumni rank among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups of 2023.
“The outstanding achievements of our Venture Kick Startups in convincing investors and solving global challenges underscore the resilience of the Swiss startup ecosystem, even in difficult times” shared Pascale Vonmont, Delegate of the Venture Kick Strategy Board, “it confirms the added value of our support as philanthropic consortium enabling more entrepreneurs to accomplish their visions”.
A historical milestone and a vision: 100,000 jobs for the Swiss economy
Venture Kick celebrated its 1,000-supported startup project in October 2023, making it a leading startup accelerator in Europe and even on a global scale. The special magazine “1,000 Startups Kicked” illustrates the considerable impact of the supported startups on society and the environment. In many cases, the initial “kick” from Venture Kick was instrumental for the founders to launch their companies.
In the next decade, Venture Kick aims to scale its successful model to achieve the creation of 3,000 incorporated high-tech companies, having cumulatively raised CHF 50 billion in investments and created 100,000 jobs by 2033.
“The journey ahead of us is super exciting and with the support of our donors, we are driven by this ambitious objective, building a legacy of innovation and prosperity. Together, we can continue kicking Swiss startups to new heights,” comments Beat Schillig, co-managing director of Venture Kick.