Scale up Bootcamps Connect Swiss Industry Leaders and Fast-Growing Startups Online to Build Fruitful Partnerships

25.08.2020

More than 40 growth-oriented entrepreneurs and heavy-weight Swiss corporates gathered for an online held Scale Up Bootcamp to connect and exchange business development proposals during a successful day of entrepreneurial matchmaking. Two Scale up Bootcamps gave 22 innovative Swiss startups and 19 of the country’s leading corporates the chance to explore partnerships across Industry 4.0 & Smart City, as well as Sustainability and Cleantech.

Each industry vertical’s half-day session began with inspirational and captivating pitches and set the pace for a day of rich networking opportunities. On a Zoom meeting, a fine and rare selection of top scaling startups and Swiss corporates alike had 90 seconds to present their areas of interest and lay the foundations for subsequent 1-on-1 meetings on B2Match matchmaking app. Entrepreneurs and decision-makers enjoyed as many as six intense, 15-minute exchanges with their matches to discuss potential partnerships. "The Scale-Up Bootcamps powered by digitalswitzerland and Venture Kick have been extremely fast in adjusting to the new reality through COVID-19. Fully virtual but with a human touch. Well done!" said Anne Lohmann, Assistant to the CEO at ChainIQ.



Industry 4.0 and Smart City
Startups in the Industry 4.0 and Smart City tech vertical enjoyed access to 9 of the country’s biggest corporates, including SBB CFF FFS, DPD Schweiz, AMAG, and HPE. Fabio Baldo, Head of Business Development at Datwyler Cabling Solutions AG said: “The Scale-Up Bootcamp was an amazing experience. We had a chance to meet and discuss with very talented entrepreneurs about potential Smart City & Industry 4.0 business opportunities. Thanks to Scale-Up Bootcamp, we are able to accelerate our strategy and fast forward innovation in our company.”. In turn, the corporate executives could discuss potential synergies and collaborations for growth with entrepreneurs at the cutting-edge of technology. “I had three meetings and they were all good with concrete follow up steps. Definitely recommendable event and very happy to have attended it!” said Pablo Ghiglino, Founder and CEO of  Klepsydra Technologies GmbH.

Sustainability and Cleantech
The afternoon’s Sustainability and Cleantech session attracted well-known companies, such as IBM, PwC, SwissLife as well as global players. "Scale-Up Bootcamp was a well organized very efficient event. I enjoyed meeting relevant startups and I'm looking forward to exploring collaboration opportunities with them." said Maté Varga, Country Manager Business Systems and Solutions at Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland. The growth-oriented Swiss startups included technology leaders encompassing water intelligence platform, renewable energies, automated energy accounting, or solutions for sustainable office building design.

Future partnerships
"The Industry 4.0 & Smart City Bootcamp has enabled us to network with motivated decision-makers and launch projects in a short time." said Patrik Deuss, CEO of LEDCity.

The Scale-up Bootcamps are a partnership by digitalswitzerlandGebert Rüf Stiftung and Venture Kick operated by Venturelab.

Learn about the next industry verticals and how to apply for upcoming matchmaking opportunities.

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