Startups
Knecker – Protein from the bakery is the animal-free / vegan alternative to the mini pic / cheese roll for on the go.
Knecker is a cracker with over 30% vegetable proteins.
We do not imitate meat but offer a healthy snack that satisfies hunger.
Plant Based Protein to go.
Weinmanngasse 40b
8700 Küsnacht
Vegetable proteins
Startups
Treeless is on a mission to end plastic pollution by enabling the transition to bio-based, fossil-free material production using organically grown bacterial nanocellulose – free from toxic PFAS chemicals. By leveraging automated technology, organic waste and microorganisms, we reduce costs and environmental impact, avoiding traditional, emission-heavy methods of nanocellulose production. Our vision is to revolutionize the materials industry by providing scalable, eco-friendly nanocellulose for innovative applications, drastically reducing the world’s reliance on plastics, synthetic resins and harmful chemicals, therefore creating materials for a better life.
Earhart-strasse 3
8152 Glattpark (Opfikon)
Startups
We are a Swiss technology company targeting 400 million patients worldwide who suffer from visual impairment due to chronic retinal diseases, to help them improve their patient experience while trying to reduce the overall cost of care.
We are succeeding by developing the first fully automated system capable of performing safe injections into the eye worldwide through the use of robotic-assisted technology.
Combined with our digital health capabilities, we will develop more effective, convenient and safer treatments across the continuum of care for these diseases.
Through our innovative approach, and with the patient population expected to grow by 25% over the next decade, we aim to contribute to the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems by optimising treatment capacity, reducing the overall cost of care, and maximising value for eye patients.
Tannenstrasse 3
8092 Zürich
Robotics, Digital Health, Medtech business innovation, business modelling, patient management, diversity and inclusion, globalisation, sustainability.
Corporates
VirtaMed enables efficient medical training in a risk-free environment to support the training of physicians in hospitals or training centers by means of Virtual Reality simulators. Thanks to VirtaMed it is possible to create an own highly realistic Virtual Reality Simulator especially for individual medical devices.
Today, there are over 100 VirtaMedians worldwide, with innovation headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and a global network of expert partners. VirtaMed’s simulation and advanced data analytics are embedded into medical education in collaboration with hospitals, medical societies, and medical device companies.
Rütistrasse 12
8952 Schlieren
Medical Education, Surgical Simulation, Endoscopy
Corporates
We, Girtec AG, are a mechanical engineering company. We see ourselves as a system and component supplier. Our range of services extends from trading in individual parts (pumps, micropumps, valves, etc.) via engineering according to specifications, prototype construction, pilot series through to series production of turnkey components.
Palmenstrasse 1
8583 Sulgen
Corporates
We are the main public transport company in the greater Zurich area. Our goal is long-term sustainable improvement to the quality of life in Zürich through new and improved public transportation solutions. The landscapeof urban mobility is changing faster than ever before. New trends, services and technology such as the sharing economy, increased individualization, multimodality, digital booking platforms, electromobility and automated driving offer a range of new choices.Which of these are best suited to the VBZ mission and how can they be integrated into our existing services and products? Our Innovation Team evaluate and tests potential new services and technologies in order to improve and expand public transportation inZurich.
Luggwegstrasse 65
8048 Zürich
Mobility in general
Public Transport
Autonomous Driving
e-Mobility
Tramway Systems
Maintenance
Construction
Smart City Systems
and many more...
Universities
The Student Project House is a creative think- and makerspace open to all ETH students. With this initiative, ETH Zurich has created an open platform for the exchange of ideas between students from all disciplines. The platform also offers students support in implementing their own project ideas.
Clausiusstrasse 16
8006 Zürich
Universities
Nutritional behavior research focuses on the study of the nutritional needs of different population groups and development of target group-specific food and nutrition concepts, taking into account the entire value chain. Areas of Focus: Nutrition surveys and epidemiology / composition and nutritional profiles of foods / nutritional concepts / public health nutrition.
Campus Reidbach, Einsiedlerstrasse 34
8820 Wädenswil
Nutritional evaluation, epidemiology, nutritional concepts, sustainable nutrition, public health nutrition, composition and nutritional profiles of foods.
Universities
Materials and technologies for a sustainable future.
Empa is the ETH Domain’s interdisciplinary research institute for materials science and technology development. As a bridge between research and practical application, it develops innovative solutions for the priority challenges of industry and society in the areas of nanostructured, “smart” materials and surfaces, “advanced manufacturing”, environmental, energy and sustainable building technologies as well as personalised medicine and medtech applications. By transforming research results into marketable innovations thanks to efficient technology transfer together with industrial partners, Empa makes a significant contribution to enhance the innovative strength and international competitiveness of the Swiss economy, true to its motto: “Empa – The Place where Innovation Starts”. Careful use of our natural resources and thinking in terms of closed cycles are central to Empa’s work.
Überlandstrasse 129
8600 Dübendorf
Materials research; technology development; advanced manufacturing; energy, construction and building technologies; resource efficiency; Net Zero; Medtech; technology transfer; industrial cooperation
Financial Support
Transforming food systems with specialty crops.
We support practice-oriented research and development projects mainly in Switzerland, but also in emerging and developing countries.
Our activity is non-profit and does not pursue any profit-making purposes.
So that everyone does well – research for food, landscape, environment!
c/o BDW, Meierhofstrasse 1, 8820 Wädenswil
8820 Wädenswil
Funding impact-oriented R&D projects for practical innovations to transform food systems.
Strengthening the food system network
Promoting synergies through cooperation between players in the value chain
Financial Support
The StartAngels Network (SAN) is a non-profit organisation that facilitates contact between Swiss startups and experienced investors. SAN identifies, mentors and supports startups in need of funding. SAN investors work with selected startups with outstanding business ideas and above-average market potential.
With its diversified and broad experience, SAN provides capital, expertise, board members and helpful contacts. Interested members are trained to become lead investors.
Zürichbergstrasse 150
8044 Zürich
Experienced investors in various industries.
Financial Support
Venture Kick is a philanthropic three stage funding model initiated to support Swiss startups with enough funding to kick-start their entrepreneurial success. Startups can qualify to receive up to CHF 150,000 in start capital, and an opportunity for an additional CH 850,000 in equity funding from the Kick Fund. After each stage, promising entrepreneurs are also offered professional guidance in developing their business through the 2-day kickers camps and connection to an incredible network.
For a business idea with high potential and an entrepreneurial and driven team, get your lauching kick up to CHF 1,000,000+ through Venture Kick, Innobooster and the Kick Fund.
Learn from proven entrepreneurs how to structure your pitch and to develop your business. You will be guided to successfully approach customers and to close deals with investors.
Get exposed to the greatest network of investors and industry innovation experts in Switzerland. You’ll get substantial media coverage on top to attract even more investors.
Wiesenstrasse 10a
8952 Schlieren
university spin-offs, financing, grants, venture capital
Regulatory Support
We shape and steer transport development in the canton of Zurich and attach importance to ensuring that it is sustainable. To this end, we undertake strategic planning for all modes of transport and safeguard the interests of the canton vis-à-vis the federal government. The strategy and action program “DiNaMo” (Digitalization and Sustainability of Mobility in the Canton of Zurich) define the directions for future-oriented, digital, sustainable and efficient mobility development.
Neumühlequai 10
8090 Zürich
- Mobility consulting
- Digitization and sustainability of mobility
- Promotion of bicycle and pedestrian traffic
- Climate-compatible infrastructure design
- Strategic traffic management
Regulatory Support
Telling your innovation story using your data and your processes. We make your organization data driven by taking any use case from idea to finished product / service in 12 weeks. Across the following areas of domain expertise we have helped global corporates, small & medium enterprises as well as scale-ups:
Fabrikstrasse 5
6330 Cham
Ideation, Design Thinking & Solution Architecture
Minimum Viable Products
Solution Implementation (organizational & technical)
Systems- & Process Integration
Federated Systems & Blockchain
Regulatory Support
Autonomous technology will fundamentally change mobility as we know it today. The mission of the Swiss Association for Autonomous Mobility (SAAM) is to enable the introduction of new technologies and offerings in Switzerland for a common good.
PostAuto
Engehaldenstrasse 39
3030 Bern
Regulation, social acceptance, research into technical solutions for Swiss conditions
Initiatives
Switzerland’s leading digital finance (fintech, insurtech, crypto assets) conference and information platform.
Langstrasse 136
8004 Zürich
Knowledge transfer
Network
Initiatives
House of Winterthur does location promotion, business development, and tourism marketing from a single source for Winterthur and its region. A team of around 20 employees showcases Winterthur’s advantages as a dynamic economic region, practise-oriented educational centre, relaxed tourist destination, and outstanding cultural city.
Stadthaussstrasse 14
8401 Winterthur
The Winterthur region offers potential to play a significant role in the field of digital health. The area is headquarters to AXA Insurance, the ICT company Noser Health, and the implant manufacturer Zimmer. Furthermore, the region has a dynamic startup scene that has produced fast-growing startup companies such as the braces producer Best Smile or the e-wheelchair manufacturer Scewo.
Entrepreneurship, Start-ups
Initiatives
Hosting series of AI-focused events, including conferences, networking opportunities and weekly meetups.
Robert Walser Strasse 46
8820 Wadenswil
Support
SCMK Digital Solutions is a technology-driven startup founded in 2024 with a dual focus on software and hardware innovation. Leveraging over a decade of international supply-chain, procurement and operations leadership, the company delivers digital transformation solutions tailored to manufacturing, services and 3D printing ecosystems. With headquarters in Switzerland (and operations in India), SCMK combines its expertise in AI, platform development and systems integration to enable end-to-end value creation—helping clients optimise processes, enhance performance and scale efficiently.
SCMK is on track to launch a disruptive marketplace for on-demand services and equipment rental + sale, and aims to enable service professionals and consumers with tools, platform technology and supply-chain intelligence for sustainable growth.
Haager Strasse 21
9473 Gams
Support
Einar Nielsen has over 30 years of experience in robot development. He realised sensor-controlled robot systems for industry, surgery, rehabilitation, container handling, research, haptic feedback displays or high-precision, and high-speed robot applications. In more than 30 robot projects, a great deal of experience has been gained in the realisation of mechanical and electrical hardware as well as in the development of robot control software, which serves as a basis for further developments. Einar Nielsen’s interests lie in the development and control of sensor-controlled robot systems that find their practical application in industry, medicine, logistics, and service. His main focus is on an application-oriented development process and a philosophy where the dynamic behaviour of the robot is defined by an optimised choice of mechanical design and control strategy. The goal is to increase performance while reducing the complexity of the overall system.
Eisgasse 17
8004 Zürich
Consulting in the development of stationary and mobile robot systems
Support
Innovation Department of AXA Switzerland fostering new ideas with startups, partners & experts. We are passionate about innovation!
Römerstrasse 17
8400 Winterthur