7 Best Venture Capital (VC) Firms in Switzerland
Are you scouting for the best VC investors to launch or grow your startup in Switzerland? Look no further. This article breaks down the top venture capital investors in the Swiss market who are known for their savvy investment strategies and strong support systems. From funding to forging networks that matter, understanding which Swiss VCs could be your ideal partners is crucial. Let’s dive into who makes the list and how they can help propel your startup forward.
BackBone Ventures
BackBone Ventures, founded in 2018, is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Zurich The firm has made a significant impact in a short time, with 40+ investments and six successful exits already. BackBone Ventures focuses on supporting outstanding entrepreneurs in Germany and Switzerland. The firm prides itself on backing founders who create innovative and disruptive companies using their expertise and capital to boost growth and create next-generation success stories.
Headquarters: Switzerland
Investment Geography: Switzerland, Germany, Israel, India, Turkey, Mexico, Austria
Operating since: 2018
Stages: Seed, Series A
Investment Focus: ICT, AI, ML, Data Analytics, SaaS, FinTech, CyberSecurity, LegalTech, BioTech, FoodTech, Biopharma, HealthTech, Disruptive Tech, Drones
Number of investments: 44
Number of exits: 6
Check size: $100k – $5m
Notable investments: Spyce, Flytrex
Founders/Key People: Philippe Bernet, Miklos Stanek
Website: https://www.backbone.vc
Forestay Capital
Forestay Capital, established in 2017, is a venture capital firm that primarily focuses on investing in innovative technology companies that are generating revenue. The firm’s investment interests largely center on tech enterprises in Europe, the United States, and Israel. Forestay Capital stands out for targeting businesses that are challenging established norms and the status quo, especially those driven by software and data. This venture capital firm is the tech fund of Waypoint Capital, which is a part of B-FLEXION, an entrepreneurial private investment group.
Headquarters: Switzerland
Investment Geography: Switzerland, UK, USA, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, France, Finland
Operating since: 2017
Stages: Series A,Series B,Series C
Investment Focus: Software & Data-Driven (Enterprise Software,AI,Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Cloud Storage,Autonomous Navigation, FinTech, HealthTech, MedTech, EnergyTech, HRTech)
Number of investments: 21
Number of exits: 4
Check size: $10M to $150M
Notable investments: Scandit, Wasabi Technologies
Founders/Key People: Frederic Wohlwend, Labinot Brahimi
Website: https://www.forestay.vc
Lakestar
Lakestar Venture Partners is dedicated to partnering with tech entrepreneurs to fund visionary ideas capable of shaping global modern life. They focus on deep tech, digitalization, fintech, and healthcare sectors, providing insight and expertise. Lakestar supports ambitious founders from Seed to Growth stage, investing in companies like Spotify, Revolut, and Terra Quantum. Embedded in the European technology ecosystem, they leverage long-standing connections to establish tech as a critical pillar for Europe’s future.
Headquarters: Germany
Investment Geography: Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Türkiye, Spain, Hong Kong, Denmark, Portugal, Netherlands.
Operating since: 2012
Investment Focus: Enterprise Software, FinTech, Logistics, Supply Chain, FoodTech, TravelTech, Consumer Brands, Marketplaces, Digital Media, Gaming, PropTech.
Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Post-Seed, Series A, Series B+
Number of investments: 168
Number of exits: 25
Check size: $100K – $50M
Notable investments: Spotify, Revolut
Founders/Key People: Mika Salmi
Website: https://lakestar.com/
Redalpine
Redalpine is a venture capital firm specializing in seed and early-stage investments. Their primary focus is on disruptive technologies, particularly in the highly scalable ICT and Health Tech sectors. The firm is known for empowering game-changing startups and technologies, aiming to help entrepreneurs turn ambitious visions into reality. Redalpine’s approach involves providing not just funding, but also experience, coaching, and a strong network to support the growth and success of their portfolio companies.
Headquarters: Switzerland (Zurich)
Investment Geography: Europe
Operating since: 2007
Investment Focus: Consumer Internet/Consumer Brands/E-commerce, FinTech, Mobility, Media & Entertainment, TravelTech, Software/SaaS, Enterprise/B2B, MarTech/AdTech, HRTech, PropTech, Logistics, Crypto, HealthTech/Digital Health/Life Sciences/BioTech
Stages: Seed, Series A
Number of investments: 170
Number of exits: 36
Check size: $500k – $3m
Notable investments: Taxfix, Inkitt, N26 Group, Robinhood, Ethos
Founders/Key People: Michael Sidler, Sebastian Becker
Website: http://www.redalpine.com/
TiVentures
TiVentures is a seed investment fund owned by Fondazione Centenario Banca Stato. They focus on early-stage companies with innovative technologies, primarily in southern Switzerland. TiVentures has a diverse portfolio spanning life science, medical, high-tech, and IT sectors. TiVentures has contributed to the growth and innovation of the Ticino territory, making it a significant player in the regional tech ecosystem.
Headquarters: Switzerland
Investment Geography: Switzerland, United States.
Operating since: 2016
Investment Focus: Life Sciences, BioTech, Therapeutics, MedTech, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, HighTech, Telecom, AI, VR, Hardware, NanoTech, IT, Enterprise Software, Cyber Security, AgTech, Supply Chain, HealthTech, Digital Media.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B.
Number of investments: 13
Number of exits: 1
Check size: $50K – $500K
Notable investments: Hive Power, NetEffect
Founders/Key People: Lorenzo Leoni
Website: https://tiventures.ch/
Tomahawk.VC
Tomahawk.VC, founded in 2020 by Swiss serial entrepreneur Cédric Waldburger, is a venture capital firm based in Pfäffikon, Switzerland. The firm focuses on investing in fintech and defi sectors, aiming to back global distribution startups. With an initial fund of $20 million, Tomahawk.VC has already invested in companies such as Locatee in Switzerland and Lano and Buynomics in Germany.
Headquarters: Switzerland
Investment Geography: Germany, United States, Switzerland, Italy, United Kingdom, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Hungary.
Operating since: 2020
Investment Focus: FinTech, InsurTech, Decentralized Finance, DeFi, Crypto, Enterprise Software, PropTech, HRTech.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B.
Number of investments: 23
Check size: $100K – $1M
Notable investments: Myos, Frontify
Founders/Key People: Blanka Tafuro
Website: https://www.tomahawk.vc/
VI Partners
VI Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm founded in 2001 and based in Altendorf, Switzerland. The firm primarily focuses on investments in early-stage and growth-stage companies in the healthcare, biotechnology, technology, and software sectors. VI Partners is known for supporting university spin-offs and other promising start-up companies, providing them with capital, coaching, and network access.
The firm has a history of investing in Swiss-based startups. Its strategic partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) and McKinsey & Company played a key role in creating the Venture Incubator Fund.
Headquarters: Switzerland
Investment Geography: Switzerland, Germany, United States, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Israel, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Hong Kong, China.
Operating since: 2001
Investment Focus: Health Care (Life Sciences/BioTech, Medical Devices/MedTech, Digital Health/HealthTech), Tech (Enterprise Software, FinTech, AgTech, NanoTech, Sensors, IoT, Marketplaces).
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B.
Number of investments: 103
Number of exits: 18
Check size: $500K – $7M
Notable investments: SumUp, Athelas
Founders/Key People: Per Andersen
Website: https://www.vipartners.ch/
Conclusion
With these insights on Switzerland’s best VC investors, you’re ready to move. Assess which investors resonate with your vision and strategic needs. Engaging with the right VC isn’t just about securing funds but building long-term partnerships to foster growth. So, refine your pitch, align your objectives, and prepare to connect with a VC that could be the catalyst your startup needs.
