Innovation start-ups

Three Swiss deep-tech startups with great potential

In the final of the Swisscom Startup Challenge 2023, the Swiss startups Irmos Technologies, Swistor and Synthara won out yesterday against the international competition. This year's challenge focused on deep-tech start-ups based on advanced technologies and research. A total of 240 start-ups from more than 30 countries applied for the eleventh edition of the funding programme.

By Armin Schädeli
from left: Isa Müller-Wegner and Marcus Dahlén (both Swisscom), Anup Kini (Synthara), Christos Lataniotis and Cyprien Hoelzl (both Irmos Technologies), Clara Moldovan and Victoria Manzi Orezzoli (both Swistor) from left: Isa Müller-Wegner and Marcus Dahlén (both Swisscom), Anup Kini (Synthara), Christos Lataniotis and Cyprien Hoelzl (both Irmos Technologies), Clara Moldovan and Victoria Manzi Orezzoli (both Swistor)
  • The Zurich ETH spin-off Irmos Technologies uses simple sensors and an AI-supported monitoring platform to monitor the structural condition of bridges, thus reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact while improving safety.
  • The Lausanne EPFL spin-off Swistor develops ultra-fast chargers that combine high-energy storage capability with high power output. This next generation of long-lasting and environmentally friendly energy storage can be used in the future for wearable consumer electronics, autonomous IoT sensor nodes or even in the power grid. 
  • With its patented solution, the Zug-based start-up Synthara enables chip manufacturers to revolutionize their microchips and make them an astonishing 50 times more efficient. 

These three Swiss start-ups beat the competition yesterday in the final of the Swisscom Startup Challenge 2023. The prize for the most popular start-up in the public vote goes to the Zurich-based company HOPR, which develops high-security digital infrastructure. A total of 240 start-ups from over 30 countries applied for the eleventh edition of the funding programme.

The ten-member jury, consisting of representatives from Fastweb, ETH, Venturelab and Swisscom, was impressed by how Irmos Technologies, Swistor and Synthara not only demonstrated enormous economic potential with their deep-tech solutions, but are also making an active contribution to solving societal challenges such as climate protection, energy independence and infrastructure security.

For Isa Müller Wegner, Chief Group Strategy & Development at Swisscom since June 2023 and a member of the Challenge jury, selecting the three winners from a total of 240 applicants and 10 top, dedicated finalists was no easy task: "II am very pleased that all three winners have amazing solutions ready for the challenges of our time. This proves once again the innovative power of our start-ups – let’s let them make us great."

The three winners secured a place for themselves to participate in a tailor-made support programme in Silicon Valley, access to the Swisscom ecosystem and the chance to receive an investment from Swisscom Ventures.

Focus topic deep-tech

This year's Swisscom Startup Challenge underlines the growing importance of deep-tech in Switzerland and worldwide. Although Switzerland is one of the world's innovation champions internationally and produces a large number of research results and highly developed technologies, there is still a need for improved financing options for the commercialisation of these innovations. Swisscom is therefore actively committed to establishing Switzerland as the "Deep-Tech Nation Switzerland" on the world map of innovation.

The Swisscom Startup Challenge is a step on this path to increase the visibility of researchers and entrepreneurs, strengthen the ecosystem and create a more conducive investment climate.

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