The 15 most promising Swiss ICT startups of 2023, according to investors

The 100 most innovative and promising Swiss startups are picked by a panel of 100 leading investors and industry experts and are revealed at the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award. This year, ICT has 15 representative startups in the TOP 100 (including 2 in the TOP 10). They stand as beacons of Switzerland's commitment to technological advancement and its reputation as a hub for innovative solutions. Let's find out together who they are!

The annual ranking of the TOP 100 Swiss Startups has become a benchmark in Switzerland’s startup ecosystem—and beyond. Every year, a panel of 100 leading investors and startup experts chooses the 100 most innovative and promising Swiss startups. Each jury member nominates 10 Swiss startups that are fewer than five years old and show the greatest commercial potential. The first-placed company receives 10 points, the second nine points, and so on. The individual rankings are compiled to generate the final TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award ranking. In parallel, the TOP 100 Public Voting allows everyone with a LinkedIn account to cast one vote and choose the most promising startup per vertical.

Discover the 15 ICT startups that impressed the TOP 100 Jury and the public the most with their innovative solutions.



Carvolution, #4
The Bern startup has been shaking up the car market for five years. With its car subscription, the Carvolution crew has created a new segment between short-term car rental and longer-term leasing – and thus struck a chord with the general public. The car subscription enables individual mobility without the customer having to make a long-term investment. It also allows them to react more quickly to new situations or changed needs.

Skribble, #9
A small difference with a big effect: if a company switches from paper to digital signatures, it can save time and money. However, the regulatory requirements for legally valid digital signatures are high, data security is a sticking point, and integration into a company’s system could be complex. Zurich startup Skribble has the solution: it offers a platform through which all contracts and documents can be legally digitally signed. By focusing on security and offering the highest quality signature standard, the qualified electronic signature, Skribble can create legally valid e-signatures in heavily regulated areas with high-security requirements.

DeepJudje, #21
The ETH spin-off has developed AI-supported software with a semantic understanding, thus allowing answers to complex questions to be found in mountains of files, judgements, and legal documents. In 2022, DeepJudge was chosen as ‘Early-Stage Startup of the Year’ at the SwissFinTech Awards. The first paid pilot projects with law firms are underway.

EthonAI, #22
ETH spin-off EthonAI’s software tools recognise at an early stage which machines need maintenance. leading to more productivity and fewer failures in the automated manufacturing processes. Siemens and Roche are already customers, and German venture capital investor Earlybird sees EthonAI as a billion-dollar company of tomorrow and invested CHF 6 million in the startup at the beginning of 2023.

Unique, #31
Unique’s SaaS solution is able to record and analyse sales calls from financial and insurance representatives in 12 languages, including Swiss-German. It automatically creates executive summaries, follow-up emails and announcements. At the end of March, serial entrepreneur and CEO Manuel Grenacher raised another USD 4 million in seed capital.

Lakera, #34
AI algorithms learn independently from the data fed to them, but how they do this is often unclear to the user. So, the Lakera team has developed a testing tool for AI programs that shows how AI-based image recognition systems work and evaluates the reliability of the output. Founded in 2021, the company targets the healthcare, autonomous mobility, industry and retail sectors.

Neural Concept, #39
The EPFL spin-off’s deep learning algorithms accelerate the simulation of devices, machines and systems by factors and are used in the development departments of large companies, such as aircraft manufacturer Airbus. In April, a team led by CEO and co-founder Pierre Baqué travelled to Silicon Valley with Venture Leaders in preparation for entry into the US market.

rready, #52
The ‘kickbox’ approach of rready encourages employees to develop their full potential by tapping into their distributed knowledge in a playful way and then integrating it into an innovation process. The startup, which emerged from Swisscom, has already gained more than 30 customers in 15 countries. With its own offices and first employees, rready now wants to gain a stronger foothold in the US.

CareerFairy, #73
The Zurich-based HR startup operates a live-streaming platform on which recruiters present their vacancies. The targets are young talents from CareerFairy’s university network. Four years after its foundation, it has well over 250 corporate clients, including well-known names such as McKinsey, ABB, L’Oréal, BMW and UBS.

Assaia International, #76
Assaia International’s AI-powered image recognition software monitors and optimises typical airport operations, such as aircraft refuelling and loading. In March this year, the company announced a strategic partnership with International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways and Iberia. The ETH spin-off employs 45 people in Switzerland and the US.

Pasta Software Studio (PastaHR), #77
PastaHR’s SaaS platform allows corporate clients to manage their interaction with job candidates via chat platforms such as WhatsApp. The system is designed for professional groups with a daily routine away from a computer. Less than a year after its foundation, the Zurich-based startup already serves major clients such as the Paraplegic Centre Nottwil, Balgrist University Hospital and building technology group Meier Tobler.

TYXIT (Sonix), #86
TYXIT has developed a desktop app for interactions with very short response times, enabling musicians and gamers to make music or play together regardless of location. In autumn 2022, the EPFL spin-off raised CHF 2 million in a financing round, which will be used to further develop a platform aimed at gamers under the Sonix brand. The beta version was used at one of the largest school LAN events in the US at the beginning of 2023 – with great success.

nexoya, #88
Nexoya offers an AI-based platform for the automated distribution of advertising on various digital channels, as well as tools for the optimization of advertising budgets. About 40 digital channels are currently connected and more are to be integrated. In spring 2023, the Zurich startup received USD 5 million in venture capital in a series A financing round.

Gossik, #90
The AI-based app from Gossik supports users in planning their tasks and completing pending tasks. The productivity assistant is tailored specifically to children and young people with ADHD. In 2022, Gossik received a high six-figure investment from existing investors, including Startfeld, and new investors, such as investment company Fortyone.

Nimagna, #91
Nimagna develops autonomous video production software for immersive online presentations. A simple webcam can be used to create professional recordings for online pitches, training courses and team meetings. The Zurich startup currently has a few dozen beta testers.

PUBLIC VOTING: CARIFY
CARIFY gives its customers the flexibility to choose the right car for the right need at the right time, delivered right to their doorstep on demand.

The 13th edition of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award 2023 celebrated Switzerland's best startups. Discover the cleantech startups and all the details in the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Magazine 2023 or follow the hashtag #TOP100SSU on Linkedin, Twitter, and Instagram for impressions.