The TOP 100 Investor Summit 2023 connects international investors with promising startups
06.09.2023 20:00
Rita Longobardi
The seventh edition of the TOP 100 Investor Summit became a meeting ground for both entrepreneurs and investors. Selected TOP 100 startups pitched their innovations to Swiss and international investors who were looking for innovations with big potential. The invitation-only event promoted dynamic discussions, inspiring presentations, and in-person networking. The TOP 100 Investor Summit 2023 was supported by Kellerhals Carrard, Swisscom Ventures, Canton of Vaud, Zühlke, and Zürcher Kantonalbank.
Selected TOP 100 Startups to impress an exclusive group of investors
More than a hundred international super angels, venture capital investors, corporate VCs, and family office representatives gathered at the TOP 100 Investor Summit today at the Startup Space in Schlieren. The event brought together handpicked TOP 100 startups in both the seed and growth stages, along with a pool of global investors, collectively bringing over 20 billion in investment capital to the table.
Nicolas Mosimann and Karim Maizar, Partners at Kellerhals Carrard
The Deep Tech Investor Dinner on Tuesday night brought together Swiss and international investors who met at ETH Zurich, anticipating the Investor Summit, creating a breeding ground for idea exchange and collaboration within the business and investment community, and seeking the next generation of Swiss "Soonicorns". The event was co-organized by Wyss Zurich, Kellerhals Carrard, and Venturelab.
"With the startups' impressive traction and robust evaluations, my optimism runs high."
Aleksandra Laska, Redalpine
"Our core investment goals are scaling globally with $700 million, focusing on the US and Asia, while strengthening our sales force. The TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards represents an amazing opportunity for startups, as it brings together the investment community with emerging businesses."
Samir Bouabdallah, Flybotix
Samir Bouabdallah, CEO of Flybotix
A busy agenda to discover the hidden gems within the Swiss startup world
The quality of the innovations and the expectations of the investors were high, when Stefan Steiner, co-managing director of Venturelab, welcomed the guests and kicked off the Investor Summit 2023. Karim Maizar and Nicolas Mosimann, Partners at Kellerhals Carrard, then provided an overview of the Swiss venture capital market and explained framework conditions for startups in Switzerland, including threats and opportunities.
During the morning session, 19 Swiss Startups from the TOP 100 list—both early-stage and growth-stage and covering a range of industries, including medtech, biotech, ICT, and engineering—presented their innovations. Their presentations attracted both national and international investors, showcasing the notable potential of Switzerland's innovation landscape.
Early-stage and growth-stage startup pitches
In the afternoon, a series of one-on-one meetings provided a special opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to establish connections. These interactions set the stage for the creation of successful fundraising stories.
What lies ahead for the Swiss startup ecosystem?
After the networking lunch, the investors and founders gathered for a panel discussion titled "Decrease in Fundraising: Is there a way out?" that was led by Jordi Montserrat, managing partner Venturelab, and included panelists Aleksandra Laska, Partner at Redalpine, Klea Wenger, Investment Director at Swisscom Ventures, Diego Braguglia, Managing Partner at VI Partners, and Patrick Griss, Executive Partner at Zühlke Ventures.
The Swiss startup landscape remains in the spotlight due to its expansion in funding, large rounds, and multiple IPOs. 2023 has presented several challenges, so the TOP 100 Investor Summit panel session set the stage for a significant conversation on the decrease in fundraising and secondary market.
Evaluating the progress of venture capital activities in the year 2023 up to this point "We've observed that providing founders with secondary market opportunities reduces their pressure, encouraging startups to embrace more calculated risks, ultimately increasing the potential for substantial exits."
Klea Wenger, Swisscom Ventures
"In Switzerland, the predominant challenge arises from the shortage of accessible growth capital within the country."
Patrick Griss, Zühlke Ventures
"To thrive in this market, forging a robust connection is imperative. We must transcend mediocrity, acknowledging the persistence of financial crises beyond our control. Therefore, our focus must be unwavering, dedicated to elevating startup quality."
Diego Braguglia, VI Partners
The poll results clearly indicate that the audience recognized the challenge, especially in Switzerland, where companies find themselves in a more distressed market than a positive one. The key takeaway is the importance of secondaries embracing international markets proactively, rather than remaining this stressed.
Patrick Barbey and Raphaël Conz from Vaud Region presenting at TOP 100 Investor Summit
