The TOP Swiss ICT Startups 2021

Get to know the top ICT startups that impressed the expert jury and the public, and discover how the 16 innovative companies leverage the potential of digitalization to simplify and optimize our connected lives.

The TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award showcases the most promising Swiss startups. The annual ranking 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 less than five years old and show the greatest commercial potential. The first-placed company gets 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 can cast one vote and choose the most promising startup per vertical.
 
Learn more about the 16 ICT startups that received the most points from the members of the TOP 100 Jury and the public in 2021: 



5. Carvolution
Carvolution revolutionizes the Swiss car market. The Bannwil-based startup aims to make it easy and affordable for everyone to own a car: Switzerland’s car subscription pioneer in Switzerland offers a wide range of cars in an all-inclusive bundle that includes Insurance, license plates, taxes, tires—basically everything but fuel. In 2020, the number of Carvolution subscribers tripled, with the trend stabilizing in the current year. The startup has raised more than CHF 75 million since it was founded in 2018.

13. Ledgy 
Ledgy is the startup for startups: The Zurich ICT company offers an all-around service for companies, lawyers, trustees, and financiers. The Ledgy platform gives them a constant overview of key figures, investments, and holdings. Ledgy now wants to open the system to listed companies as well and, thus, gain a new customer segment.

29. Neural Concept
EPFL spin-off Neural Concept has developed the first 3D deep learning software for computer-aided engineering and design – deep learning algorithms to help companies accelerate their research and development cycles. At the start of the year, the current investors, High-Tech Gründerfonds and Constantia New Business, increased their commitment and, thus, laid the basis for further development.

43. Luckabox Logistics
Shipping platform Luckabox currently networks 50 parcel, express, and bike couriers with the retail trade. Its value proposition promises goods delivery in urban areas in less than an hour. Distancing rules and travel restrictions have boosted business over the past 18 months: In December 2020, the Winterthur-based company recorded an increase in shipment volume of more than 2,300%, and it has won major customers, including Jelmoli, Valora, and IKEA.

51. Gmelius
Gmelius’ business software complements Gmail accounts and bundles the various communication channels within a company. Employees can use their mailboxes to manage projects, answer customer inquiries, and automate contacts.

62. Dotphoton
The size and number of images taken each year are growing rapidly, putting a strain on storage media and networks. Dotphoton has developed an image compression solution for professional applications that reduces raw data images up to 10 times – and with the guarantee that the quality will be maintained. CEO Eugenia Balysheva’s team enables novel imaging solutions in the areas of AI, biomedicine, and aerospace.

63. Imverse 
With the Imverse Live3D software, live 3D holograms can be captured, edited, and streamed by several people in real time. The technology is used in the fields of telemedicine, training, entertainment, and remote collaboration. At CES 2021, held online and in front of corporations that included Samsung and Shenzhen Maono, Imverse won the award in the “Streaming” category.

64. Eyeware Tech
Eyeware Tech is a spin-off from EPFL and the Idiap Research Institute that programs software that can be used to record the eye movements of users via a 3D camera. Eye-tracking represents a promising interface between man and machine. Electronics company ams is already using the Valais-based firm’s technology to develop a system that detects drowsiness in drivers.

67. LatticeFlow 
The tools from LatticeFlow, an ETH spin-off founded in 2020, help AI developers make their mathematical models for machine learning applications more secure and reliable. The first customers include SBB, the German federal office for cybersecurity, and the US Army. At the beginning of the year, the Zurich-based company secured USD 2.8 million in a seed round. 

76: BitsaboutMe
Since the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force, the operators of online activities are no longer allowed to pass on user data unreservedly. However, the data appetite of the advertising economy is unsatisfied. BitsaboutMe jumps into this gap: Consumers can upload their social media profiles, online accounts, and customer card data to a personal account, manage it, and make it available to selected companies for a fee.

77. VAY
The original goal of VAY’s founders was to market a smartphone fitness app. However, it was the underlying AI-supported motion capture platform that caused a sensation in the market. Since the pivot, Ben Simon, Joel Roos, and Caspar Leuzinger have addressed corporate customers in the health and fitness sector. In June 2021, they presented with Venture Leaders Mobile at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

79. Assaia International
Assaia International promises significant increases in efficiency to an aviation industry under historically unique cost pressure due to the pandemic. The AI-supported image recognition software monitors, analyzes, and optimizes typical airport work processes, such as refueling and loading aircraft. The ETH spin-off employs about 40 people in Zurich and Texas.

86. Legartis Technology
Legartis’ clients—law firms and legal departments—use the AI-based tool to review contracts; for example, non-disclosure agreements (NDA). Legartis classifies and checks an NDA within a few seconds, relieving employees of the repetitive work. Other typical use cases may include searching for specific clauses in extensive contracts and reviewing contracts for compliance with legal requirements and other guidelines.

90. Alaya
Alaya supports companies that want to enable their employees to do charitable work in an uncomplicated and digital way. The alayagood.com platform gives access to more than 150 organizations looking for volunteers, skills, and donations and is already active in more than 70 countries with branches in London, Paris, and Barcelona. Customers include large companies such as PwC, Société Générale, BNP Paribas, and Hermès.

92. Talent Maps 
Working from home has advantages and disadvantages, and one of the disadvantages is the elimination of chance encounters at the coffee machine. On 8 March, the St. Gallen startup Talent Maps launched a digital alternative with “CoffeeCall.” The telephone and video app brings remote employees of a company together across departmental boundaries and hierarchical levels for a 10-minute break. Swisscom was one of the pilot customers.

Public Voting: Authena 
Authena revolutionizes how brands protect their products, reputation, and customers. The Zug-based startup develops patented product tracing technology that enables products to be tracked from the production site to the consumer, helping to prevent counterfeiting and fraud. Authena won the TOP 100 Voting for the second consecutive year.