Startup ecosystem

Successful startups in the fields of forward-looking technologies represent the innovative strength and competitiveness of a location. The Greater Zurich region has developed into a very attractive location for successful startups.

Innovation and business-friendly environment

Greater Zurich has developed into a very attractive location for successful startups and offers the three most important ingredients for a thriving startup ecosystem: Talent, capital, and customers. In addition, the region is home to world-leading universities, renowned companies, mentors, incubators and accelerators, innovation support programs, and associations. An innovation and business-friendly environment and a sense of entrepreneurial spirit round off the package.

The innovative strength of Switzerland and Greater Zurich offers the ideal breeding ground for unicorns. At least five privately held startups reached the prestigious "unicorn" status with a valuation of over one billion US dollars, including four from Greater Zurich: GetYourGuide (travel platform), Wefox (insurance marketplace), Numbrs (banking app) and Acronis (cybersecurity).

Das ETH-Spin-off Climeworks hat die weltweit erste Technologie zur Entfernung von CO2 aus der Atmosphäre auf den Markt gebracht. — Climeworks, a spin-off from ETH Zurich, has launched the world's first technology for removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The gas can be used, for example, to produce synthetic fuel or carbon dioxide for beverages.

As a digital health startup, we have greatly benefited from Greater Zurich, especially when it comes to hiring highly qualified and talented people in complex areas such as data science.

Lea von Bidder - Co-founder and CEO of Ava

Investments in start-ups at record-high in Switzerland

The Swiss start-up scene is very diverse and this has proven to be strong even during crisis. Investment in Swiss startups repeatedly set a new record in 2022, with almost CHF 4 billion in venture capital invested in start-ups. Financing rounds are also at an all-time high with 383 in 2022.

Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023

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Facts and figures

The combined enterprise value of Swiss start-ups is USD 159 billion, an increase of 3.7 x since 2016

Swiss start-ups received CHF 3.9 billion in VC from investors in 2022

ICT, Fintech and Cleantech attracted 75% of VC funding in 2022

Switzerland ranks amongst the highest in Europe in terms of VC-funding per capita

Combined enterprise value of Swiss spin-offs increased 18x, from USD 480 mio in 2015 to USD 8.7 bio

TOP 100 Startups by canton

Top 100 Swiss Startups 2023 — Source: Venturelab

Download TOP 100 Swiss Startup Magazine

Presenting the Who's Who of the Swiss startup ecosystem, the magazine portrays the most promising Swiss startups, which were selected by the TOP 100 Jury. Additionally, the publication analyzes the rankings and features interviews with key personalities of the ecosystem, venture capital investors, and business angels.

Top100 Swiss Startups 2023 Magazine

PDF (16.47 MB)

Startups are looking for three key assets: capital, customers and talent. Zurich is very attractive in all three.

Stefan Steiner, Co-Managing Director, Venturelab

Stefan Steiner - Co-Managing Director at Venturelab

Interview about the startup ecosystem

Innovation Hub Greater Zurich Area

Switzerland and the Greater Zurich Area in particular are world leaders in research, knowledge and innovation. The established exchange between academic institutions and the private sector as well as access to highly qualified specialists make the Greater Zurich Area an innovation hub.

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Greater Zurich is an ideal location for us investors. New startups with brilliant ideas are emerging almost daily from ETH and the University of Zurich. And the wide range of large and small companies directly on site, offer founders direct access to potential first customers.