Venture Kick

Venture Kick is a private philanthropic initiative based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2007 to support Swiss startups at the pre-seed stage. It provides up to 150,000 Swiss francs in funding and offers structured entrepreneurial training aimed at developing sustainable businesses. Entrepreneurs participate in a competitive process, pitching their ideas up to three times for increasing funding amounts, while receiving valuable feedback from expert juries. To date, Venture Kick has supported 600 startup projects with a total of 24.9 million francs, leading to the incorporation of 454 active companies that have created over 6,000 jobs and attracted approximately 2.49 billion francs in subsequent investments. Companies founded by Venture Kick alumni have notably achieved significant recognition, with 55 percent of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award in 2018 represented by these ventures. In 2019, the initiative aimed to allocate 4.35 million francs to support idea-stage projects, facilitating the transition of Swiss scientific innovations to global markets.

Beat Schillig

Founder

Past deals in Smart Cities

Planeto

Grant in 2023
Planeto is an energy transition company that specializes in providing energy planning software solutions aimed at decarbonizing the heating energy supply in buildings. The company develops energy efficiency software that facilitates the creation of district heating and cooling networks, connecting buildings to renewable energy sources. This approach enables clients to achieve a sustainable and clean environment, contributing to broader efforts in the energy transition.

Evoly

Grant in 2022
Evoly specializes in transforming traditional energy meters into smart devices at a significantly reduced cost. The company offers a comprehensive technology solution that assists energy providers in accessing and analyzing their customers' consumption data for both electricity and water. By combining software and hardware components, Evoly's platform facilitates real-time insights into the electric grid and supports various services such as gateway management and live data tracking. This allows energy providers to automate essential tasks, including fraud detection, remote reading, automatic billing, and dynamic pricing. Through its innovative approach, Evoly enhances operational efficiency for energy providers while improving customer engagement.

Biosimo Chemicals

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Biosimo is a chemical engineering start-up focused on producing bio-based platform chemicals through innovative processes. The company aims to develop sustainable chemicals by utilizing advanced catalytic reactions and purification techniques. Its flagship technology replaces traditional production methods of acetic acid, which typically rely on coal and gas, with a novel approach that uses ethanol derived from biomass and waste. This shift not only supports the chemical, pharmaceutical, and material industries but also provides a direct alternative to fossil-based resources, promoting a more sustainable chemical production landscape.

Biosimo Chemicals

Grant in 2022
Biosimo is a chemical engineering start-up focused on producing bio-based platform chemicals through innovative processes. The company aims to develop sustainable chemicals by utilizing advanced catalytic reactions and purification techniques. Its flagship technology replaces traditional production methods of acetic acid, which typically rely on coal and gas, with a novel approach that uses ethanol derived from biomass and waste. This shift not only supports the chemical, pharmaceutical, and material industries but also provides a direct alternative to fossil-based resources, promoting a more sustainable chemical production landscape.

SwissInspect

Grant in 2022
SwissInspect is a technology company specializing in infrastructure and building inspection. It develops a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that creates digital twins of physical structures, enabling construction companies to identify structural defects, predict the asset's remaining lifespan, and plan maintenance or reconstruction accordingly.

Evoly

Grant in 2022
Evoly specializes in transforming traditional energy meters into smart devices at a significantly reduced cost. The company offers a comprehensive technology solution that assists energy providers in accessing and analyzing their customers' consumption data for both electricity and water. By combining software and hardware components, Evoly's platform facilitates real-time insights into the electric grid and supports various services such as gateway management and live data tracking. This allows energy providers to automate essential tasks, including fraud detection, remote reading, automatic billing, and dynamic pricing. Through its innovative approach, Evoly enhances operational efficiency for energy providers while improving customer engagement.

Sympheny

Venture Round in 2022
Sympheny is a provider of software-as-a-service solutions and energy planning services aimed at assisting planners and managers in optimizing energy systems across various scales, from individual buildings to entire neighborhoods and cities. The company leverages digital twin technology combined with advanced optimization algorithms to transform energy performance objectives that once seemed unattainable into feasible design solutions. This innovative approach significantly reduces the time required for energy analyses, allowing complex evaluations that previously took days to be completed in just hours. As a result, local energy planners benefit from enhanced energy performance, more informed investment decisions, increased stakeholder support, and a reduction in wasted time and resources, all contributing to the broader goal of advancing sustainability initiatives.

Sympheny

Convertible Note in 2019
Sympheny is a provider of software-as-a-service solutions and energy planning services aimed at assisting planners and managers in optimizing energy systems across various scales, from individual buildings to entire neighborhoods and cities. The company leverages digital twin technology combined with advanced optimization algorithms to transform energy performance objectives that once seemed unattainable into feasible design solutions. This innovative approach significantly reduces the time required for energy analyses, allowing complex evaluations that previously took days to be completed in just hours. As a result, local energy planners benefit from enhanced energy performance, more informed investment decisions, increased stakeholder support, and a reduction in wasted time and resources, all contributing to the broader goal of advancing sustainability initiatives.

Roll2Go

Grant in 2019
Roll2Go is a digital platform focused on the visualization and monitoring of shared micro-mobility services, such as bicycles and e-scooters. By streamlining collaboration between cities and micro-mobility service providers, Roll2Go automates processes that include data collection, visualization, permit management, and safety measures. The platform enables city authorities to make real-time, data-driven decisions by offering mobility data fusion, analytics, and visualization tools. Additionally, it generates customized reports and provides real-time map tracking to enhance the monitoring of shared vehicles, ultimately contributing to the success of micro-mobility in urban environments. The team at Roll2Go brings a diverse background in transportation, IT, and business, fostering innovation in the urban mobility ecosystem.

SUIND

Grant in 2019
SUIND AG is a Zurich-based company that develops artificial intelligence-driven technology to enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability. The company specializes in precision farming solutions that address challenges such as crop loss from pest infestations and environmental variability. SUIND's drones, equipped with multispectral cameras, utilize computer vision and AI-based navigation to automate crop analysis and agro-chemical application across complex terrains. This innovative approach has led to significant reductions in agro-chemical usage by up to 60 percent and water requirements by 90 percent, while simultaneously doubling operational efficacy. By providing farmers with comprehensive insights through an easy-to-use dashboard, SUIND enables them to detect pests and diseases, implement effective treatment plans, and maximize crop yields, thereby improving overall agricultural productivity.

YASAI

Grant in 2019
Yasai GmbH operates circular vertical farms within urban environments, providing rental grow space to customers. Established in 2020 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, the company cultivates a variety of herbs, including Thai basil, mint, coriander, and thyme, using sustainable methods that prioritize local production. Yasai employs innovative techniques by utilizing 90% of wastewater and capturing CO2 emissions from city traffic to enhance plant growth, all while avoiding harmful pesticides. This approach not only promotes the availability of fresh, pesticide-free products but also supports local food systems and reduces environmental impact. The company's mission centers on contributing to a circular economy and fostering healthier ecosystems for people, plants, and the planet.

Sympheny

Grant in 2019
Sympheny is a provider of software-as-a-service solutions and energy planning services aimed at assisting planners and managers in optimizing energy systems across various scales, from individual buildings to entire neighborhoods and cities. The company leverages digital twin technology combined with advanced optimization algorithms to transform energy performance objectives that once seemed unattainable into feasible design solutions. This innovative approach significantly reduces the time required for energy analyses, allowing complex evaluations that previously took days to be completed in just hours. As a result, local energy planners benefit from enhanced energy performance, more informed investment decisions, increased stakeholder support, and a reduction in wasted time and resources, all contributing to the broader goal of advancing sustainability initiatives.

TestCompany

Grant in 2019
TestCompany specializes in utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance the management of urban sewer systems. By applying deep learning techniques, cloud computing, and data analysis, the company addresses the challenges posed by urbanization. Its innovative solutions aim to improve the sustainability and resilience of communities, ensuring that urban drainage systems are more efficient and effective in responding to the demands of growing populations.

Gilytics

Grant in 2018
Gilytics AG specializes in developing advanced computing and 3D visualization technology solutions aimed at optimizing the planning of transportation and energy infrastructures. Founded in 2017 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, the company offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that automates the planning and siting of both linear and distributed infrastructure, including energy and transport sectors. Its interactive web application assists various industries, such as utilities, power grid operators, and renewable energy projects, by providing tools for identifying optimal routes for new transmission lines. Additionally, Gilytics enhances stakeholder engagement through its 3D visualization capabilities, facilitating better communication with authorities and communities involved in infrastructure development.

Swiss Blockchain Technology

Grant in 2018
Swiss Blockchain Technology creates physical products that protect the digital financial assets, the digital identity, the privacy and the communications of individuals and organizations in the digital world. Their products fulfil the high security needs of the new Crypto Finance, Digital Communications and Internet-of-Things international markets.

Hive Power

Grant in 2017
Hive Power is a technology company that focuses on optimizing energy management through advanced artificial intelligence and blockchain solutions. Its core product, FLEXO, allows organizations to manage various grid-connected assets, including energy communities and electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, Hive Power has developed a blockchain-based energy meter that facilitates safe and efficient energy trading, promoting the use of solar power and battery storage. This innovative meter enhances asset management and ensures optimal power quality while supporting grid stability through features like current limitation and peak shaving. By enabling local energy communities to reduce costs and maximize the value of their energy resources, Hive Power contributes to a smarter and more sustainable energy ecosystem.

Gilytics

Grant in 2017
Gilytics AG specializes in developing advanced computing and 3D visualization technology solutions aimed at optimizing the planning of transportation and energy infrastructures. Founded in 2017 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, the company offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that automates the planning and siting of both linear and distributed infrastructure, including energy and transport sectors. Its interactive web application assists various industries, such as utilities, power grid operators, and renewable energy projects, by providing tools for identifying optimal routes for new transmission lines. Additionally, Gilytics enhances stakeholder engagement through its 3D visualization capabilities, facilitating better communication with authorities and communities involved in infrastructure development.

SAMAWATT

Grant in 2017
SAMAWATT AG is a Swiss company that provides technology solutions for wind and solar park operators, aiming to optimize the sales of renewable energy. Founded in 2018 and based in Eysins, the company specializes in artificial intelligence-driven trading services that help producers manage risks associated with fluctuating energy production and market prices. SAMAWATT's software integrates various functions, including production and price forecasting, spot market trading strategies, battery storage optimization, and enabling peer-to-peer energy exchange. By employing advanced algorithms, the company assists its clients in reducing penalties related to electric grid imbalances and minimizing market losses, thereby contributing to a more efficient and sustainable energy trading environment.

Zippsafe

Seed Round in 2017
Zippsafe AG is a technology company that specializes in space-efficient storage solutions. It focuses on the development, manufacture, and installation of innovative lockable closing bags designed for changing rooms and public spaces. By utilizing a flexible, smart fabric-based locker system, Zippsafe's self-service wardrobe systems provide an effective alternative to traditional sheet metal lockers. This design not only enhances efficiency but also maximizes available space, making it particularly beneficial for event organizers, conference centers, and warehouse owners. Through its products, Zippsafe aims to help clients reduce costs and increase occupancy in various settings.

Zippsafe

Grant in 2016
Zippsafe AG is a technology company that specializes in space-efficient storage solutions. It focuses on the development, manufacture, and installation of innovative lockable closing bags designed for changing rooms and public spaces. By utilizing a flexible, smart fabric-based locker system, Zippsafe's self-service wardrobe systems provide an effective alternative to traditional sheet metal lockers. This design not only enhances efficiency but also maximizes available space, making it particularly beneficial for event organizers, conference centers, and warehouse owners. Through its products, Zippsafe aims to help clients reduce costs and increase occupancy in various settings.

Technis

Pre Seed Round in 2016
Technis is a company focused on developing innovative connected and interactive flooring solutions. By creating intelligent touch-enabled surfaces, Technis aims to enhance the functionality of physical spaces. The company also operates software designed to digitalize retail stores and buildings, enabling the collection of real-time data on foot traffic, customer behavior, and environmental quality. This information assists clients in making informed decisions and streamlining complex operational processes. Through its unique offerings, Technis is positioned to transform how businesses interact with their physical environments.

Zippsafe

Grant in 2016
Zippsafe AG is a technology company that specializes in space-efficient storage solutions. It focuses on the development, manufacture, and installation of innovative lockable closing bags designed for changing rooms and public spaces. By utilizing a flexible, smart fabric-based locker system, Zippsafe's self-service wardrobe systems provide an effective alternative to traditional sheet metal lockers. This design not only enhances efficiency but also maximizes available space, making it particularly beneficial for event organizers, conference centers, and warehouse owners. Through its products, Zippsafe aims to help clients reduce costs and increase occupancy in various settings.

Technis

Grant in 2015
Technis is a company focused on developing innovative connected and interactive flooring solutions. By creating intelligent touch-enabled surfaces, Technis aims to enhance the functionality of physical spaces. The company also operates software designed to digitalize retail stores and buildings, enabling the collection of real-time data on foot traffic, customer behavior, and environmental quality. This information assists clients in making informed decisions and streamlining complex operational processes. Through its unique offerings, Technis is positioned to transform how businesses interact with their physical environments.

Technis

Grant in 2015
Technis is a company focused on developing innovative connected and interactive flooring solutions. By creating intelligent touch-enabled surfaces, Technis aims to enhance the functionality of physical spaces. The company also operates software designed to digitalize retail stores and buildings, enabling the collection of real-time data on foot traffic, customer behavior, and environmental quality. This information assists clients in making informed decisions and streamlining complex operational processes. Through its unique offerings, Technis is positioned to transform how businesses interact with their physical environments.

Flyability

Seed Round in 2015
Flyability SA is a Swiss company founded in 2014 and based in Lausanne, specializing in the development and manufacturing of flying robots designed for industrial inspections in inaccessible and confined spaces. The company’s flagship product, Elios, is a collision-tolerant flying robot that allows for safe inspections in complex environments, such as within buildings and urban areas, reducing the need for human presence in hazardous situations. Flyability’s technology addresses critical issues in the rapidly growing drone industry, particularly concerning collision and injury risks. Its applications extend beyond industrial inspections to include search and rescue operations and security assessments, enabling professionals to gather vital data while ensuring safety. The company has received numerous accolades, including the Drones for Good Award, reflecting its commitment to innovation and societal impact.

Smart-LED

Grant in 2014
Smart-LED is offering smart led streetlights that empower safety and green functionalities.

Flyability

Grant in 2014
Flyability SA is a Swiss company founded in 2014 and based in Lausanne, specializing in the development and manufacturing of flying robots designed for industrial inspections in inaccessible and confined spaces. The company’s flagship product, Elios, is a collision-tolerant flying robot that allows for safe inspections in complex environments, such as within buildings and urban areas, reducing the need for human presence in hazardous situations. Flyability’s technology addresses critical issues in the rapidly growing drone industry, particularly concerning collision and injury risks. Its applications extend beyond industrial inspections to include search and rescue operations and security assessments, enabling professionals to gather vital data while ensuring safety. The company has received numerous accolades, including the Drones for Good Award, reflecting its commitment to innovation and societal impact.

Flyability

Grant in 2014
Flyability SA is a Swiss company founded in 2014 and based in Lausanne, specializing in the development and manufacturing of flying robots designed for industrial inspections in inaccessible and confined spaces. The company’s flagship product, Elios, is a collision-tolerant flying robot that allows for safe inspections in complex environments, such as within buildings and urban areas, reducing the need for human presence in hazardous situations. Flyability’s technology addresses critical issues in the rapidly growing drone industry, particularly concerning collision and injury risks. Its applications extend beyond industrial inspections to include search and rescue operations and security assessments, enabling professionals to gather vital data while ensuring safety. The company has received numerous accolades, including the Drones for Good Award, reflecting its commitment to innovation and societal impact.

Hydro-Monitoring

Grant in 2013
Hydro-Monitoring improves the management of contaminated water in increasingly populated urban areas by monitoring water quality without physical contact, providing accurate data in real-time for authorities. Hydro-Monitoring offers managers of wastewater treatment plants and environmental authorities a maintenance-free wastewater flow and pollution monitoring system, and data analysis services. Using Hydro-Monitoring's solutions, you save on manpower, can seamlessly implement the polluters pay tax, are fully confident in the data quality, and have increased flexibility regarding installation sites.

Park It

Grant in 2013
Park It is a parking platform that focuses on sharing parking spaces. The idea is to use Park It to bring together the demand and the unused range of parking spaces. So existing resources, such as free parking, can be shared when not in use. Park owners can park their parking space whenever they do not need it themselves. In addition, an ecological contribution is made by reducing the search traffic in the city center. It allows parking seekers to easily and conveniently find and book a parking space.

Teralytics

Grant in 2013
Teralytics is a company specializing in mobility analytics, providing deep insights into human mobility needs through the use of big data and advanced machine learning. The company's platform is designed to optimize transportation planning and operations, helping clients address significant mobility challenges. Teralytics aims to transform how journeys are planned and managed, focusing on improving journey times, ensuring accessibility, enhancing operational efficiencies, and minimizing environmental impact. By delivering actionable insights, Teralytics supports the development of sustainable mobility solutions that cater to the needs of individuals and communities both now and in the future.

Novaccess

Grant in 2012
Novaccess S.A. is a technology company based in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, specializing in products for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Established in 2011 as a spin-off from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Western Switzerland, the company focuses on developing hardware and software solutions for smart city applications, particularly in street lighting and road traffic management. Its product offerings include various types of controllers—pole, wall, and cable—as well as the NovaLight Gateway for connecting controllers to remote systems. Additionally, the NovaLight Software enables functionalities such as street light mapping, scheduling dimming profiles, analyzing energy consumption, and detecting failures. By providing innovative remote control solutions, Novaccess aims to enhance operational efficiency, convenience, and sustainability for urban environments and industries.

Hydro-Monitoring

Grant in 2012
Hydro-Monitoring improves the management of contaminated water in increasingly populated urban areas by monitoring water quality without physical contact, providing accurate data in real-time for authorities. Hydro-Monitoring offers managers of wastewater treatment plants and environmental authorities a maintenance-free wastewater flow and pollution monitoring system, and data analysis services. Using Hydro-Monitoring's solutions, you save on manpower, can seamlessly implement the polluters pay tax, are fully confident in the data quality, and have increased flexibility regarding installation sites.

Teralytics

Grant in 2012
Teralytics is a company specializing in mobility analytics, providing deep insights into human mobility needs through the use of big data and advanced machine learning. The company's platform is designed to optimize transportation planning and operations, helping clients address significant mobility challenges. Teralytics aims to transform how journeys are planned and managed, focusing on improving journey times, ensuring accessibility, enhancing operational efficiencies, and minimizing environmental impact. By delivering actionable insights, Teralytics supports the development of sustainable mobility solutions that cater to the needs of individuals and communities both now and in the future.

ElectricFeel

Grant in 2012
ElectricFeel AG, founded in 2012 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in developing software that facilitates the integration of E-Bikes and charging infrastructures, promoting a pollution-free transportation system. The company focuses on creating sustainable and profitable fleets of electric vehicles by leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise. Its software solutions manage various aspects of shared electric mobility, including fleet usage, maintenance, user accounts, payments, billing, and data analytics. By providing these comprehensive services, ElectricFeel enables entrepreneurs, utilities, and mobility providers to effectively establish and scale their micromobility businesses, ensuring a seamless user experience for customers.

Citiviz

Grant in 2011
Citiviz creates smart urban mobility applications & ecosystems for citizens, experts and stakeholders. They like sharing ideas about innovative transportation solutions and sustainable cities! They develop computing and geo-visualization solutions for urban intelligence, spatio-temporal monitoring and decision making. Citiviz is specialized on urban transportation and innovative mobility for sustainable cities. Three products are commercialized: Parking Monitoring, Shared Mobility Monitoring, and Advanced Graph/Spatial Computing Platform. They are a team of experienced and quick study engineers! Citiviz is delivering consulting and business intelligence product for urban mobility, contributing to the next generation of intelligent cities. Their solutions and expertise are used by multinationals, enterprises, SMEs, public institutions, professionals and experts, academics, and R&D groups. Their clients are mainly located in Switzerland, France, Scotland and United Kingdom. Citiviz’ ecosystem and knowledge help them in solving complex problems and in answering urgent needs related to transportation, urban & regional planning, architecture and environmental engineering. Founded in August 2012, Citiviz Sàrl (Citiviz) is a spin-off from Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory (LASIG) leaded by Prof. François Golay. Over last 10 years, Citiviz and its international R&D partners have completed different projects in various countries: Québec City, Barcelona, Genève, Portugal, Bagdad, Winterthur, Ljubljana, Nice Côte d'Azur. Based on their solutions, these projects were looking on building better knowledge for actions related to transportation, economic development & management, urban planning and humanitarian crisis analysis.

ElectricFeel

Grant in 2011
ElectricFeel AG, founded in 2012 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in developing software that facilitates the integration of E-Bikes and charging infrastructures, promoting a pollution-free transportation system. The company focuses on creating sustainable and profitable fleets of electric vehicles by leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise. Its software solutions manage various aspects of shared electric mobility, including fleet usage, maintenance, user accounts, payments, billing, and data analytics. By providing these comprehensive services, ElectricFeel enables entrepreneurs, utilities, and mobility providers to effectively establish and scale their micromobility businesses, ensuring a seamless user experience for customers.

Enovacities

Grant in 2011
Enovacities is an assessment tool of urban environmental quality.

Powersens

Grant in 2010
Powersens is a company that develops and sells a mobile solution featuring smart electronic shoe insoles. These insoles are designed to address orthopedic ailments by collecting foot data through pressure sensors embedded within the shoe. The technology provides biofeedback and analysis, helping users to monitor their walking patterns and prevent potential orthopedic complications. By integrating innovative sensor technology into footwear, Powersens aims to enhance foot health and improve overall mobility for its users.

Decentlab

Grant in 2009
Decentlab GmbH, based in Dübendorf, Switzerland, specializes in the manufacture of wireless sensor devices that utilize LoRaWAN technology for cost-effective monitoring solutions. Established in 2008, the company offers a range of ultra low-power sensor devices designed for various industrial applications, capable of operating on batteries for several years in challenging indoor and outdoor environments. Decentlab's services include data access, visualization, management platforms, and seamless integration into existing monitoring systems. The company's products are distributed through local resellers across several countries, including Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain, the United States, Chile, Portugal, and Australia. Application areas for Decentlab's solutions encompass environmental monitoring, air quality assessment, hydrological measurements, smart agriculture, and smart city initiatives, facilitating efficient data collection and real-time monitoring across multiple locations.
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