Swiss Venture Capital Report 2024 Media Presentation (Swiss Venture Capital Report (startupticker))

Summary

• The Swiss venture capital market recorded a 35% decrease in overall capital invested during its first downturn since the financial crisis.p.3
• Regional investment distribution showed Zurich down 59% and Vaud down 19%, while total investment spanned across 23 cantons.p.6
• Cleantech reached the top sector position for the first time, accompanied by Micro/Nano recording the highest growth at +72%.p.7
• Invested capital for later stage financing declined by 47%, while early stage fell by 2% and seed stage dropped by 13%.p.9
• The median size of financing rounds reached 2.1 million, reflecting a 16% decrease.p.10
• The Swiss venture capital exit market experienced a 43% decrease in total transactions.p.17

Key insights

1. Swiss venture capital funding experienced a 35% decrease in its first major downturn since the financial crisis.p.3
2. Deep tech and life sciences represented a dominant share of top funding rounds, while ICT investments saw significant weakness.p.5
3. Cleantech reached the top position among investment sectors for the first time as Micro/Nano surged by +72%.p.7
4. Later stage capital invested plunged by 47% despite a 14% increase in the total number of later stage rounds.p.9
5. A financing bottleneck re-emerged for mid-sized rounds, with only 6% of funding rounds falling between 10 and 20 million.p.11
6. Venture capital fundraising retained resiliency, recording 52 open funds and 25 first closings.p.13
7. Investor sentiment stabilized with only 21% expecting declining startup investments next year compared to 30% previously.p.16
8. Exit activity dropped significantly with 43% less exits alongside a declining proportion of Swiss acquirers.p.17