
Newcomers – first seen at SUD
Experience a transformative journey with our refreshing pitching format: Newcomers. It is designed to discover Switzerland’s hidden startup gems who are on a promising track and ready to be shown to the world! Ventures in the pre- or seed phase will showcase their innovation on our national stage to approach investors and receive consultation from experts and valuable market insights.
Unlock innovation in Switzerland!
Over the last few months, we received more than 120 applications, and the quality of the submissions was exceptional. Our expert jury carefully selected 18 outstanding startups for their innovative #DeepTech or #AppliedTech ideas. On 30 May 2024, all of them took the stage and delivered impressive presentations about their innovative technologies.
The application window for the next edition opens on 2 December 2024. Get notified.
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Catch of the Jury 2024
Three of the 18 startups caught the jury’s special attention – called the “Catch of the Jury”. They’ve been announced and presented at startup days. Learn more about them:

Inveel GmbH
Inveel GmbH equips robots with advanced sensing capabilities through its revolutionary robotic sensory skin technology, providing robots with the feeling of touch, significantly enhancing their safety, efficiency, and adaptability in various domains.

Lightium AG
Lightium AG offers PIC foundry and design services based on its proprietary Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) platform, providing unmatched photonic performance with 2x bandwidth and 4x reduced power consumption, enabling manufacturers to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth in industries like Telecom and Datacom.

Manukai AG
Manukai AG’s CAM Copilot automates Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) programming, reducing production costs by up to 20% and saving mechanics’ time by 50%, optimizing production speed, part quality, and tool wear, paving the way for fully autonomous factories and delivering an average cost saving of 15%.
Pitching startups 2024

Alter Ego
Alter Ego offers a virtual fitting room tool for D2C brands, allowing users to create personal avatars and digitally try on clothes, reducing returns by 22% and increasing conversion rates by 16%.

Batterylog
Batterylog optimizes battery health, extends lifespan, and reduces costs through advanced algorithms and digital twin technology.

Beyond Scroll SA
Beyond Scroll SA develops oil-free scroll compressors for shallow geothermal drilling in urban areas, revolutionizing green hydrogen production and reducing carbon emissions.

Biosimo Chemicals
Biosimo Chemicals produces sustainable chemicals using innovative catalytic processes, significantly reducing carbon emissions and harmful chemical usage in traditional chemical production methods.
Borobotics
Borobotics develops a bore robot for shallow geothermal drilling in urban areas, integrating the drill within the bore hole and operating autonomously, reducing space requirements by 84% and making geothermal heating and cooling more accessible and environmentally friendly.

Citus
Citus provides an evidence-based, objective approach to measure skin characteristics with NIMBLE, offering a fully quantitative skin score up to 10 times more sensitive than traditional methods.

CompagOs
CompagOs develops diagnostic solutions to predict fractures in bone disease patients from a single blood sample, aiding early treatment and aiming to become a standard diagnostic tool in bonehealth.

DigeHealth
DigeHealth introduces a 24/7 monitoring system with AI predictive alerts to facilitate early detection and intervention for bowel obstructions, potentially avoiding the need for surgical procedures, and enhancing patient care through continuous, real-time data analysis.

IMAI MedTech
IMAI MedTech revolutionizes tissue analysis with an innovative platform that enables automated preparation of 3D tissue samples and accurate spatial imaging within two days, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy and supporting early and accurate cancer diagnosis.

Inveel GmbH
Inveel GmbH equips robots with advanced sensing capabilities through its revolutionary robotic sensory skin technology, providing robots with the feeling of touch, significantly enhancing their safety, efficiency, and adaptability in various domains.

Lightium AG
Lightium AG offers PIC foundry and design services based on its proprietary Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) platform, providing unmatched photonic performance with 2x bandwidth and 4x reduced power consumption, enabling manufacturers to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth in industries like Telecom and Datacom.

Manukai AG
Manukai AG’s CAM Copilot automates Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) programming, reducing production costs by up to 20% and saving mechanics’ time by 50%, optimizing production speed, part quality, and tool wear, paving the way for fully autonomous factories and delivering an average cost saving of 15%.

MindMetrix AG
MindMetrix AG develops eye-tracking technology that allows users to control their brain’s arousal level through a patented pupil-based neurofeedback method, with their first product, myFlow, designed to help athletes improve mental strength and regeneration.

Rheo AG
Rheo AG creates vital+, an all-in-one wearable that continuously streams patients’ vital signs directly into hospital electronic health records, allowing nurses to focus on patient care while enhancing data accuracy and efficiency.

Riverkin GmbH
Riverkin GmbH addresses water management challenges with their Smart Freshwater Ecosystem, which includes advanced sensors and a data platform to measure water quality, predict disasters, and implement effective mitigation strategies.

Sallea AG
Sallea AG develops a proprietary platform that supports the growth of cells into textured, whole-cut meat and fish fillets using 3D, edible, high-precision scaffolds, enabling the production of thicker meat cuts compared to competitors.

SolidWatts SA
SolidWatts SA develops high-performance Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) for efficient radio frequency dielectric heating, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based heating with precise control and enhanced safety.

Tethys Robotics
Tethys Robotics develops compact underwater drones for autonomous inspections in challenging aquatic environments, reducing the need for divers and enhancing inspection quality by navigating fast-flowing waters and maintaining autonomy in poor visibility.
The jury 2024
Newcomers FAQs
When does the next application window open for startup days 2025?
We’ll open the application window for the next pitching opportunity on 2 December 2024. Stay tuned – we’ll announce it in our newsletter and social media.
Who is eligible to apply for Newcomers?
- Promising tech startup: Your startup has an evident scaling potential in the tech sector.
- Tech sector refers to startups based on scientific and technological innovations that aim to solve fundamental challenges through breakthrough discoveries (Deep-Tech) or create practical applications for everyday use (Applied Tech).
- Seed stage: Your startup is in the seed phase and has been recently or is about to be founded. The founding date will be requested and used as a reference.
- Track record: Your startup must have either a pre-MVP or an MVP that demonstrates a clear problem-solution fit.
- Swiss location: Your startup must be based in Switzerland or intend to establish a base in Switzerland.
- Full commitment: Your founders must be fully dedicated and passionate about their startup.
What does tech startup mean?
A promising tech startup refers to startups based on scientific and technological innovations that aim to solve fundamental challenges through breakthrough discoveries (DeepTech) or create practical applications for everyday use (AppliedTech):
- DeepTech: solutions and products based on very expensive basic or applied research
- AppliedTech: general software or technology-based solutions
Can startups outside of Switzerland apply?
Currently, Newcomers is dedicated to startups within Switzerland. That means your startup is founded in Switzerland, your headquarter is in Switzerland or your intent to establish a base in Switzerland.
What’s the benefit for investors?
For investors, the “Newcomers” format offers a unique opportunity to discover and engage with early-stage, high-potential tech startups before they scale. Investors gain direct access to innovative founders, exclusive networking sessions, and a curated group of startups with breakthrough solutions. It’s a chance to connect with emerging talent and be part of the next big success in the Swiss startup ecosystem.
What makes Newcomers different from other pitching events?
What makes “Newcomers” stand out from other pitching events is its exclusive focus on early-stage startups in the pre-seed to seed phase, particularly those from the DeepTech / AppliedTech sector with proven, innovative concepts. Unlike traditional pitching events, Newcomers targets startups that have already demonstrated early traction with a prototype or MVP, offering them their first national stage to showcase their ideas. The platform is designed for newly founded or soon-to-be-founded startups in Switzerland, with a clear emphasis on market-ready potential, excluding more established scale-ups.
What criteria will the jury use to select the startups?
The jury will use the following criteria to select the startups for the “Newcomers” pitching format:
- Eligibility: Startups must strictly meet the defined participation criteria.
- Document review: Submitted documents will be checked for completeness.
- Exclusion of last year’s startups: Pitching startups from the previous year are not eligible.
- Comparative status: The startup’s progress and potential will be assessed relative to other applicants.
What’s the “Catch of the Jury”?
Among the few startups selected to present their innovation on stage at the startup days, there are a handful of “catches” that particularly impressed the main jury during the pitches. We call this group “Catch of the Jury” and they are chosen after the live pitches and receive an extra portion of support, e.g. mentoring, coaching, alumni group, featuring in podcast, guest at the Secret Launch 2026.
Is there a fee to apply or participate?
No, there is no application or participation fee. We believe in providing equal opportunities for all qualifying startups.