The Results Are In: Startups Selected for Our Program! View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/kickstart-innovation/keeping-up-with-kickstart-2023-digest1-12695407?e=a37f17cdef) Dear Kickstart Family! As we cheer on our athletes at the Olympics, we are thrilled to announce that the Kicstart selection process is complete! After a rigorous review of numerous innovative and promising applications from 48 countries across all of our verticals, our vertical teams, partners and experts collectively shortlisted & evaluated 500+ later-stage startups based on collaboration potential, traction and team, innovation and market and sustainability. Over 46% of applications were involved in the circular economy (compared to 41% last year), and covered the majority of SDGs - one of the highest increased representation of the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 🏗️ (SDG 9), Good Health and Wellbeing 🧬(SDG 3), Decent Work and Economic Growth 🤝(SDG 8), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Climate Action 🌿(SDG 13). Following this, we invited 98 companies from 20 countries to join our Partner Safari networking event before their pitches at the final Selection Days. ⚾💥 We could not have done this without the support and efforts of our international partners and networks. A huge thank you to AXA Switzerland, CSEM, Coop, die Mobiliar, Empa, Etat de Vaud, ETH Zürich, Founder Institute, IMD, IKEA, MLL Legal, MSD Switzerland, PostFinance, Sanitas, SICTIC, Stadt Zürich, Switzerland Global Enterprise, Swisscom, USZ Health Innovation Hub, VNTR, and over 200 additional partners globally. 👏🏼👏🏼 Stay tuned for the official #Kickstarters24 announcement on September 3 as we support these exceptional startups on their journey to success. #makeithappen In the meantime, as we all take a bit of a breather over the summer, we'd like to share a few highlights with you. * Kickstart updates and experts highlights * Latest news from our alumni * Ecosystem opportunities and events ** What’s new at Kickstart ------------------------------------------------------------ ** A Pathway to Wood Waste Solutions with IKEA Switzerland ------------------------------------------------------------ We recently launched a new partnership with IKEA Switzerland to develop sustainable solutions for repurposing and recycling treated wood waste, promoting a circular economy. We’ve received numerous applications from startups and established companies dedicated to sustainability. 20 selected startups, from 12 countries, pitched in front of the jury composed by IKEA’s team, including a Global Circularity Specialist, and a panel of experts with different backgrounds. Selecting the candidates was tough, considering the quality of the companies. After the first round, 8 startups have been included in the live pitching session. After the session, the selected companies are now having deep dive meetings to define the pilot projects. News coming soon! More information (https://www.kickstart-innovation.com/ikea-waste-to-resource) ** From our Experts: How Food Trends Are Contributing to a More Sustainable Future ------------------------------------------------------------ Our current food system faces significant sustainability challenges. There is an urgent need to adapt our nutrition and consumption habits to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Emerging food trends, such as plant-based proteins and alternative sources like algae, fungi, and insects, offer promising solutions with a smaller environmental footprint. Explore how these innovative trends are contributing to a more sustainable future on our blog. Read more on our blog (https://www.kickstart-innovation.com/post/how-food-trends-are-contributing-to-a-more-sustainable-future) ** From our Experts: New EU Regulation: Paving the Way for Sustainable Products ------------------------------------------------------------ In a groundbreaking move, the European Union has introduced a new regulation aimed at making products more sustainable. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force on July 18, 2024, is set to revolutionize how products are designed, manufactured, and disposed of in the EU. This regulation supports ambitious climate goals and aims to foster a more circular economy, reduce waste, and provide consumers with high-quality, durable products. Read more on our blog (https://www.kickstart-innovation.com/post/new-eu-regulation-paving-the-way-for-sustainable-products) ** Final call for Intrapreneurship Batch 2024: Last Chance to Apply by August 30th ------------------------------------------------------------ ** We are in the final stage of evaluation phase of the final selection for Intrapreneurship batch this year engaging partners including CSEM, Swisscom, City of Zurich, PostFinance, iwb and others. Last chance to apply by August 30th to get an opportunity as a team at the organization to ideate, validate, test and scale products or services. More details - here (https://www.kickstart-innovation.com/academy-intrapreneurship) . ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Kickstart Main Dates ------------------------------------------------------------ Opening Ceremony, September 10, Kraftwerk Zurich Executive Dinner Zurich, September 12, Kraftwerk Zurich Executive Event Lausanne, November 26, Lausanne Investor Summit, November 28, Kraftwerk Zurich Closing Ceremony, November 28, Kraftwerk Zurich ** Great News from our Alumni Community ------------------------------------------------------------ ** FINANCE AND INSURANCE ------------------------------------------------------------ * Unique (https://www.unique.ch/homepage) has been featured in a recent article by Pascal Schmuck (AGEFI), highlighting our pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI) within the finance sector. This recognition underscores our commitment to revolutionizing finance through innovative AI solutions. Established in 2021, the company specializes in cutting-edge AI solutions tailored to the needs of the financial sector, serving prominent Swiss banks, including PostFinance and Pictet. Read more (https://www.unique.ch/en/blog/unique-featured-in-lagefi) * CyLock (https://www.cylock.tech/en/home-en/) recently secured €500,000 in funding, led by Scientifica, with participation from CDP Venture Capital SGR, Startup Wise Guys, and Exor Ventures. This follows a previous €320,000 raised via the Cyber Xcelerator and other investors. The funds will support further development of their EVA (Extended Vulnerability Assessment) product, designed to prevent cyberattacks, and enable international expansion. ** FOOD AND RETAIL ------------------------------------------------------------ * Planted (https://ch.eatplanted.com/) has been named second most dynamic brand of 2024 in this year's Havas Brand Predictor, Switzerland's largest brand perception study. In this extensive study, over 4’500 participants aged 15 to 74, rated more than 350 brands across 20 categories. Read more (https://www.brandpredictor.ch/) about the study. * Cognitiwe (https://cognitiwe.ai/) raised €1M to drive forward its AI-powered retail solutions. This round, backed by prominent investors including TechOne VC, Eleven Ventures, Flat6Labs, Domino VC, and Caucasus VC, highlights the growing confidence in Cognitiwe’s innovative vision. Their flagship product, Wefresh, uses cutting-edge AI and image processing to optimize retail operations, from quality control to smart stock tracking and product freshness. Founded in 2021 by Attila Algan and Mete Bayrak, the company continues to expand its global reach, now further supported by this significant investment. Read more (https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/02/tallinn-based-cognitiwe-captures-e1-million-to-spearhead-ai-driven-retail-solutions/) * Kern Tec (https://www.kern-tec.com/en/) : top 10 start-ups disrupting the market and transforming the food system. The Austrian processor of fruit pits was mentioned as one of the top ten startups disrupting the market and transforming the food system by Foodnavigator. Read more (https://www.foodnavigator.com/News/Promotional-features/Start-ups-with-sustainable-solutions-for-innovating-food-systems?bid=398211903&cid=DM1134266&source=3&utm_campaign=06-May-2024&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily) * NuKoKo (https://www.nukoko.co.uk/) closed a $1.5 million seed round earlier this year. The round was led by Oyster Bay Venture Capital with participation from existing investor SOSV and The Mills Fabrica. Read more (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nukokoltd_we-are-delighted-to-announce-the-closing-activity-7176535176234053632-X7ru?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop) * New Roots AG (https://newroots.ch/) and Planted have teamed up Vege'tables Sàrl to drive healthier and more sustainable diets. In 2022, Planted and New Roots AG collaborated with Vege’tables Sàrl to promote healthier, sustainable diets. Workshops at La Ville de Neuchâtel and Les Roches hospitality school featured plant-based products, while a two-day training in Jura inspired chefs with new culinary possibilities. This autumn, they will work with GastroFribourg and GastroVaud to provide more training on “The New Smart Food Trend,” offering partners a chance to present their products directly to catering professionals. Read more (https://lnkd.in/eCBjfTU7) ** HEALTH AND WELLBEING ------------------------------------------------------------ * Huma (https://www.huma.com/) Raises $80 Million Reaching Near-$1 Billion Valuation. HUMA announces a Series D funding and the launch of the Huma Cloud Platform securing $88m. With this round, Huma has now raised over $300m. The Series D saw the participation of new and existing strategic and financial investors, including AstraZeneca, Hat Technology Fund 4 by HAT SGR, HV Fund by Hitachi Ventures and Leaps by Bayer and others. HSBC Bank plc acted as advisor to Huma during the fundraise. Read more (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-16/health-ai-startup-huma-gets-80-million-at-near-1-billion-value) ** NEW WORK AND LEARNING ------------------------------------------------------------ * BrainE4 (https://braine4.com/) partners with Swisscom BrainE4 has recently announced a new partnership with Swisscom, aimed at revolutionizing decision-making in Swiss businesses. This collaboration combines Swisscom’s advanced ICT infrastructure with BrainE4’s innovative platform, setting a new standard for collaborative decision-making. Congratulations to both teams on this notable achievement. ** SMART CITIES ------------------------------------------------------------ * Neustark (https://www.neustark.com/en) secures $69M to expand its carbon removal technology globally. Their method captures CO₂ from biogas plants and mineralizes it in concrete waste, transforming construction debris into durable carbon sinks. This funding round led by Decarbonization Partners, a partnership between BlackRock Switzerland and Temasek, with participation from Blume Equity, supports their goal of removing 1 million tons of CO₂ by 2030. Congratulations to the team on this milestone beyond the activities we worked on, including PoC with Holcim Schweiz. Read more (https://lnkd.in/g6pZhDVC) ** Ecosystem Opportunities and Events ------------------------------------------------------------ Kraftwerk Zürich wins the Swiss Location Award Kraftwerk Zürich (https://impacthub.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6f1cd4ae651543c81d6d10d74&id=f26987af57&e=210ba9e896) along with Impact Hub Basel, Impact Hub Geneva and Impact Hub Ticino have once again been awarded the Swiss Location Award (https://impacthub.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6f1cd4ae651543c81d6d10d74&id=93abf9d7cd&e=210ba9e896) . This year, Kraftwerk surpassed last year's results and achieved an even higher ranking. In addition, Viadukt location (https://impacthub.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6f1cd4ae651543c81d6d10d74&id=7cebbe67a1&e=210ba9e896) has also been recognized. Congratulations to the team! Summer Day Pass 50% off at Colab Impact Hub Zurich Colab is offering a special Summer Day Pass for CHF 25 (regularly CHF 45) until August 23, 2024. Enjoy comfortable workspaces, networking opportunities, unlimited coffee, and access to the river for a refreshing dip. No need to sign up beforehand; just check in at Colab (Sihlquai 131) during opening hours. Shine Switzerland – Application deadline July 31 Are you an early stage social entrepreneur offering innovative solutions to problems related to climate change or access to health and looking for support to scale your initiative for impact? Shine Switzerland offered by the Swiss Re Foundation provides a five-month immersive learning program in which the social entrepreneur will be partnered with business/leadership coaches and Swiss Re experts to co-create a viable business model and the opportunity to win a grant of up to CHF 35'000. Learn more and apply here (https://impacthub.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6f1cd4ae651543c81d6d10d74&id=4cf3283898&e=210ba9e896) . Google Summer Academy >From July 29 to August 28, 2024, the Google Summer Academy will once again open its virtual doors. Together with our renowned partners, it offers over 35 live webinars on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Skills. All webinars are free, take place live, and are led by long-standing top experts and Google Certified Trainers. More information here (https://impacthub.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6f1cd4ae651543c81d6d10d74&id=2e0a99ba6e&e=210ba9e896) . Bluelion Tech for Impact Awards Bluelion just opened the call to the 14th edition of the Tech for Impact Awards. The competition targets impact-driven entrepreneurs applying innovative tech solutions to global social & environmental challenges. Find more information about the Awards and how to apply here (https://d14kyj04.na1.hubspotlinks.com/Ctc/V+113/d14KYj04/VWY-bD6GMW6pW3vv00B7DpHjrW8yJSQm5gsplHN3Gk38b3m2ndW7lCdLW6lZ3pVVvQtth1vVt-DW4X6btN8jVMT7W686wLs18_MzdW6hWBqs2srXS0W1XVsSK5ZL_w1W3-_PTL36Zw9GW3NGC9N2y9f5dW52yCHV6NX-X8W6ck2DC1bk9GTN2_WR30PSK2dW39-K5v32FdbYN4R3m-Cs0Kg6N2xYMpMzmV4zN6n7kmpjN29RW27vSZh3rg24MVCNTGG6f8zhgW7DL1VR8QRCjXVQ3dvz6mL3fZW6RsF7j8fhJqqW16ZLHK3kzPY3W4644GP3wwWS1MPNNKFTxP1sVxNMGq5MKwlsW8tVswp6m-bK7f5twQn404) Impact Hub Zurich Music Week (https://impacthub.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6f1cd4ae651543c81d6d10d74&id=2db41e3c63&e=210ba9e896) : August 5 to August 11, Kraftwerk Zurich 130th SICTIC Investor Day (https://www.sictic.ch/events/sid130/) : September 5, Microsoft, Circle Zurich Climate Tech Investor Day (https://streaklinks.com/CBuTM88Y2HPl-eFTfQ5YKpJ9/https%3A%2F%2Fsictic.us10.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D8c3af5039cc86971186ce4bb9%26id%3D369376ae24%26e%3D63070a1b24?email=sara%40kickstart-innovation.com) : September 17, BlueLion Hub, Zurich 131st SICTIC Investor Day (https://www.sictic.ch/events/sid133/) : September 19, Fongit Geneva Global Leaders Summit (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-global-leaders-summit-hosted-by-the-city-of-vienna-tickets-933285129947) : September 19, Vienna Gartner Reimagine HR (https://secondnatureuk.co.uk/event/gartner-reimaginehr-conference-2024/) : September 20, Zurich Swiss Fintech & AI Investor Day (https://www.sictic.ch/events/sid133/) : October 3, TX Ventures, Zurich DCB Start-Up Night (https://www.bco-registration.com/en/dcb-congress-2024) : October 3at Kursaal Bern AG RiseUp Summit (https://riseupsummit.ch/) : October 20, Kraftwerk, Zurich Valencia Digital Summit (https://startupblink.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8ea35dfd8a2f6ea0e2f245838&id=e02654008d&e=c86a6d2c35) : 23 & 24 October 2024 in Valencia ** What Media Say ------------------------------------------------------------ Handleszeitung: Wie Food-Techs zu einer nachhaltigeren Zukunft beitragen (https://www.handelszeitung.ch/specials/sustainable-food-2024/wie-food-techs-zu-einer-nachhaltigeren-zukunft-beitragen-724851) Msn: Wie Food-Techs zu einer nachhaltigeren Zukunft beitragen (https://www.msn.com/de-ch/nachrichten/other/wie-food-techs-zu-einer-nachhaltigeren-zukunft-beitragen/ar-BB1oZYQk) Punkt4: Kickstart sucht Recycling-Partner für IKEA Schweiz (https://punkt4.info/nachrichten/detail/news/kickstart-sucht-recycling-partner-fuer-ikea-schweiz/) Talk about us: ** Looking Forward! ------------------------------------------------------------ Looking ahead, we are excited about the possibilities that 2024 holds. Together, we will continue to ignite innovation, build meaningful partnerships, and make a positive impact on the world. https://www.linkedin.com/company/kickstart-innovation/ https://www.instagram.com/kickstart_inno/ https://twitter.com/kickstart_inno Copyright (C) 2024 Kickstart Innovation AG. All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences (https://kickstart-innovation.us21.list-manage.com/profile?u=68a6889ce5255470717e36846&id=9e49eaeb1e&e=a37f17cdef&c=dd871014c5) or unsubscribe (https://kickstart-innovation.us21.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=68a6889ce5255470717e36846&id=9e49eaeb1e&t=b&e=a37f17cdef&c=dd871014c5) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <https://lists.fiware.org/private/fiware-general-help/attachments/20240731/82c47b2e/attachment-0001.html>
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