• ExerGo Sàrl

  Participated · Equity · Mar 2023

  ExerGo builds compact thermal networks that transfer heat and cold using CO₂ in a closed system, targeting high-density urban areas. Its CO₂-based approach makes systems up to nine times denser than water-based networks and can cut network installation costs by up to 60%. By harnessing renewable resources and waste heat, ExerGo says customers can save up to 80% in primary energy versus fossil-fuel systems. The startup operates an all-year pilot plant in Sion (Valais, Switzerland) and has multiple commercialization projects in the pipeline. It is expanding services into the real estate market and will present its compact thermal network at RENT to reach industry professionals. Financially, ExerGo completed a €3.2M seed round last year and has secured an additional €1M to accelerate commercialization and market expansion.

• Voltiris

  Participated · Seed · Dec 2022

  Voltiris develops colour-optimized photovoltaic modules that convert greenhouses into renewable powerplants by filtering light so plants receive needed wavelengths while other components are reflected onto photovoltaics. Its spectral filtering technology reduces greenhouses' dependence on gas and the electricity grid and cuts CO2 emissions without reducing crop yields. The company has already installed roughly 400 modules across 12 projects in five countries. Voltiris plans to use a CHF 500,000 Tech Growth loan from the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) to further industrialize its solution and execute a commercialisation plan with flagship projects in Switzerland and the Netherlands. If installed across all Swiss greenhouses the technology could save CO2 emissions equivalent to 18,000 households. The FIT loan is intended to accelerate industrialization and the rollout of commercial installations. Voltiris develops the first solar modules designed to be installed inside existing greenhouses; their spectral-filtering panels direct essential light to crops while converting unused light into renewable energy. The modules maintain crop yields, support behind-the-meter consumption, integrate with existing greenhouse infrastructure, and require no special permits. The company received an initial 12 months of Biopôle Start-up funding, which provides visibility, recognition, financial backing, coaching, and supplementary services. Voltiris will allocate a significant portion of the funds to procure advanced tools to further its expertise in plant photobiology. The startup is scaling a pipeline of projects in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and France and is preparing a CHF 3 million seed round to power up commercial activities. Voltiris builds solar modules that allow a double use of greenhouse land by producing electricity while maintaining crop yields beneath the panels. Its modules do not require installation permits, which accelerates deployment and adoption. The start-up raised CHF 1.4M in a Pre-Seed round to accelerate development and commercialisation, expand commercial pilots, prepare for industrial production, and add key team competencies. In early 2023 Voltiris will commence multiple solar projects with tomato and flower growers in Switzerland and the Netherlands. It will also run a one-year agronomical tomato study with Wageningen University at its Bleiswijk testing facilities. These projects are intended to scale through 2023 and lead to full-scale commercialization in 2024. Voltiris has developed colour-optimized, greenhouse-compatible photovoltaic modules and a self-developed sun-tracking system that let through the red and blue light plants need while reflecting green and near-infrared to photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. The company says this approach produces renewable energy without impacting agricultural yield and delivers a competitive cost of energy and strong ROI for growers. A three-person team supported by a broad advisory network is conducting live pilots in collaboration with HES‑SO and Agroscope. Voltiris has submitted two patents covering high photovoltaic yield and solar tracking. The company received CHF180,000 of support from Innosuisse, HES‑SO and Agroscope for an agronomical study and a CHF100,000 Tech Seed loan from the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) to fund ongoing pilots. Using the FIT loan, Voltiris plans to prepare industrialization, execute larger-scale pilot projects and complete technical development to unlock customer access, then begin commercialization with selected partners in Switzerland and the Netherlands before expanding globally.

• FenX

  Participated · Seed · May 2021

  FenX AG is a cleantech company spun out of ETH that focuses on producing environmentally friendly building insulation. Its technology enables the creation of high-performance, low-carbon materials intended to replace conventional insulation products. The firm positions its solutions as both sustainable and cost-competitive, aiming to reduce the construction sector’s carbon footprint. Proceeds from its recent financing will be used to expand production capacity and accelerate market entry for its insulation portfolio. While detailed operating metrics were not disclosed, the successful raise underscores investor interest in low-carbon building technologies. The company is concentrating on scaling its manufacturing processes and broadening commercial partnerships to support its growth trajectory.

• Green-Y Energy AG

  Participated · Seed · Sep 2020

  Green-Y Energy develops a patented compressed-air energy storage concept that combines electricity storage with integrated heat and cold generation in a single unit for buildings. The system uses air and water rather than rare raw materials, which the company says yields long lifetime and full recyclability. Founded in 2020, the six-person team validated the concept with a prototype funded by an earlier CHF 825,000 seed round and has already won customers for initial pilot projects. The new financing is intended to fund the transition from prototype to market readiness in 2023. Development is supported by the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz within an Innosuisse innovation project and praised for its combined-efficiency approach. CEO Rafik Barhoumi emphasizes sustainability and reduced CO2 emissions; investor Umut Ertan and his SCHWEIZER KAPITAL GLOBAL IMPACT FUND AG will support market entry through their logistics and real-estate networks. Green-Y Energy offers a two-in-one energy storage and thermal management system that combines heating and cooling with a pressure-air flow storage in a single device. The technology is patent-pending and the company says it achieves high combined efficiency, long lifetime, and roughly seven-year payback periods versus batteries and heat pumps. The system uses only air and water and is claimed to be 100% recyclable. The team plans a first on-site pilot installation in early 2021 and a commercial launch of the first-generation product by the end of 2021; two of four planned 2021 projects were already signed. The company was formed in March 2020 by four co‑founders with ETH, engineering and business backgrounds and has participated in programs such as Innosuisse Coaching, be-advanced Challenge and Highflyer, Swiss Innovation Challenge, SEIF Award, Swiss Cleantech, and Venturelab Workshops.

• FluidSolids

  Led · Equity · Nov 2015

  Fluid Solids, founded in 2011, develops a bioplastic named "FluidSolids" manufactured mainly from agricultural waste and natural binders. The finished material is odorless, stable and can be composted at end of life. To date the plastic has been used to make items such as chairs, shop mannequins and clothes hangers. The company is receiving financial support from Klimastiftung Schweiz to further develop the material so it can be used in common injection-moulding processes. That development aims to help Swiss bioplastic compete with conventional plastics in mainstream manufacturing. No revenue, user metrics or other financial details are disclosed in the article.

No current team members are available.