CHF 2.6 billion for Swiss startups in the first half of 2022
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With CHF 2.6 billion in venture capital and 163 financing rounds completed in the first half of 2022, Swiss startups once again set a record. However, an end to records is on the horizon: 60% of Swiss investors expect investment in Swiss start-ups to fall by up to 25% over the next 12 months. This is indicated by the half-year update to Swiss Venture Capital Report, published by the online news portal startupticker.ch and the investor association SECA in cooperation with startup.ch
In the first six months of 2022, Swiss startups continued their record year in an impressive manner, generating CHF 2.585 billion in venture capital – an increase of almost 50% compared with the very good first half of 2021 – and a growth in the number of financing rounds of more than 30%.The particularly high number of large financing rounds was the reason for the increase: no fewer than 13 investments of CHF 50 million were completed between January and June 2022. Three new start-ups (SonarSource, Climeworks, and Scandit) achieved unicorn status with a valuation of more than USD 1 billion.
New record but investment on the edge of a trend reversal
Startup investment and acquisition reporting always lags a few months behind the actual signing of contracts. The good figures for the first half of the year are also due to the upturn in the post-pandemic period. However, the first signs of a weakening are discernible in the six-month analysis. Although the number of acquisitions reached a record level, they fell noticeably towards the middle of the year. The monthly analysis by startup.ch shows a sharp drop in the past 2 months.
In addition, it seems that investors currently have more leverage, in particular with early-stage financing, and are able to acquire larger shares in the startups at the same price.
A survey of 80 Swiss venture capital investors conducted by SECA brings more clarity about the near future. The majority of investors expect a decline in total invested capital of up to 25%. Investors believe that less money will go into later-stage startups in particular. They also expect a decrease in acquisitions and IPOs.
At the moment, Swiss investors still have the funds for further investment, and this explains why the slump is not bigger. Two-thirds of the investors surveyed intend to invest at least CHF 20 million in Swiss startups over the next three years, and a third intend to invest more than CHF 50 million.
Figures in detail
Financing rounds and invested capital in Swiss start-ups in the first half of each year
The half-year update for the first six months of 2022 is available as a PDF on the Startupticker website.
About Swiss Venture Capital Report
Swiss Venture Capital Report records and analyses all published venture capital investments in Swiss start-ups. The report is created by the editors of the national news portal startupticker.ch and SECA in cooperation with startup.ch. In addition to the magazine that appears in January, a half-yearly update has been published in July for the past three years.
About startupticker.ch
The national news portal startupticker.ch provides daily information about current events on the Swiss start-up scene and a weekly newsletter. The focus is on reports on young companies and their success, support services for founders and background reports. Startupticker.ch started more than 10 years ago and has established itself as the leading medium of the Swiss start-up scene. The client is Innosuisse, the federal innovation agency. In addition, the Startupticker Foundation is supported by more than 40 organisations and companies.
About SECA
The Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association (SECA) represents the Swiss private equity, venture capital and corporate finance areas. The aim of SECA is to represent private equity and corporate finance activities to the relevant target groups and the general public. In addition, the exchange of ideas and collaboration between members and their customers are encouraged. The promotion of professional training and the development of ethical rules of conduct and their implementation are further areas of responsibility.
About startup.ch
Startup.ch is the main directory for Swiss startups and offers a platform to get insights on the best of them and discover the top investors and experts of the Swiss startup ecosystem and beyond. Spot global rising stars and track all funding activities in Switzerland to identify your next investment opportunities. Together with the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award, it is one of the main tools to help Swiss startups be visible. Startup.ch is provided by Venturelab Ltd.
Source: startupticker.ch
