ConstructionTech and Smart Materials entrepreneurs build a solid business case at the Swiss Prime Site Startup Accelerator Workshop

17.07.2020 07:31, Isabelle Mitchell

Four startups were chosen out of almost 90 international applicants to work on use cases for Swiss Prime Site, Switzerland’s leading listed real estate group. Swiss Prime Site looked for startups to jointly discover operational efficiencies in construction and project management, reduce grey energy and CO2-emissions along the life-cycle of a property, and develop more sustainable and attractive buildings and environments.

Almost 90 pioneering startups from the ConstructionTech and Smart Materials sectors from 22 countries applied to the Swiss Prime Site Startup Accelerator Workshop. Eight entrepreneurs were chosen to pitch in front of Swiss Prime Site experts and external partners, including Schockguyan, Bouygues, Implenia, and Steiner. The jury then chose four finalists who were given 1.5 days to prepare a business case, which was presented to Swiss Prime Site’s management. Following the workshop, Swiss Prime Site and the finalists will seek to execute the elaborated proofs of concept together.  

Four startups, one business case 
Each of the four startups brought their unique expertise to the table, which contributed to well-rounded use cases:

• interpanel GmbH, based in Germany, manufactures and delivers multifunctional and prefabricated ceiling modules that integrate workspace lighting, acoustics, and heating and cooling technology to ensure a healthy room climate.
• MAGMENT GmbH, based in Germany, develops magnetizable concrete that allows the installation of widespread public charge points for e-mobility solutions.
• MeduSoil Sàrl, a Swiss-based EPFL spin-off, produces ground bio-mineral agents for soil stabilization, thereby trying to replace currently dominant cement- and petroleum-based solutions that are environmentally harmful. 
• Oxara AG, based in Switzerland, develops a technology that allows the processing of excavation material as fast and easily as it is usually done with concrete but without adding environmentally harmful cement and depleting natural resources.

 
For Swiss Prime Site, the program is an ideal way to innovate and collaborate with entrepreneurs to stay ahead of the curve: “Since 2018, we have received close to 1,000 applications and had 80 startups participating in our program. We are proud of the various impactful collaborations that have resulted so far. The range of outcomes includes prototyping and product testing, more extensive PoC studies, new products, ongoing client relationships and partnerships, and strategic investments. All of them with a clear impact on our product offering, customer and employee satisfaction, operational efficiency, and sustainability,” said Bastian J. Zarske Bueno, Head Group Corporate Ventures & Innovation at Swiss Prime Site.

For the startups, the workshop is a springboard to connect and collaborate with fellow experts and expand their skills and experience. “The Swiss Prime Site workshop is a high-quality and intense event with a deep focus on commercially viable and real-world application of the presented products and ideas. I highly recommend that early-stage startups and young innovative companies already on the market apply,“ explained Alexander Buff, founder and CEO of interpanel GmbH. Fellow entrepreneur Gnanli Landrou, co-founder of Oxara, agreed: “It is amazing when corporates walk the talk and ask the team to find creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions for their challenges. My recommendation to other startups: Take your chance and be prepared to deliver.”

The upcoming Swiss Prime Site Startup Accelerator Workshop will focus on RetailTech. Startups will be invited to work on use cases centered around retail and shopping center management for Swiss Prime Site’s group companies Swiss Prime Site Immobilien, Swiss Prime Site Solutions, Wincasa, and Jelmoli.  


Are you interested in startup scouting, acceleration or matchmaking for your company? Since 2004, Venturelab designs and operates flagship startup programs.