Swiss Prime Site Start-up Accelerator Programme: 4 companies transform utilization concepts and real estate servitization

21.09.2021 14:15, Isabelle Mitchell

Using both work and living spaces efficiently and effectively has become a critical concept in 2021: The lines between our personal and professional lives become blurrier and more connected, and they affect our performance and well-being. Venturelab’s industry partner Swiss Prime Site wants to optimize these new structures and improve how we use spaces and improve experiences—with the help of innovative startups. For their 14th Swiss Prime Site Start-up Accelerator Programme, Swiss Prime Site’s management and industry experts developed proofs of concept with startups focusing on new utilization concepts and real estate servitization.

For their latest Start-up Accelerator Programme, the Swiss Prime Site experts were looking for startups that optimize co-living and co-working spaces, hybrid utilization, and concepts and technologies to make the real estate experience and use more welcoming, effective, and sustainable. 

The jury went through 75 applications to select eight startups. On the first day of the two-day workshop, the eight startups pitched their solutions to the business experts from Swiss Prime Site and its group companies Swiss Prime Site Immobilien, Wincasa, Jelmoli, and Swiss Prime Site Solutions. 

The jury chose four finalists who could pitch a joint business case to the Swiss Prime Site group’s management on the program’s second day. Each of the four startups presented their innovative solutions that transform co-living experiences, sustainable commuting, culinary experiences, and physical activities. “The attractiveness of our sites and their fair value are mainly determined by the optimal utilization and, in the future, also their level of servitization. The explorative approach of the Swiss Prime Site Startup Accelerator Programme allowed us to detect new utilization and servitization concepts that require attractive real estate spaces, have sustainable business cases, and are growing across Switzerland. We’re confident that you’ll find many of the assessed startup solutions in our portfolio soon,” said Bastian Zarske Bueno, Head Group Corporate Ventures & Innovation and Member of the Management Team of Swiss Prime Site.



Embassies of Good Living: The Embassies offer a curated, premium co-living experience. The company’s international network of residences brings together tenants, members, and visitors to create a global community of people with the good life in mind.

Madame Sum: Madame Sum creates ready-to-steam dim sums that can be picked up or are delivered with its own fleet of electric vehicles. The startup also develops pop-ups and works with hotels and restaurants. 

Urban Connect: Urban Connect accelerates the shift to a low-carbon economy and changes the way people commute to work. The startup provides companies with holistic mobility solutions that create more sustainable and efficient work environments. 

ASCARO: ASCARO transforms padel, a racquet sport usually played in doubles on a small, closed court. The company creates an elevated padel experience that combines high-end downtown courts with its own clothing brand. 


The workshop and exchange with experts and peers provided the startups with valuable experience and critical feedback to advance their solutions:

 “As a young and dynamic startup, it’s always exciting to have the opportunity to create and get involved in new projects. This workshop allowed us to bootstrap ideas, get closer to our industry, and find better ways to create change,” summarized Yves Jäger and Arnaud Verschueren, the co-founders of Madame Sum. 

Pascal Wanner, the business development manager of ASCARO, added: “It was a perfect opportunity for us to pitch and discuss our concept with SPS and, based on the exchange, develop it further to match the Swiss market.”

“The collaboration with the SPS Accelerator was extraordinarily positive. The inputs from their experts and decision-makers were supportive, intelligent, and valuable. We are grateful for the wonderful collaboration,” concluded Robert Ruttmann, the co-founder of Urban Connect.

Check out the video from the workshop and keep an eye out for the upcoming Swiss Prime Site Start-up Accelerator Programmes: