Swiss Prime Site Start-up Cleantech Accelerator Programme: Startups driving towards net zero

20.11.2023 09:20, Rita Longobardi

Swiss Prime Site (SPS), Venturelab's industry partner and one of Europe's leading listed real estate companies, supports innovation in the proptech sector. The already 21st edition of the Start-up Accelerator Programme presented an exclusive opportunity for innovators. With a focus on the Cleantech industry, the program's experienced management and industry experts have drawn up proofs of concept tailored to boost startups dedicated to decarbonization, achieving net zero goals, and advancing CO2 offsetting initiatives.

Achieving net zero by 2050 is a significant undertaking and innovation is crucial to achieving carbon neutrality. It's no surprise that startups have a unique role to play. Last week, in the 21st edition of the Swiss Prime Site Start-up Accelerator startups were driving towards net zero. In their latest installment of the Start-up Accelerator Programme, Swiss Prime Site's experts actively sought partnerships with the most promising startups, aiming to shape the future landscape of real estate. The primary quest was for technologies capable of opening up new business avenues and enhancing sustainability with core processes, ultimately contributing to a significant reduction in overall CO2 emissions.

Spanning November 14 and 15, the two-day Accelerator Programme provided participants with the platform to refine pertinent use cases for Swiss Prime Site and its affiliated companies, namely Swiss Prime Site Immobilien and Swiss Prime Site Solutions. The goal was to conceptualize solutions leading to sustainable processes, heightened operational efficiencies, and the facilitation of sustainable growth. The range of proposed solutions addressed areas such as decarbonization, achieving net zero, CO2 offsetting and removal, and the innovative use of buildings as power generators.


Urs Baumann, Chief Investment Officer of Swiss Prime Site Immobilien and startups pitching

From a pool of 70 applications, 8 startups have been selected to pitch in front of an expert jury. The jury selected three finalists hailing from Switzerland and Luxembourg who pitched their innovative solutions and a joint business case to the Swiss Prime Site group’s management, intending to start a pilot project and prove the viability of their concepts.

"Through Venturelab's immersive workshops and insightful exchanges, AC Biode refined its pitch for the Swiss Prime Site. The collaborative sessions sparked a strategic shift, turning our initial product pitch into a mutually beneficial opportunity to integrate carbon capture filters into the Swiss Prime Site's ventilation systems. This significant change played a key role in securing their investment for a pilot project," shared Robert Kunzmann, COO of AC Biode.

"Collaborating with the Swisse Prime Site team to tailor our physical climate risk offering to their needs was an incredibly enriching and successful experience. Thanks to Swiss Prime Site and Venturelab, for this great opportunity," said Chiara Rinaldi, Co-Founder of Sustainaccount.


On the right: Chiara Rinaldi presenting Sustainaccount. On the left: João Guerra (Program Manager at Venturelab), Imad Abdallah (RTDT Laboratories), Chiara Rinaldi (Sustainaccount), Robert Kunzmann (AC Biode), and Victor Wolff Casado (Digital Project Manager at SPS)

Keep an eye out for the next Swiss Prime Site Start-up Accelerator Programmes and read more about the featured startups:

AC Biode: Deploying novel engineering solutions for ecological sustainability
AC Biode's patented technology is material agnostic and can use existing battery supply chains to upgrade any battery and lower cost ... Read more