Venture Leaders Cleantech build global connections on Munich Roadshow

15.11.2024 10:00, Rita Longobardi

From November 4 to 8, Munich welcomed ten innovative Cleantech startups as part of the Swiss National Startup Team. This international business development and investor roadshow allowed the ten entrepreneurs to interact with industry experts, connect with potential investors, and expand their businesses internationally. Venture Leaders Cleantech is organized by Venturelab and supported by DPD, EPFL, ETH Zurich, Helbling Technik, Rentsch Partner, Romande Energie, St.Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke, Vaud, and Vischer.

The Venture Leaders—the Swiss National Startup Team members—have a clear goal: They envision themselves as global players and want to take the first step toward their international expansion. Venturelab has 19 years of experience bringing Switzerland’s best entrepreneurs to the heart of the worldwide technology hubs: Silicon Valley, Boston, China, London, Barcelona, and Munich. 

This year's Venture Leaders Cleantech team was selected from over 80 applicants by a panel of investors and experts. As members of the Swiss National Startup Team, they took part in a business development and investor roadshow that provided an intensive, week-long immersion into Munich's startup ecosystem. Beyond networking within the Bavarian region, the participants connected with fellow entrepreneurs facing similar goals and challenges.

"Venture Leaders was an incredible experience, providing the opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and leading investors while receiving essential feedback to drive global growth," highlighted Moritz Futscher, co-founder and CEO of BTRY. 



Kicking off at the Swiss Consulate
The program kicked-off with a warm reception at the Swiss Consulate in Munich, hosted by Consul General Eros Robbiani. The welcoming event, designed to set the stage for the days ahead, offered the Venture Leaders a prime opportunity to introduce their startup visions, opening doors to future connections.


Jessica Droujko, co-founder of Riverkin and Christoph Schneeberger, co-founder of Antefil, presenting their innovations

Swiss cleantech startups impress Munich investors
Throughout the program, startups engaged with leading European investors, such as leading European B2B venture capital fund UVC Partners and BMW i Ventures, gaining visibility and feedback on their innovations. Highlights included a visit to Munich Urban Colab, a hub for urban technology, and a workshop on scaling operations with Helbling Technik, focusing on scaling operations. Evening networking events with investors such as VC Occident Group provided further opportunities to connect in an informal setting.




In the following sessions, the startups presented to BayWa r.e. Energy Ventures, which supports advances in energy technology, and later joined a walking pitch format with Earlybird, blending pitch refinement with a unique networking experience.

With a focus on climate and industrial innovation, a pitch session with Matterwave Ventures offered opportunities to present eco-industrial technologies, followed by a session with World Fund, a venture capital firm dedicated to climate tech. The evening wrapped up with a social dinner at the Paulaner Brewery, offering participants a glimpse into Munich’s cultural heritage and a chance to connect with program partners informally.

"Venture Leaders Cleantech has greatly expanded my network and, through investor questions and interactions with peers, offered essential guidance: helping me define clear goals and recognize pitfalls to avoid," stated Jessica Droujko, co-founder and CEO of Riverkin.




To close out the program, the startups engaged in one-on-one meetings to strengthen vital connections that could support their growth.

In 2024, Swiss cleantech startups have shown impressive resilience, securing nearly CHF 160 million across 27 funding rounds in the first half of the year. This investment positions them as leaders in sustainable technology.

As the entrepreneurs headed home, there’s a shared hope that 2025 will bring even greater opportunities for growth and innovation. The global community awaits the positive changes they will create in the months ahead.

Venture Leaders Cleantech is organized by Venturelab and supported by DPD, EPFL, ETH Zurich, Helbling Technik, Rentsch Partner, Romande Energie, St.Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke (SAK), Vaud, and Vischer.

Learn more about the Venture Leaders Cleantech 2024: