The Venture Leaders Mobile 2024 kick-off their roadshow to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

22.01.2024 14:00, Rita Longobardi

Last December, ten startups were chosen to join the Swiss National Startup Team as Venture Leaders Mobile 2024. Last week, the entrepreneurs behind the connectivity startups got to know each other in Schlieren and introduced themselves to the public in a virtual pitch session. The event also kicked off the roadshow, which will take them to the 4YFN — the startup event of the world's largest and most influential exhibition for the mobile industry: The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

From left to right: Danielle Ralic (Ancora.ai), Adam Klaptocz (RigiTech), Thomas Baumeler (GraphEnergyTech), Jason Corkill (Rapidata), Imad Abdallah (RTDT), Victoria Manzi (Swistor), Daniel Ammann (onocoy), Panagiotis Martakis (Irmos Technologies), Simon Hecker (4screen), and Lukas Schönbächler (Hypergate)

The ten Venture Leaders Mobile 2024 are getting ready to take their startups to the global stage: The newest members of the Swiss National Startup Team will travel to Barcelona to attend the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world's largest and most important event for the mobile industry, hence an ideal platform to accelerate the Venture Leaders' global growth and connect founders with industry leaders. The ten entrepreneurs will set up their booths at the 4YFN startup conference from February 26 to February 29, 2024.

An expert jury that includes professional investors and mobile technology experts reviewed over 100 applications to choose the 10 Venture Leaders Mobile 2024. The chosen startups provide innovative solutions ranging from drone delivery to cybersecurity and blockchains, artificial intelligence, or connected platforms to engage with drivers. Organized by Venturelab, this year’s Venture Leaders Mobile program is supported by Huawei, Swisscom, and VISCHER.

At the kick-off event at the startup space in Schlieren, the entrepreneurs behind the top Swiss-based connectivity startups met their teammates and pitched their innovations to a virtual audience. Clara Moldovan, CEO of Swistor, and Jason Corkill, CEO of Rapidata, were voted team captains by the audience and out of the 93 applications received for the online pitching event, one attendant was awarded a prize—a coveted MWC Ticket, granting access to the entire week of the congress.


The Venture Leaders Mobile presenting their innovations during the online pitching session

Their presence at the 4YFN startup event will help the Swiss startups facilitate meetings with potential customers, investors, and experts.

“The innovative scope of the ten Venture Leaders Mobile 2024 is impressive and demonstrates the quality of Swiss deeptech innovation” commented Jordi Montserrat, managing partner at Venturelab. “We very much look forward to being at the Mobile World Congress and 4YFN conference and helping them lay the foundation for global success.”

Three experts from VISCHER — Rolf auf der Maur, Gian-Andrea Caprez, and Pauline Pfirter — joined the Venture Leaders at the kick-off event to introduce the group to key aspects of term-sheet agreements with international investors as well as industry collaborations. VISCHER also powers the fourth Venturelab Trophy, a sailing match race connecting startups and investors in a unique setting at the Royal Nautico Club of Barcelona.

VISCHER's attorneys at law: Gian-Andrea Caprez, Pauline Pfirter, and Rolf Auf der Maur

"Thrilled and honoured to stand as Venture Leaders in Barcelona, proudly representing Switzerland's dynamic startup ecosystem. We have already heard tons of positive feedback from our fellow ’startupers,’ who have joined the program before," commented Jason Corkill, CEO of Rapidata and Venture Leaders Mobile's new Team Captain. We are looking forward to meeting the experts from the mobile industry, having access to an additional network and the support that the Venture Leaders program will provide. Here's to the journey ahead, where we look forward to the friendly company of like-minded entrepreneurs and the collective pursuit of innovation."

"I'm thrilled about building bridges in the ever-evolving landscape of technology at the MWC in Barcelona, where we will engage with diverse industry experts and establish connections that will bring Swistor to new heights," pointed out Clara Moldovan, CEO of Swistor and Team Captain.

"Embracing the diversity of innovation, we anticipated a dynamic cohort ranging from early-stage startups to unicorn masters, a diverse blend of teams ready to showcase Swiss innovation at MWC in Barcelona," added Panagiotis Martakis, CEO of Irmos.

Learn more about the Venture Leaders Mobile 2024: