Switzerland is not only characterized by a multitude of highly interesting startups, but also by exciting investment companies. This not only applies to the private equity sector, but also to early-stage investments. In the exclusive overview of Switzerland’s largest venture capital firms, the team of Listenchampion.de has listed the country’s most important venture capitalists. One of them is Redalpine, headquartered in Zurich and with an office in Luxembourg. This article shall provide an overview of the VC and show interesting insights from our intensive research.
Wide investment focus: from Fintech to Healthtech to Online Shops
One look at the Redalpine investment team immediately reveals that it is not just about one VC like many others. Classical business school graduates are clearly in the minority of the team. Rather do the employees have a PhD in physics or life sciences, an MSc in Medicine or an academic background in the Biotech field. The training of the investment managers is also reflected in the portfolio companies of the Swiss Venture Capital Fund. Like most VCs, Redalpine is also active in the digital world. Alongside known digital B2C players like Jodel or Junique, there are some Fintechs among the investments. But the real ‘game changers’ in the portfolio come from the Biotech or life science sector. With investments in the segments of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Medicine, Redalpine stands out from the crowd, and is perfectly positioned for the Swiss market, which is characterized by research-driven high-tech spin-offs.
On the search for the next big thing: Seed and early-stage investments
Recently, Redalpine joined the Berlin startup Morressier, which is dedicated to digitizing scientific conferences. With this investment, the investment managers of the VCs prove, once again, that they are active across different sectors and do not shy away from exotic ideas. This investment is also a good example for the soft spot Swiss investors have for early-stage investments, as the investment in Morressier was completed during the seed-round. In German-speaking regions, more and more venture capital funds invest in rather later phases in order to reduce the default risk and to be able to build upon existing structures. Redalpine, on the other hand, consciously focuses on early financing rounds and supports startups in their work-up phase. Even though this strategy involves higher risks, it also ensures unusually high returns in the event of an exit.
An excerpt from the portfolio: big names and renowned co-investors
In 2017, Zenjob announced the youngest financing round. The Berlin-based company developed an application, which provides temporary work for students, and plans the expansion into other German cities. For this purpose, the startup received a growth capital of 8 million Euros. Next to Redalpine, other big names, such as Acton Capital, Atlantic Labs and the US Investor 500 Startups, were part of the deal. Here it becomes clear, that Redalpine had built a strong network, operating with successful investors on eye-level. Even more impressive is the investment in N26, which accompanied Redalpine since the seed-phase. The Swiss early-stage investor seems to have a knack for emerging start-ups. It will be exciting to watch and follow up with the upcoming activities.
Receiving a comprehensive overview of Swiss VCs through Research Germany
Redalpine is only one example of the highly interesting venture capital scene in Switzerland. After the ResearchGermany team has already created an overview of Germany’s 200 most important venture capitalists, the research experts have now taken up the Swiss market and compiled a list of the top 100 Venture Capital Investors in Switzerland. With pleasure we will send you a preview list of the excel sheet, through which you will get a first impression. Please contact us via chat-window or write an email to contact [at] researchgermany.com, to clarify open questions and receive more information.
Picture Source: Chris Holgersson, Creative Commons
