EP #455 - Joanne Sieber: Switzerland, The Leading Deep Tech Nation
Nov 20, 2024
auto_awesome
Joanne Sieber, CEO of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation, shares her vision to transform Switzerland into a leading deep tech nation. She discusses ambitious goals, including raising CHF 50B in venture capital and creating 100K jobs within ten years. Joanne highlights the need for improved collaboration and financial backing while addressing the cultural shifts necessary for startup growth. With insights from her diverse background, she emphasizes the importance of innovation in shaping a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation aims to raise CHF 50 billion to drive startup growth and create 100,000 jobs in Switzerland.
VentureHub Switzerland seeks to facilitate pension fund investments, enhancing access to crucial financing for innovative companies and startups.
Deep dives
Support for Swiss Innovation
Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation aims to establish Switzerland as a global leader in the deep tech sector by mobilizing significant venture capital and creating numerous jobs in the coming years. The foundation intends to raise 50 billion Swiss francs in venture capital and provide 100,000 jobs over the next decade. This initiative highlights the importance of not only fostering innovation but also translating these innovations into successful, scalable businesses. By focusing on both financial and operational support within the innovation ecosystem, the foundation seeks to strengthen Switzerland's competitive edge on a global scale.
Cultural and Financial Challenges
Switzerland faces challenges in effectively commercializing its innovative ideas, with financing being a primary issue. The cultural risk aversion among Swiss investors limits the amount of growth capital available for startups, hindering their global expansion ambitions. Additionally, regulatory and political conditions do not always favor the rapid scaling of businesses, creating a barrier for entrepreneurs. To tackle these gaps, the foundation emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset towards more risk-taking and investment in growth-stage companies.
VentureHub Integration
VentureHub Switzerland is designed to facilitate increased venture capital investment from pension funds, which can significantly contribute to the growth financing needed for startups. By allowing pension funds to promote investment in Swiss innovation, the foundation aims to create a robust financial vehicle tailored to meet the unique needs of these funds. Initial frames of reference have already been established to enhance transparency and encourage more investments across the venture capital spectrum. This initiative is projected to unlock billions in funding, which is critical for the scaling of local startups and ensuring their sustainability.
Creating an Information Hub
An information platform is being developed to serve as a comprehensive entry point into the Swiss innovation ecosystem, consolidating vital information that is currently fragmented. This platform will highlight startups, scale-ups, investor networks, and academic institutions, enabling easier access for potential investors and collaborators. By establishing this centralized resource, the foundation aims to increase visibility and facilitate interactions within the ecosystem. This initiative aims to promote Switzerland's strengths in deep tech and innovation by providing a clear, unified message about the opportunities available.
Joanne Sieber is the CEO of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation, which acts as a catalyst for the Swiss innovation ecosystem. She holds an MA in International Management from HSG. Prior to joining the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation in 2023, Joanne worked in a number of industries, from microcredit to consultancies, and even ran her own sandstone business.
The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation is financed in part by their founding partners, UBS and Swisscom, and in part by their corporate partners, like SwissRe, Rolex and SIX. Their mission is to help Switzerland successfully commercialize Swiss innovation, through growth financing (covered by their Venture Hub Switzerland, which collaborates with Swiss pension funds) and by working to change the regulatory framework surrounding these questions. They want to make Switzerland the number 1 deeptech nation worldwide, and have committed themselves to help raise CHF 50B in VC capital for Swiss startups and to help create 100K jobs in Switzerland within the next 10 years.