Dynamic growth in university spin-offs
Detlef Günther, Vice President Research and Corporate Relations, is delighted with the number of spin-off companies: “In recent years, many have told me that ETH Zurich is in a position to found even more companies. My answer has always been that provided the right ideas are there, our researchers will not shy away from the risk.” He asserts that for ETH Zurich it is crucial that promising technology and ideas arising from basic research are translated to companies with high growth potential, thus creating new jobs. Surviving long-term in the market is a challenge and poses a high risk to the company founders. However, as Günther concludes, “prospects for starting a company at ETH Zurich are excellent, as a central concern of the university is to bring innovations to society swiftly.”
More investment than ever before
The overall volume of investment in ETH spin-offs also developed positively last year. More than CHF 630 million have been invested – a volume never seen before. Although GetYourGuide stands out, many other spin-offs also reported large financing rounds last year; for example, Nexxiot and Beekeeper raised CHF 50 million and USD 45 million respectively. The 2019 ETH Zurich spin-off Planted Foods produces a meat substitute from peas and closed a first financing round of CHF 7 million.
