This database includes high potential projects and companies in the environment and energy sectors based and working primarily in Switzerland, founded or active since 2000 and still operational. The maturity phase ranges from initial concept (formation or validation) up to those that are trying to capture a larger market space (growth and then established). Discover the companies by using the search filters. Sort the list by clicking on the arrows next to founding year, canton and phase. If your innovation is missing, please add your project here .
| Company Name | Founding year Canton What phase are you currently in? | Areas of Activity [Subareas] | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrai |
2016 ZH Formation |
Food, Agriculture & Forestry [ Health Solutions ] | Smart: Device |
| We discover the how, when, & why of food consumption patterns that are affecting patients health | |||
| Oxyle |
2020 ZH Formation |
Components: Physical & chemical & nano tech | |
| Oxyle uses clean energy to degrade hazardous micropollutants from wastewater, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, chemicals etc. | |||
| qCella |
2023 ZH Formation |
[ Energy Efficiency ] | Biological: Material based on biomass |
| By impregnating natural fibers with copper qCella developped a more energy-efficient heating mats compared to commercially available heating wires. By having a proper electical resistance across the entire structure the heating mats heat homogenously and can be cut into any desired form. By eliminating the need for a heat-losing upholstering layer energy consumption can be reduced. | |||
| QuerDenkFabrik |
2014 BE Formation |
[ Energy Efficiency ] | Energy: Motor & actuator |
| Development and improvement of high-pole electric motors. The first prototyps are promising. Using the new Soft Magnetic Composite Material | |||
| RB2 Robotics |
2017 VD Formation |
[ Engineering & Industrial Design ] | None |
| We are a spin-off from the HEIG-VD Intelligent Data Analysis Laboratory based at the EPFL innovation park. We are developing state of the art deep learning models that enable robots to make smart and secure decisions only based on what they see just like humans do. | |||
| REEcover |
2024 Formation |
None | |
| At REEcover, we take advantage of a unique patented technology which allows us to recover these elements from electronic waste. Our first proof of concept concerns the recycling of Europium and Yttrium from energy saving lamps, with a separation factor 10 times superior to existing technologies. We want to take advantage of the well-established recycling scheme to decrease this dependance on minerals which are mined thousands of kilometers away. | |||
| Retreeva |
2021 VD Formation |
[ Circular Economy ] | Components: New chemical materials |
| Retreeva's patented high-tech sponge selectively captures precious metals from industrial waste streams in trace concentrations and record time. Recycling these valuable resources in a green manner ultimately helps reducing carbon emissions, energy loss and dependence of industry on virgin mines, thus contributing towards a more responsible future. Ultimately, with its adsorbents, Retreeva aims to aid access to drinkable water in underdeveloped regions. | |||
| sallea |
ZH Formation |
None | |
| sallea develops platform technology for producing edible scaffolds used in the cultivation of structured, lab-grown meat and fish. Their solution enables the creation of whole cuts that replicate traditional taste, texture, and nutritional value, aiming to offer a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional livestock farming. | |||
| Solaxer |
2021 VD Formation |
Manufacturing & Industrial Processes [ Energy Efficiency ] | Energy: Renewable tech, Energy: Solarthermal |
| Solaxer helps industries cut reliance on fossil fuels by delivering a new method of heat harvesting. This next generation technology delivers solar receivers with high performance but with significantly reduced environmental impact and at lower cost. | |||
| somebodyelse |
2021 ZH Formation |
Culture, Education & Media [ Behavioural Change ] | IT: Gamification |
| Somebodyelse creates embodied experiences in VR to help people to understand an issue in an immersive, educational and playful way to raise awareness and enable positive behavioural change. In 2015, the United Nations all agreed on 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. But social, cultural, and environmental problems still seem to be accumulating worldwide; sustainable cities and communities, access to health and therapy, or social wellbeing are still huge problems to tackle. People are still not sufficiently aware of the underlying problems, cannot understand, imagine, or relate to them, and therefore, will not change them either. Digital technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) allow a wide range of people to experience abstract content appealingly. And, today we know that people can better understand and emphasize through a self-made bodily experience. | |||
| Airfix |
2022 ZH Formation |
[ Carbon Removal & Storage ] | IT: Platforms or networking solutions |
| Building a Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage market. Airfix, a new subsidiary of South Pole, combines decades of climate finance and carbon project development expertise with a vision for a scalable Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage market in Switzerland and beyond. | |||
| SUIND |
2020 ZH Formation |
[ Air Transport ] | IT: Internet of Things IOT, Mobility: Drone & flight |
| Enabling drone companies to unlock the full potential of drones by providing them with state of the art safety solution. | |||
| Swistor |
2022 VD Formation |
[ Energy Storage ] | Energy: Battery |
| Swistor develops the next generation of energy storage device for a clean, sustainable future. The Lithium and Cobalt free solution enables charging our devices ultra fast, extends the lifetime 30 times and is environmentally friendly and safe. | |||
| TaoTree |
2022 ZH Formation |
Circular Economy, Waste & Resources [ Behavioural Change ] | IT: Platforms or networking solutions |
| TaoTree has the goal to build an online community focused on more environmentally conscious behavior. Ecological behavior earns you points and allows you to compete with others. The platform is also about the exchange with other environmentally conscious users. It is also intended that Taotree can be used in companies to encourage employees to behave positively with regard to the environment. | |||
| Terensis |
ZH Formation |
None | |
| Terensis is an agricultural intelligence platform offering predictive insights into global crop production. It provides forecasts up to six months in advance, supporting strategic planning for analysts, sourcing specialists, and investors. The platform delivers detailed yield and quality estimations from field to regional level and consolidates fragmented agricultural data into a single source. With over 40 years of production insights and a strong focus on sustainability, Terensis enables informed decision-making across the agricultural value chain. | |||
| terralayr |
ZG Formation |
None | |
| Terralayr is a company focused on supporting the transition to 100% renewable energy by addressing the challenges of variable energy supply and demand. They specialize in battery energy storage systems (BESS), which help stabilize power grids by storing excess renewable energy and supplying it when needed. By partnering with landowners, suppliers, and communities, Terralayr aims to make renewable energy more reliable. They are also developing a cloud platform to provide scalable, on-demand energy flexibility, enabling businesses to adopt clean energy more easily and efficiently. | |||
| UpGrid |
2024 ZG Formation |
None | |
| UpGrid enables the creation and management of local energy communities by connecting electricity consumers and producers. The platform facilitates the purchase and sale of affordable solar power from the region — even without owning a roof or making an upfront investment. UpGrid offers 100% financing for PV systems, flexible participation models, and digital onboarding. It supports private individuals, SMEs, municipalities, and investors with services such as community financing, battery integration, and legal-compliant administration. Over 3,600 customers and 40+ communities are already active on the platform. | |||
| Urstamm |
2021 AR Formation |
[ Forestry & Restauration & Land Use ] | None |
| We enable and promote sustainable timber, forest management and regionality through transparency and efficient processes with digital proof of origin on the wood. | |||
| Va-loo.ch |
2021 ZH Formation |
Climate, Sustainability & Hazards [ Waste Management & Recycling ] | Components: Construction - Advanced materials & energy optimization, Components: Resource or material optimisation, Environment: Waste recovery, recycling and re-use, Environment: Water conservation |
| The VaLoo association was founded on World Toilet Day 2021 with the aim "to create value from what ends up in the Loo". Our 44 founding members from 18 different organisations are a heterogeneous group of start-up entrepreneurs, associations, researchers, students and other interested parties. | |||
| vyzn |
ZH Formation |
None | |
| vyzn is a leading AI-driven software platform for optimizing new-build and renovation projects based on 3D and BIM data. It enables construction professionals to design sustainable, cost-efficient buildings with unprecedented ease and precision. | |||
| Winduction |
ZH Formation |
None | |
| Winduction is developing a dynamic wireless power transfer system for electric vehicles, enabling real-time charging while driving. By integrating energy receivers into vehicle wheels and ground-based transmitters powered by local renewable sources (e.g., solar panels), the system allows efficient energy transfer without relying heavily on grid storage. The approach supports decentralized energy supply, fractional infrastructure ownership, and monetization for energy producers and street owners. Winduction originated from a thesis at ETH Zurich, with a prototype achieving 81% transfer efficiency. The company aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and enhance renewable energy usage in road transport. | |||
| Zelsius |
2024 Formation |
None | |
| Simple, easy to use It-Platform to calculate and report Climate Emissions for Swiss KMU | |||
| Zurich Soft Robotics |
2022 ZH Formation |
[ Building Technologies ] | Energy: Photovoltaics |
| Zurich Soft Robotics produces a novel adaptive solar façade named Solskin. It increases photovoltaic energy production compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, the façade offers additional solar protection through AI-controlled shading. | |||
| Züroship |
2021 ZH Formation |
Climate, Sustainability & Hazards [ Maritime & Waterway Transport ] | Energy: Hydro |
| At Zeroship, we help barge operators become emission-free without having to buy a new ship. We do this with a retrofit solution that is based on our hydrogen energy pack. The hydrogen energy pack is a standard 20-foot container that delivers reliable, emission-free electric power to the ship’s electric motor. Our business model consists of two offerings: we replace the barge’s diesel engine with an electric motor, and then lease the energy packs to the barge operator – refueling with green hydrogen included. | |||
| 9T Labs |
2018 ZH Validation |
Manufacturing & Industrial Processes [ Efficiency Solutions ] | Components: Physical & chemical & nano tech |
| 9T Labs advances lightweight design by simplifying the use of high-performance materials with 3D Printing using industry grade carbon fiber composites | |||
| Aeler Technologies |
2018 VD Validation |
[ Freight & Logistics ] | IT: Internet of Things IOT |
| AELER is an AI-powered, logistics technology company. We make next-gen shipping containers which bring full in-transit visibility. | |||
| Agile Wind Power |
2010 ZH Validation |
Circular Economy, Waste & Resources [ Energy Production & Supply ] | Energy: Renewable tech, Energy: Wind |
| Agile Wind Power develops technology solutions for energy production from wind energy. It develops a vertically-rotating wind turbine which is able to reduce maintenance costs, and increase profitability and efficiency. | |||
| AgroSustain |
2018 VD Validation |
[ Food Systems & Food Tech ] | Biological: Agricultural tech, Biological: Bio tech, Environment: Waste management tech |
| AgroSustain develops plant-based antifungal solutions to stop the development of molds on fruits and vegetables, extending food shelf-life and reducing wastage for food distributors & retailers, leading to significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Participation: AgroSustain replaces chemicals on biological fungicides, providing crop protection without negative impact on the environment. | |||
| AIPHA |
2018 ZH Validation |
Climate, Sustainability & Hazards [ Electricity Grids & Flexibility ] | IT: Data usage, IT: Software |
| AIPHA GmbH provides Deep Learning based tools to automatically identify vegetation based threats to power lines. The main focus are grow-in, fall-in and forest fire threats. For this purpose, Geodata like Satellite images or Point Clouds from Drones or Airborne Laserscanning are evaluated. | |||
| AirBie (Smart Bike Lock) |
2018 ZH Validation |
Financials & Information Technology [ Bicycles & E-Bikes ] | IT: Blockchain or algorithms, IT: Internet of Things IOT, Mobility: E-bike |
| AirBie proposes smart bike locks for bikes, through the installation of the AirBie App. This allows companies to monitor their fleet with smary city analytics software. | |||