10 Zurich deeptech investors back AI, quantum, robotics, and climate tech startups in 2026. Swisscom Ventures, btov Partners, and 2150 write CHF 150K-€30M cheques in 8-16 weeks. ETH Zurich produces 35+ deeptech spin-outs annually - Europe's highest rate.
ETH Zurich produces 35+ deeptech spin-outs annually, topping European universities in 2026. Switzerland has 1,200+ active deeptech patents and the highest research spending per GDP in Europe.
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) invested CHF 1.2B in deeptech and frontier research in 2025. SNSF-funded deeptech founders raise Zurich VC seed rounds 40% faster than non-SNSF peers.
Quantum Basel 2026 established Switzerland as Europe's first sovereign quantum computing hub. Swiss quantum startups raise Zurich deeptech VC at 2x the valuations of comparable EU quantum peers.
This guide covers 10 active deeptech investors in Zurich writing cheques in 2026.
| Type | Check size | Sector focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swisscom Ventures | Corporate VC | CHF 1M-€15M | AI, IoT, deeptech, digital infrastructure | swisscom.ch |
| btov Partners | Early-stage VC | €500K-€5M | Deeptech, hardware, B2B tech | btov.vc |
| Lakestar | Early-stage VC | CHF 1M-€30M | Tech, deeptech, marketplace, SaaS | lakestar.com |
| Creathor Venture | Seed / Series A VC | €500K-€5M | Deeptech, SaaS, digital health | creathor.com |
| VI Partners | Growth-stage VC | CHF 5M-€30M | Deeptech, tech, marketplace | vipartners.ch |
| Founderful | Pre-seed VC | CHF 150K-€1M | Pre-seed tech, deeptech, B2B | founderful.com |
| Verve Ventures | Angel / Seed VC | CHF 100K-€2M | Tech, deeptech, medtech, B2B | verve.vc |
| Investiere | Angel crowdfunding | CHF 50K-€2M | Tech, deeptech, B2B, fintech | investiere.ch |
| 2150 | Climate deeptech VC | €2M-€20M | Climate tech, deeptech, urban tech | 2150.vc |
| Helvetia Venture Fund | Insurance CVC | CHF 500K-€5M | IoT, deeptech, insurtech, real estate tech | helvetia.com |
Control access to your Zurich deeptech IP
Zurich deeptech VCs require NDA before IP review. Ellty controls document access and tracks every download.
Start free 14-day trialWhat Zurich deeptech VCs look for
Zurich deeptech VCs require ETH spin-out license or university patent agreement before seed cheques. ETH-licensed deeptech closes Zurich VC seed rounds 12 weeks faster than unlicensed IP-based startups.
Innosuisse validation grant (CHF 150K-€500K) is the standard pre-seed signal for Zurich deeptech VCs. Innosuisse-validated deeptech closes Zurich seed rounds with 30% higher valuations in 2026.
Track all IP documentation, SNSF grants, and technical whitepapers in a data room with access logs. Zurich deeptech VCs request IP term sheets within 24 hours of data room access grant.
Swisscom and Helvetia deeptech CVCs require pilot revenue before Series A co-investment. Deeptech with CHF 100K+ ARR from Swiss enterprise pilot closes Zurich Series A 4 months faster.
Zurich deeptech founders who close fastest have ETH IP licensing signed, Innosuisse validation granted, and a Swiss enterprise pilot running. Show me the Innosuisse grant and the pilot contract and we can move to term sheet.
10 Zurich deeptech investors
1. Swisscom Ventures
Swisscom's corporate VC with direct Swiss telco infrastructure and enterprise customer base.
Recent Deals: Deeptech and enterprise investments 2025-2026; Swisscom telco network; Swiss corporate pilot access
LinkedIn: Swisscom Ventures LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, B2B SaaS, enterprise
Stage Focus: Seed to Series B
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: swisscom.com/ventures
2. btov Partners
Swiss-German deeptech seed VC with ETH Zurich alumni network and hardware expertise.
Recent Deals: Deeptech seed investments 2025-2026; ETH Zurich alumni connections; hardware and software expertise
LinkedIn: btov Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, B2B SaaS, hardware
Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: btov.vc
3. Lakestar
Klaus Hommels-led European VC with 2026 Deep Tech Report launch and ETH Zurich network.
Recent Deals: 2026 European Deep Tech Report; ETH Zurich network; European deeptech and B2B SaaS portfolio active
LinkedIn: Lakestar LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, B2B SaaS, tech
Stage Focus: Seed to Series B
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: lakestar.com
4. Creathor Venture
Swiss-German VC with 25 years hardware and software deeptech track record in DACH.
Recent Deals: Deeptech investments 2025-2026; 25 years DACH experience; German and Swiss industrial customer access
LinkedIn: Creathor Venture LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, hardware, B2B
Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: creathor.com
5. VI Partners
Swiss ETH Zurich and EPFL spin-out specialist with direct research lab commercialization track.
Recent Deals: Deeptech spin-outs 2025-2026; ETH Zurich and EPFL direct pipeline; Innosuisse grant network active
LinkedIn: VI Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, quantum, hardware
Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: vipartners.ch
6. Founderful
Switzerland's leading pre-seed fund with ETH Zurich and EPFL alumni and €200K first check.
Recent Deals: Pre-seed investments 2025-2026; ETH Zurich and EPFL founders; €200K first check with fast terms
LinkedIn: Founderful LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, B2B SaaS, Swiss
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: founderful.com
Track who's reading your Zurich deeptech pitch
Ellty shows you which Swiss deeptech VCs opened your deck and how long they spent on it.
Start free 14-day trial7. Verve Ventures
Swiss angel platform with 5,000+ accredited investors and ETH/EPFL spin-out focus.
Recent Deals: Angel co-investments 2025-2026; 5,000+ Swiss investor network; ETH and EPFL spin-out specialist
LinkedIn: Verve Ventures LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, Swiss, all sectors
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: verve.vc
8. Investiere
Swiss angel co-investment platform with 2,000+ investors and Innosuisse grant matching.
Recent Deals: Angel co-investments 2025-2026; 2,000+ accredited investors; Innosuisse and SNSF grant connections
LinkedIn: Investiere LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, all sectors, Swiss
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website: investiere.ch
9. 2150
Copenhagen deeptech and urban technology VC with European climate and infrastructure network.
Recent Deals: Urban and climate deeptech 2025-2026; European city infrastructure network; Copenhagen-Zurich active
LinkedIn: 2150 LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Deep tech, climate, urban tech
Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Website: 2150.vc
10. Helvetia Venture Fund
Helvetia insurance corporate VC backing InsurTech and connected device deeptech.
Recent Deals: Insurtech and IoT investments 2025-2026; Helvetia insurance distribution; Swiss corporate network
LinkedIn: Helvetia Venture Fund LinkedIn
Sector Focus: InsurTech, IoT, deep tech
Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
Location: St. Gallen, Switzerland
Website: helvetia.com
ETH Zurich deeptech transfer
ETH Zurich's technology transfer office (ETH transfer) licensed 180+ technologies in 2025. ETH transfer licenses run CHF 10K-€200K upfront plus 3-5% royalties for deeptech spin-outs.
ETH Pioneer Fellowship provides CHF 150K non-dilutive for deeptech proof-of-concept projects. ETH Pioneer Fellows raise Zurich deeptech seed rounds 5 months faster than non-ETH-backed founders.
Manage your Zurich deeptech fundraising with a fundraising tool that tracks all VC conversations and IP disclosure agreements. Zurich deeptech VCs require NDA before reviewing source code and patent applications.
ETH Zurich Entrepreneurship Club connects 500+ student founders to 30+ Zurich deeptech VCs. ETH Entrepreneurship Club warm intros convert to term sheet discussions 4x faster than cold outreach.
Innosuisse and SNSF grants
Innosuisse (Swiss Innovation Agency) provides CHF 250K-€2M for Swiss deeptech validation. Innosuisse grant applications take 10-14 weeks - apply before starting VC fundraising.
SNSF Agora grant provides CHF 50K-€200K for deeptech with public communication and outreach. SNSF-funded deeptech raises Zurich VC conversations 35% faster than non-SNSF peer startups.
Track your Innosuisse and VC pipeline simultaneously with a cap table management tool that models dilution across grant and equity rounds. Innosuisse grants are non-dilutive - use them to reduce equity dilution at Zurich deeptech seed rounds.
Swiss CTI (Commission for Technology and Innovation) provides CHF 500K-€3M for deeptech R&D. CTI approval converts to Zurich deeptech VC introductions 60% of the time through CTI alumni network.
Zurich deeptech deal terms
Zurich deeptech seed rounds average CHF 2M-€5M with Swiss-law convertible notes at 20% discount. Swiss deeptech convertible notes typically carry 24-month maturity with CHF denomination.
Swiss deeptech CVCs (Swisscom, Helvetia) require pilot revenue before writing Series A cheques. Founders who start pilot 12 months before Series A close CVC participation 3 months faster.
Review your Swiss deeptech term sheet with a term sheet guide before signing any CVC lead investment. Swiss CVC term sheets include Swiss-law IP ownership clauses that differ from US standard forms.
Zurich deeptech Series A rounds average CHF 10M-€30M with 20-25% dilution in 2026. Swiss deeptech with Innosuisse grant and CHF revenue raises Series A at 40% lower dilution.
How to pitch a Zurich deeptech investor
Lead with ETH IP license, Innosuisse grant, and Swiss enterprise pilot. Technical validation closes Zurich deeptech rounds.
- 1.File ETH transfer license before starting VC outreach.ETH licensing converts Zurich deeptech VCs 3x faster.
- 2.Apply for Innosuisse validation before any seed pitches.Innosuisse signals credibility to all Zurich deeptech VCs.
- 3.Secure Swiss enterprise pilot (Swisscom or Helvetia).Enterprise pilot converts CVC deeptech seed 4x faster.
- 4.Send NDA-protected deck via Ellty. Track every VC open.Follow up when VCs open your IP and pilot contract.
- 5.Target btov and Founderful before approaching CVCs.Independent co-investor accelerates CVC deeptech by 3 months.
How Ellty helps you land a Zurich deeptech investor
Ellty is a data room for deeptech founders. Track which Zurich VCs access your IP docs and Innosuisse filings.
- 1.Organise IP, SNSF grants, and pilot data in Ellty.Set NDA-gated access for each Zurich VC separately.
- 2.Share trackable links with Zurich deeptech investors.Send each VC a unique link. Ellty logs every IP access.
- 3.Follow up when VCs open your IP and pilot contract.See which Zurich deeptech VCs reviewed your data today.
Zurich deeptech investors: common questions
- Cheques run CHF 150K-€30M. Founderful writes CHF 150K pre-seed. VI Partners writes €20M+ at Series A.
- Not required, but strongly preferred. ETH IP converts Zurich deeptech rounds 12 weeks faster than unlicensed.
- Pre-seed takes 4-8 weeks. Seed rounds take 8-14 weeks. Series A with CVC runs 14-20 weeks in Zurich.
- Quantum, AI infrastructure, and climate deeptech attract the most Zurich VC capital in 2026.
- Yes. ETH partnership or Innosuisse grant is preferred but not required for international deeptech founders.
