ESA BIC Startups in Switzerland: Incubatees & Alumni (2026)

Neural Concept develops AI-powered engineering software that accelerates product design and simulation across automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. The Lausanne-based company recently closed a USD 100 million Series C round led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, alongside a Series B totaling USD 27 million, and maintains an active collaboration with Airbus.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Ligentec manufactures photonic integrated circuits for LiDAR, datacom, quantum computing, and space communications applications. Founded in 2016 in Ecublens, the company has secured EU-funded industrial silicon photonics consortium support and recently earned the Scale-Up Vaud 2026 Label Award alongside expanded partnerships with X-FAB.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

PAVE Space provides in-space logistics and propulsion systems for orbital operations and satellite servicing. The Villeneuve startup, founded in 2024, raised USD 40 million in its seed round from investors including Visionaries Club and Creandum, and was ranked third at the Top100 Swiss Startup Award 2026.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

EH Group Engineering develops compact hydrogen fuel cell stacks for marine, aviation, and stationary power applications. Based in Nyon since 2017, the company has raised over USD 32 million total, including Series A funding led by Safran Group and HyAccelerator, and participates in partnerships advancing zero-emission propulsion.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Involi operates a real-time air traffic surveillance platform and receiver network for drone operations and airspace management. The Lausanne-based company has raised over USD 528,000 across multiple funding rounds and participates in the SAFIR-Ready SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking project focused on urban air mobility safety.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Klepsydra Technologies develops edge AI software frameworks specifically qualified for space, robotics, and aerospace applications. The Zug startup received seed funding led by Spicehaus Partners and has secured participation in ESA-backed projects including the ENORMITY space initiative with Ramon Space and ETH Zurich.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Onocoy operates a decentralized GNSS correction data network using blockchain technology for high-precision positioning services. The company conducted a Token Generation Event in 2025 and secured USD 1.5 million in non-dilutive ESA NAVISP Element 2 grants for developing AI-powered GNSS fraud detection capabilities.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

NovoViz manufactures single-photon avalanche diode sensors for high-sensitivity imaging applications in aerospace and quantum imaging. The Neuchatel company raised approximately USD 2 million in a funding round completed in October 2026 and was recognized in the Top 100 Swiss Startup Award for low-power edge imaging technology.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Spacetek Technology brings time-of-flight mass spectrometer technology from space missions into industrial process monitoring and semiconductor manufacturing. Founded in 2008 in Gumligen, the company secured CHF 9.6 million in growth financing in late 2025, comprising fresh equity and loan support from regional technology funds.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

NematX develops high-precision industrial 3D printing technology using liquid crystal polymers for aerospace and space component manufacturing. The Zurich startup, founded in 2020, has raised approximately USD 1.46 million from investors including Polyplastics and the W.A. de Vigier Foundation, and secured strategic investment from a Japanese partner in 2024.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Flybotix manufactures inspection drones for confined space operations with extended flight times and AI analytics capabilities. The Swiss company, founded in 2019, closed a Series A extension round of approximately USD 10 million in September 2025 led by a technology-focused family office with participation from existing investors.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

CYSEC provides cybersecurity solutions for satellite systems and confidential computing applications. The Lausanne company raised CHF 4 million in a seed extension led by Line Break Capital in 2022 and has expanded its focus into digital assets and edge computing security for the space industry.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

CompPair Technologies develops self-healing composite materials and repair technology for aerospace and mobility applications. Based in Lausanne since 2020, the company raised EUR 1.3 million in Series A funding in 2021 and recently secured additional funding to accelerate market deployment of its healable composite systems.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

a-metal manufactures compact and affordable metal 3D printing systems specifically designed for the space industry. The Zurich company completed a USD 2.63 million seed round in September 2025 led by QBIT Capital with participation from Zurich Cantonal Bank.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Menhir Photonics develops ultrafast femtosecond laser systems for timing, quantum technology, and microwave generation applications. Founded in 2018 in Dubendorf, the company received USD 1.25 million from a US Air Force grant and recently announced a new facility for mass-producing next-generation lasers for 6G and quantum applications.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Diramics manufactures ultra-low-noise pHEMT transistors and amplifiers for space ground stations and satellite communications. The Steinhaussen startup, founded in 2016, received grant support from Horizon 2020 and ESA BIC Switzerland and recently joined the EU-funded Move2THz project.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Coactum develops satellite positioning and movement solutions for Earth orbit operations and in-space transportation. The Bex-based company received ESA Boost co-funding totaling EUR 390,000 for propellant storage system development alongside ESA BIC Switzerland incubation support.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

DPhi provides on-orbit compute platforms that host hardware payloads and software workloads on shared satellites. The company raised CHF 2.1 million in a pre-seed round in February 2025 led by QBIT Capital with participation from Zurich Cantonal Bank and other regional investors.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Prometheus Life Technologies develops human tissue organoids grown in microgravity for pharmaceutical testing and regenerative medicine applications. The Dubendorf company, founded in 2018, received USD 216,000 in seed funding from ESA Business Incubation Centre Switzerland and won Orbital Reef's Reef Starter Innovation Challenge.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Chirp Light develops 4D FMCW LIDAR sensor technology for robust autonomous approach and docking in spacecraft operations. The Thalwil company received USD 234,000 in grant funding from ESA BIC Switzerland to advance its navigation sensor capabilities for extreme lighting conditions.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC