Three Young Companies Receive Awards at Startup Nights

(CONNECT) This year's Startup Nights took place on 6 and 7 November. According to a press release, over 9,500 people and 150 start-ups came to the Eulachhallen in Winterthur. More than 70 speakers talked about technologies, business models and innovation strategies.

The jury and the audience selected the most convincing young companies in three categories. The winners each received 5000 francs in prize money.

This year's Deep Tech Award, supported by ABB, went to Caterra AG. Founded in 2023, the start-up from Opfikon ZH has developed an autonomous laser technology for precise weed control.

The Impact Tech Award, supported by UBS, went to Verretex SA. Founded in 2025, the company in St.Sulpice VD has developed a sustainable solution for recovering and reusing glass fibers from industrial waste. Second place went to Voltiris AG in Epalinges VD, third place to WasteFlow SA in Ecublens VS.

The Health Tech Award, sponsored by the Startup Nights themselves, went to PeriVision AG. Founded in 2022 and based in Epalinges, the company has developed a platform for virtual eye tests and artificial intelligence-based diagnostics and prognostics in ophthalmology.

PeriVision also won the public vote and thus a place in the founders2 Growth Accelerator Program worth CHF 20,000. Verretex received the Youth Prize, which is awarded by 140 high school graduates from the Büelrain Cantonal School in Winterthur.

"The quality and diversity of the ideas presented were impressive," Alyssia Kugler is quoted as saying in the press release. "The Startup Nights show that Switzerland is at the forefront when it comes to innovative strength and entrepreneurial spirit," says the Managing Director of the Entrepreneur Club Winterthur, which organizes the Startup Nights. ce/ug