{"id":39935,"date":"2026-10-05T13:50:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T11:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ggba.swiss\/?p=39935"},"modified":"2026-10-05T13:50:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T11:50:17","slug":"csem-launches-start-up-elevate-to-help-deep-tech-start-ups-overcome-technical-barriers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ggba.swiss\/en\/csem-launches-start-up-elevate-to-help-deep-tech-start-ups-overcome-technical-barriers\/","title":{"rendered":"CSEM launches Start-up Elevate to help deep-tech start-ups overcome technical barriers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CSEM<\/a> is launching the Start-up Elevate Program<\/a>, which will select five incorporated deep-tech start-ups, ideally at the pre-Series A stage, and give each a \u201cTechnical Lift\u201d: CHF 50,000 worth of project support from CSEM experts. Each project targets a clearly defined milestone to help the start-up overcome a specific technical barrier on the path from prototype to industrial deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switzerland is among the world’s most deep-tech-focused economies. According to the Swiss Deep Tech Report 2026<\/a>, 63% of venture capital invested in Switzerland goes to deep-tech companies, the highest share reported globally, and Swiss deep-tech funding reached a record USD 2.6 billion in 2025. Progress beyond the prototype stage, however, can depend on specialist engineering expertise and infrastructure that young companies cannot yet afford to build internally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the program works<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the challenge, a Technical Lift can involve validating performance, improving a component, refining a prototype, solving an integration issue or testing a technology under real-world conditions, with the milestone defined jointly by CSEM and the start-up. The support is provided as CSEM project services rather than cash, the start-up remains fully independent, and CSEM takes no equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bahaa Roustom, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at CSEM, noted that investment and coaching are essential parts of the ecosystem, but that many challenges require direct access to the right engineers, infrastructure and expertise. The program is currently open to Swiss-based start-ups whose projects connect to CSEM expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start-up Elevate is part of CSEM TechBridge, which brings together CSEM’s initiatives for companies at different stages of innovation, alongside the Spin-off Program, which supports new companies built around CSEM technologies, and the Digital Journey Award, which supports the digital transformation of Swiss SMEs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch our Getting Serious episode<\/a> with CSEM CEO Dr. Alexandre Pauchard, who examines the foundations of Switzerland’s innovation leadership and the risks linked to scale-up financing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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