More venture capital for SMEs

Credit Suisse now making CHF 200 million of venture capital available to Swiss SMEs

Expansion of venture capital vehicle Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. from CHF 130 million to CHF 200 million

Credit Suisse has announced an expansion of its venture capital vehicle Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. on the occasion of today’s Entrepreneurs’ Day and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Alfred Escher. With the additional capital, the bank wants to further expand its commitment to Switzerland as a center of economic activity and contribute to the sustainable advancement of entrepreneurship in Switzerland.

As a leading bank for entrepreneurs, Credit Suisse places great importance on strengthening and promoting the Swiss economic center and entrepreneurship in Switzerland by means of a wide range of measures. Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. (formerly SVC – Ltd. for Risk Capital for SMEs) has so far invested venture capital amounting to CHF 130 million in more than 50 SMEs at different stages of development. Credit Suisse is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Alfred Escher by expanding this successful investment vehicle by a further CHF 70 million to a total of CHF 200 million.

Didier Denat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. and Head of Corporate Clients & Investment Banking at Credit Suisse in Switzerland, comments as follows: “Turning a vision into reality and facilitating progress require capital. Alfred Escher recognized this back in the 19th century, and it is no less true nowadays. In particular, young companies at the beginning of their life cycle require venture capital if they are to make their ideas marketable and expand. With Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. we are not just investing in the companies themselves, but also seeking to ensure that Switzerland remains a globally leading center of innovation and business in the future too.”

Multifaceted investment areas with clear criteria

Investments are made in Swiss start-ups and SMEs from all industry sectors. The focus is on three groups in particular:

• Established companies that require capital to invest in growth or expansion.
• Small businesses with significant regional importance, in order to ensure that their locally based jobs are secured.
• Start-ups in the areas of robotics and automation, medtech and fintech with innovative ideas that require support to implement their business plan after achieving market acceptance.

Unlike the recently launched Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund, which was set up by Credit Suisse and is now distributed jointly with UBS, the investment sums involved in the majority of the participations of Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. are significantly lower, and typically range between CHF 250,000 and CHF 8 million.

Successful track record to date

Thanks to its commitment spanning many years, Credit Suisse has made a name for itself in the venture capital market through its investment vehicle: “Every week we receive an average of 15 financing enquiries, and that number is on the rise,” observes Elios Elsener, CEO of Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. Of the 52 investments implemented so far, 29 remain actively managed within the portfolio, with Helvetica Capital Ltd. managing the operational side. A number of stakes have been sold at a profit since 2010. “In contrast to the first few years, the vehicle is now profitable and self-sustaining,” emphasizes Elsener.

Most recent investment: Zurich based start-up “Fotokite”

The most recent investment of Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. is a start-up based in Zurich called “Perspective Robotics” (d.b.a. “Fotokite”; also see separate press release). Fotokite develops and produces tethered drones that can be operated autonomously over unlimited periods of time. Fotokite is dedicated to improving the safety and speed of public safety team operations, such as fire brigades. The company, which was founded as a spin-off of ETH Zurich back in 2014, now comprises a team of 25 people. The seven-figure investment of Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. will allow the company to accelerate its growth and create additional jobs in Switzerland.

Further information on Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. :
www.credit-suisse.com/entrepreneurcapital