The Swiss Startup Group has set up its own investment fund, the SSUG Flagship Fund I
In order to invest into new and promising early stage companies, but also to conduct follow-on investments in our existing portfolio, the Swiss Startup Group has decided to set up its own investment fund - the SSUG Flagship Fund I.
This fund is dedicated to qualified private and institutional investors who want to invest in venture with an indirect investment approach and on a discretionary basis. It is a suitable solution for all investors who wish to delegate investment decisions to a skilled team of professional investors.
Focus
SSUG Flagship Fund I invests in early stage startups with high growth potential in Switzerland, Europe, Israel and the US. While being sector agnostic, it invests mainly in disruptive technologies with focus on scalable ICT business models as well as in health-tech companies on a selective basis. As part of the Swiss Startup Group the SSUG Flagship Fund I benefits from a unique access to the Swiss Startup ecosystem.
Innovation
Focus on disruptive technologies
Scalability
Exceptional Teams and high growth potential
Proximity
Covering Switzerland, Europe, Israel and US.
Companies
The Swiss Startup Group provides capital, experience, coaching and door opening to highly scalable European startups. Our fund will focus on early stage companies with high growth potential and tend not to invest beyond Series A financing rounds.
See current and past investments made by the Swiss Startup Group⟶
Investment Committee
Max Meister
CEO Swiss Startup Capital AG
Max Meister has 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur and investor. He worked for over 8 years as a Managing Partner in a top tier consultancy, advising clients on strategic topics in Europe. He founded and co-founded numerous other successful startups, like the Swiss Startup Factory that he founded in 2015 as a successful accelerator program in Europe.
He is senior lecturer for entrepreneurship at HWZ University of Applied Science.
He currently serves as CSO of Swiss Startup Group AG, CEO and member of the Investment Committee of Swiss Startup Capital AG and Board Director of various entities.
Max Meister studied business administration in Berne.
Guillaume Waser
CFO Swiss Startup Group AG
Guillaume Waser has 13 years of experience as an investment banker, entrepreneur and investor. He worked for over 8 years as an investment banker at top tier US institutions, advising clients on M&A and capital raising transaction in Europe and North America. He then participated as a principal in the acquisition of a Swiss digital advertising agency jointly owned by Ringier AG and KKR. He served as CFO for the following 4 years during the restructuring of the business into an AdTech company active in Europe and Asia.
He currently serves as CFO of Swiss Startup Group AG, member of the Investment Committee of Swiss Startup Capital AG and Board Director of various entities.
He holds a Bachelor in Economics from HEC Lausanne and a Master in Finance from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Mike Baur
CEO Swiss Startup Group AG
Mike Baur spent twenty years in Swiss Private Banking and has top management experience as Head of Private Banking Switzerland at one of the largest Swiss private banks. In 2015, Mike started his entrepreneurial journey and founded together with his two Co-Founders Max Meister and Oliver Walzer the Swiss Startup Group.
He currently serves as CEO of Swiss Startup Group AG, Chairman and member of the Investment Committee of Swiss Startup Capital AG and Board Director of various entities.
Mike has been named as one of the top ten Digital Startup enablers in Switzerland. He holds an MBA from the University of Rochester New York as well as an Executive MBA from the University of Berne.
Manuel Ebner
Country Executive Bank of America Merrill Lynch Switzerland
Manuel Ebner has over 30 years of experience in strategy consulting and finance. After a first startup experience in the Silicon Valley in 1984, he has then been working as Partner at both BCG and McKinsey with a focus on financial services and technology.
Thereafter, he has accumulated various experiences as CEO of Artificial Life Switzerland, Obtree Technologies, BZ Bank and Merrill Lynch Capital Markets.
He currently serves as Country Executive at Bank of America Merrill Lynch Switzerland and maintains ongoing activities as angel investor and to companies in the AI, blockchain, biotech and medtech sector.
Manuel Ebner holds bachelors in both Engineering and Economics from Stanford University as well as an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Michael Stucky
Coach and Mentor for Entrepreneurship at ETH Zurich
Michael Stucky has 10 years of experience as entrepreneur and coach for early stage startups. He has co-founded several startups in both Switzerland and the Silicon Valley. Moreover, he has 10 years experience in finance and banking, both in asset management and corporate finance.
Michael Stucky has held various positions in top management: In 2004 he was CEO of the North American subsidiary of a major Swiss Private Bank, in 2011 he was Co-Founder and CFO of ETH spinoff GlycoVaxyn AG and he is Co-Founder and Chairman of the board of ETH spinoff Auxivo AG. He is currently mentor and coach for aspiring entrepreneurs at the ETH Zurich and the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse.
Michael Stucky holds a Master in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business as well as an MBA from the University of Zurich.
World-class Advisory Board
The Swiss Startup Group team is supported by a high-profile Advisory Board which includes individuals with a unique investment track record:
Dr. iur. Christian Wenger
Christian Wenger specializes in commercial and business law with a focus on private equity and venture capital. He is president and member of various boards of directors and executive boards. Amongst other initiatives he founded Swiss Startup Invest and is cofounder of digitalswitzerland with the aim of positioning Switzerland as a leading technology giant in Europe.
Urs Wietlisbach
Urs Wietlisbach co-founded Partners Group in 1996. He is a member of Partners Group Holding AG’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the Markets Committee, based in Zug. He has 28 years of industry experience.
Peter Friedli
Peter Friedli has been a principal of the investment banking firm Friedli Corporate Finance, Inc. since 1986. Mr. Friedli has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience as an independent investment manager in venture capital.
Patrick Aebischer
Patrick Aebischer is the president emeritus of EPFL. He is the Founder of 3 Start-ups. He is a Board Member of Nestlé, Lonza and Logitech. He chairs the Novartis Venture Fund and is a Senior Partner of NanoDimension-III.
Christian Wildmoser
Christian Wildmoser is a former partner of CVC Capital Partners, one of the leading private equity firms in the world. He has more than 25 years of investment experience and today is an active venture investor.
Dr. iur. Christian Wenger
Christian Wenger specializes in commercial and business law with a focus on private equity and venture capital. He is president and member of various boards of directors and executive boards. Amongst other initiatives he founded Swiss Startup Invest and is cofounder of digitalswitzerland with the aim of positioning Switzerland as a leading technology giant in Europe.
Urs Wietlisbach
Urs Wietlisbach co-founded Partners Group in 1996. He is a member of Partners Group Holding AG’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the Markets Committee, based in Zug. He has 28 years of industry experience.
Peter Friedli
Peter Friedli has been a principal of the investment banking firm Friedli Corporate Finance, Inc. since 1986. Mr. Friedli has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience as an independent investment manager in venture capital.
Patrick Aebischer
Patrick Aebischer is the president emeritus of EPFL. He is the Founder of 3 Start-ups. He is a Board Member of Nestlé, Lonza and Logitech. He chairs the Novartis Venture Fund and is a Senior Partner of NanoDimension-III.
Christian Wildmoser
Christian Wildmoser is a former partner of CVC Capital Partners, one of the leading private equity firms in the world. He has more than 25 years of investment experience and today is an active venture investor.
Dr. iur. Christian Wenger
Christian Wenger specializes in commercial and business law with a focus on private equity and venture capital. He is president and member of various boards of directors and executive boards. Amongst other initiatives he founded Swiss Startup Invest and is cofounder of digitalswitzerland with the aim of positioning Switzerland as a leading technology giant in Europe.
Unique Entrepreneurial Network
Some of Switzerland’s most experienced startup entrepreneurs are part of our network:
Alan Frei
Alan Frei is an Swiss entrepreneur, vagabond and minimalist. He studied at the University of Zurich (UZH). He is the co-founder and CMO of Amorana.
David Allemann
David Alleman is the Co-Founder of On, the world’s fastest growing running shoe brand. David has been working at the intersection of business and creativity as Managing Director of Young & Rubicam, at Mckinsey & Company and CMO of Vitra.
Guillaume Pousaz
Guillaume Pousaz is the founder and CEO of Checkout.com, a leading global payment solution provider. Its mission is to change the way businesses interact with financial services and build the future of banking. He founded Checkout.com in 2012 and bootstrapped the business until its record-breaking Series A fundraiser in 2019.
Kilian Wagner
Kilian Wagner is the CEO & Co-Founder of VIU, a Swiss eyewear startup shaking up the market with a premium direct-to-consumer concept. Prior to VIU, Kilian worked 5 years as a strategy consultant art McKinsey & Company. He Holds a M.A IN Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
Alan Frei
Alan Frei is an Swiss entrepreneur, vagabond and minimalist. He studied at the University of Zurich (UZH). He is the co-founder and CMO of Amorana.
David Allemann
David Alleman is the Co-Founder of On, the world’s fastest growing running shoe brand. David has been working at the intersection of business and creativity as Managing Director of Young & Rubicam, at Mckinsey & Company and CMO of Vitra.
Guillaume Pousaz
Guillaume Pousaz is the founder and CEO of Checkout.com, a leading global payment solution provider. Its mission is to change the way businesses interact with financial services and build the future of banking. He founded Checkout.com in 2012 and bootstrapped the business until its record-breaking Series A fundraiser in 2019.
Kilian Wagner
Kilian Wagner is the CEO & Co-Founder of VIU, a Swiss eyewear startup shaking up the market with a premium direct-to-consumer concept. Prior to VIU, Kilian worked 5 years as a strategy consultant art McKinsey & Company. He Holds a M.A IN Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
Alan Frei
Alan Frei is an Swiss entrepreneur, vagabond and minimalist. He studied at the University of Zurich (UZH). He is the co-founder and CMO of Amorana.
