Basel VC

Basel VC is a venture capital blueprint designed to transform Basel's technology ecosystem through strategic investments in deep tech and B2B software startups. The initiative aims to bridge the critical funding gap for early-stage technology companies in the Basel region.

Key features:

• Clear and detailed business plan and projections
• Focus on deep tech and B2B software startups, complementing (not competing with) Basel's strong life sciences sector
• Strong emphasis on digital transformation technologies that can enhance Basel's core industries
• Support for regional innovation and talent retention
• Collaborative model connecting startups with regional corporations, academia, and government

The initiative operates on a flywheel model where startups, corporations, academia, and regional government work together to create a self-reinforcing ecosystem of innovation and growth. Unlike traditional VCs, Basel VC is specifically designed to address regional development needs while generating financial returns.

Basel faces a critical challenge: while our life sciences sector thrives, we're losing ground in the digital economy. Since 2020, over 95% of the CHF 1B+ invested in Basel went to biotech, creating an unsustainable concentration of risk.

This imbalance has real consequences. Young, skilled Swiss tech talent continues to leave our region due to limited opportunities in software and technology. Out of 250 Swiss ICT startups in the SICTIC portfolio, only nine are from Basel - a stark indicator of our digital gap.

Basel VC aims to change this trajectory by:

• Supporting our core industries with AI and deep tech innovation
• Creating high-value tech jobs to retain and attract talent
• Building resilience through economic diversification
• Connecting our strong academic research with commercial opportunities
• Supporting Accelerator graduates with follow-on funding

By investing in deep tech and B2B software startups, we're not just funding companies - we're investing in Basel's future as a balanced, resilient innovation hub that can compete globally across multiple sectors.

While Basel's life science industry is indeed thriving - something my family assisted building over generations - this perspective overlooks three critical points:

1. Leveraging Deep Tech and AI as growth catalysts for Basel's core industries, fostering early collaboration between innovative startups and established companies to enhance our existing strengths.
2. Creating a robust venture capital ecosystem as a strategic hedge against potential job market shifts, ensuring the region maintains its economic resilience in response to shareholder-driven corporate decisions.
3. Addressing digitalization challenges faced by Swiss corporates and SMEs by investing in and connecting agile startups, ultimately driving productivity improvements across the business landscape.

You're absolutely right - Basel has excellent early-stage innovation initiatives and accelerators! 

These include:

• BaseLaunch
• Tech Basel Labs
• Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area
• Impact Hub 
• i4Challenge
• DayOne Accelerator
• uptownBasel
• Quantum Basel

And we have world-class academic institutions:

• University of Basel
• FHNW
• ETH Zürich - Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE)

Basel VC isn't meant to compete with these initiatives - quite the opposite.

These programs excel at what they do: developing companies, validating ideas, and supporting early-stage innovation. They're crucial to our ecosystem.

What we're missing is the next step: when these companies graduate from accelerators or spin out from academia, they often struggle to find local funding and support to scale. This is especially true for deep tech and B2B software startups. 

That's where Basel VC comes in - providing a bridge between early-stage development and scale-up phase, helping retain these innovations and talents in our region. 

By collaborating with existing initiatives, Basel VC can help create a complete innovation pipeline: from idea to accelerator to funded scale-up, all within Basel. This ensures the great work done by our accelerators and academic institutions continues to benefit our region's economy.

Yes, Switzerland consistently ranks at the top of global innovation indices - but this could actually be part of the problem. Success can breed complacency, and in technology, standing still means falling behind.

Look beneath the surface numbers and we see concerning trends:

• 95% of Basel's venture funding goes to biotech
• Only 9 out of 250 Swiss ICT startups are from Basel
• Zurich deploys significantly more venture funding than Basel in technology
• We're experiencing a brain drain of young tech talent

Organizations like Deep Tech Nation and digitalswitzerland are actively pushing to maintain Switzerland's competitive edge in emerging technologies. Other regions are moving aggressively - Zurich with AI and fintech, Zug with blockchain.

Our strength in life sciences is remarkable, but it's also a potential vulnerability. True innovation leadership requires diversity. While we excel in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, we risk falling behind in crucial areas like AI, robotics, and enterprise software - technologies that are transforming every industry, including life sciences.

United States:

• Traditional: Major biotech hubs (Boston, San Diego, Bay Area)
• Evolution: Integrating AI/ML into drug discovery (Insitro, Atomwise)
• Key Trend: Tech giants (Google, Microsoft) entering healthcare through AI
• Investment: Equal focus on biotech ($25B) and healthtech ($15B) in 2023
• Infrastructure: Biotech hubs now actively recruiting tech talent and startups

China:

• Traditional: Large generics and manufacturing base
• Evolution: BGI and WuXi AppTec leading in AI-driven research
• Key Trend: Digital health platforms serving billions (WeDoctor, Ping An Good Doctor)
• Investment: $40B "Made in China 2025" specifically for biotech-tech convergence
• Strategy: Building integrated hubs combining pharma, tech, and digital health

United Kingdom:

• Traditional: "Golden Triangle" of London-Oxford-Cambridge
• Evolution: Francis Crick Institute combining genomics with AI
• Key Trend: NHS partnerships with tech companies for digital transformation
• Investment: £1B in AI for healthcare through NHS AI Lab
• Result: Most European biotech IPOs now include significant digital component

Israel:

• Traditional: Strong in medical devices and digital health
• Evolution: Leading in AI diagnostics and personalized medicine
• Key Trend: Military tech expertise applied to healthcare
• Investment: 40% of healthtech startups now integrate AI/ML
• Success: More digital health startups per capita than any other country

Singapore:

• Traditional: Regional base for pharma manufacturing
• Evolution: Biopolis combining wet labs with computational facilities
• Key Trend: National AI strategy prioritizing healthcare applications
• Investment: $4B for health and biomedical sciences, equal amount for supporting tech
• Approach: Integrated development of biotech and digital capabilities

These countries recognize that future life sciences leadership requires excellence in both traditional biotech AND digital innovation. They're not treating them as separate sectors, but as complementary capabilities that strengthen each other.

After growing up in Basel and spending 20 years building startups and venture funds internationally, I've developed this blueprint using my deep experience and understanding of Basel's ecosystem. This "fly-wheel" model itself is mirrored on a federal model which I introduced at a previous VC role.

However, this initiative is bigger than any one person - it needs to be owned and operated by a regional consortium to be truly successful and sustainable.

I don't intend to run Basel VC myself. Instead, I see my role as a consultant or advisor, helping to:

• Share insights from building and managing successful venture funds
• Provide guidance on best practices and potential pitfalls
• Support the development of the operational framework
• Connect relevant stakeholders based on my international experience

The ultimate success of Basel VC depends on strong regional ownership, ideally through a consortium of local institutions and stakeholders who can provide the necessary resources, connections, and long-term commitment to the region's development. I'm simply here to help get it started and share what I've learned from similar initiatives elsewhere.

I believe that for this initiative to truly serve Basel's needs and create lasting impact, it needs to be deeply embedded in the regional ecosystem, with strong local ownership and leadership. 

I left Basel for the same reasons many young people do today, I could not find a tech or digital role. I now want to help build the opportunities here that I had to look for elsewhere - but this vision can only be realized through strong regional collaboration and ownership.

During this initial phase, while Basel VC is seeking its permanent regional ownership, I will personally connect with interested organizations and initiatives to discuss potential involvement and collaboration opportunities.

We are proud to be in ongoing discussions with several respected regional organizations, including:  

• Handelskammer beider basel (HKBB)
• Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit Basel Stadt
• Standortförderung Baselland 
• Wirtschaftskammer Baselland
• FHNW - Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz

If you're interested in:

• Contributing to Basel's digital transformation
• Engaging with innovative startups
• Building regional innovation capabilities
• Being part of the solution for talent retention
• Supporting the broader ecosystem development

Please reach out to me, I'm happy to have an initial conversation about how your organization might play a role in this initiative as it develops.

Once permanent ownership is established, these relationships and discussions can be transitioned to the regional consortium that will ultimately lead Basel VC forward.

I'm always happy to explore challenges and share insights from my experience. After growing up here in Basel, learning the language and spending 20 years building startups and venture funds internationally before returning to raise my family, I've developed expertise in several key areas.

Areas I can assist with:

• Digital transformation strategy and implementation
• Corporate innovation programs and startup collaboration
• Venture capital and investment structuring
• Startup scaling and growth challenges
• Regional ecosystem development
• Technology adoption and implementation

My background includes:

• Leading VI Partners' "Digitalization of the Corporate" strategy, creating transformative partnerships between startups and major corporations like Hilti, Schindler, and ABB
• Co-managing a global focused VC fund achieving solid returns and two unicorns
• Developing and implementing digital transformation strategies for Fortune 500 companies
• Creating comprehensive frameworks for corporate innovation and digital adoption
• Facilitating over $1B in follow-on funding for portfolio companies

I see my role as an advisor, helping to:

• Share insights from building and managing successful venture funds and digital transformation initiatives
• Provide guidance on best practices and potential pitfalls in innovation adoption
• Support the development of operational frameworks and digital strategies
• Connect relevant stakeholders based on my international experience
• Help navigate digital transformation journeys

Having left Basel years ago because I couldn't find a tech role here, I understand the challenges many face today. I'm passionate about helping build those opportunities locally through collaboration and innovation.

Feel free to reach out to me to discuss your specific challenges.