The difference between a generic "maybe later" and a fast yes is picking funds that actually write the first check here, know the local grant/coach ecosystem (Innosuisse, Venture Kick, EPFL/ETHZ), and can open your first pilots.

1) How to pick the right Swiss pre-seed investors (quick and accurate)

Match your bottleneck to their superpower.

Formation & first hires: Choose true pre-seed leaders (e.g., Founderful) who are set up to lead rounds at idea/MVP with hands-on help. (Tech Funding News)
Follow-on & multi-stage: Pick platforms with reserves and a long track record (e.g., Redalpine, b2venture) so you're not re-selling the story every six months. (reuters.com)
Deep-tech / university spin-outs: Funds with science/engineering DNA or close ties to EPFL/ETH/European labs (e.g., Verve Ventures) read technical risk faster. (verve.vc)
Sector expertise (fintech, B2B SaaS, industrial): If you're vertical, pick sector-savvy Swiss funds (TX Ventures for fintech; SFF for company-building DNA; Alpana for digital/deep-tech). (openvc.app)

Validate that they're active now. Look for a 2024–2025 fund close, fresh deals, or public deployment signals (you'll see those under each investor below). If you can't find a 12-month activity signal, deprioritize.

Bring proof early. Even at pre-seed, Swiss funds want crisp problem → wedge → first revenue logic, a light regulatory map (where relevant), and clear use of proceeds to reach the next objective proof (LOIs, paid pilots, or a technical milestone).

Organize your materials in a secure data room to demonstrate professionalism and make it easy for investors to review your pitch deck and technical documentation.

How Peony Helps Swiss Startups Raise Capital

Peony provides secure data rooms for Swiss startups to organize technical documentation, track investor engagement, and demonstrate security posture with password protection and link expiry.

Organize your LOIs, pilot plans, and use-of-proceeds materials in branded data rooms that signal operational maturity. See which investors spend time reviewing your technical documentation and time follow-ups perfectly.

Try Peony for your Swiss pre-seed fundraising — purpose-built for startups raising capital.

2) The 7 pre-seed investors in Switzerland to know (2025)

Each profile gives you: who they are, stage & typical ticket, how they help, recent signal that they're active now, and how to pitch them.

1) Founderful (formerly Wingman Ventures) — Switzerland's pre-seed leader

What they are: Zurich-based, Switzerland-focused pre-seed specialist backing B2B tech with global ambition. Rebranded from Wingman; raised a dedicated Fund II for pre-seed/seed.

Stage & ticket: Typical ~$1M at pre-seed; up to ~$2M at seed. (TechCrunch)

How they help: Formation, hiring, first customers; close ties to Swiss universities and deep-tech labs. (founderful.com)

2024–2025 signal: Closed $140M Fund II and has already backed multiple Swiss pre-seed companies from it. (Tech Funding News)

Pitch tip: Lead with the beachhead customer and a 6–9 month milestone plan (what you'll de-risk with their first check).

2) Redalpine — multi-fund Swiss heavyweight, active at seed/pre-seed

What they are: Zurich-based early-stage platform with strong European reach across software, deep-tech, and bio.

Stage & ticket: Early-stage (pre-seed/seed to A); sizable reserves.

2024–2025 signal: Closed $200M Redalpine Capital VII; already made nine investments from the fund (fusion, gene editing, legal AI). (reuters.com)

Pitch tip: Tie your wedge to one of their discontinuity themes (AI, energy transition, food security) and show the next fundable proof you'll hit with 12–18 months of runway. (reuters.com)

3) b2venture (formerly btov) — pre-seed/seed with a deep angel network

What they are: Swiss-rooted European firm investing from pre-seed to Series A, often alongside a curated angel community.

Stage & ticket: €250k–€5M initial tickets; average ~€1M. (b2venture.vc)

2025 signal: Led the €4.5M pre-seed of Augmented Industries (industrial AI) this autumn. (b2venture.vc)

How they help: Matching you with operator-angels who open doors in your industry.

Pitch tip: Bring design partners or LOIs and a clear plan to recurring revenue—not just pilots.

4) Verve Ventures (formerly investiere) — deep-tech investor with pre-seed appetite

What they are: Zurich-based, Europe-wide deep-tech VC; invests through a curated platform plus an in-house team.

Stage & ticket: (Pre-)seed & A; typical €500k–€2–3M initial. (verve.vc)

2025 signal: Public portfolio updates and a steady cadence of new deep-tech deals across Europe. (verve.vc)

How they help: Technical diligence, co-investor syndication, and cross-border follow-ons.

Pitch tip: Show technical moat with early customer proof (POs, pilots) plus a credible regulatory or certification path if relevant.

5) TX Ventures — fintech-skewed early investor (Zurich)

What they are: TX Group's independent VC arm; strong bias to fintech and data/AI in financial services.

Stage & ticket: Pre-seed/seed to A; checks around $500k–$3M. (openvc.app)

2025 signal: Led multiple 2025 rounds (e.g., Particula $5.5M) and remains an active Swiss investor with new deals in the last 12 months. (fintechnews.ch)

How they help: Bank/fintech distribution and regulatory nuance; credibility for early FS partnerships.

Pitch tip: Demo the money flow (who pays, risk location, compliance posture) in under 90 seconds.

6) Swiss Founders Fund (SFF) — company-building DNA from St. Gallen

What they are: Seed/pre-seed fund that both invests and builds companies; pragmatic operators with quick execution.

Stage & ticket: Seed & pre-seed; Switzerland + select international. (sff.vc)

2025 signal: Active platform with recent investments through 2024; maintains seed focus into 2025. (CB Insights)

How they help: Company-building muscle (hiring, go-to-market, ops) and fast decisions.

Pitch tip: Bring a sharp ICP and a believable first 10 customers—you'll speak the same "operator" language.

7) Serpentine Ventures (SERV) — Swiss Startup Group's early-stage arm

What they are: FINMA-licensed venture asset manager behind several funds (including pre-seed "Rookie Fund"); strong ties to the Swiss Startup ecosystem.

Stage & ticket: Pre-seed → Series A, with checks typically in the $250k–$5M range across their vehicles. (serpentine.vc)

2025 signal: Portfolio company Voltiris ranked #4 in the 2025 TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards; SERV has backed Voltiris since pre-seed. (serpentine.vc)

How they help: Venture-client intros, Swiss co-investor access (SICTIC, BAS, angels), and thematic funds.

Pitch tip: Propose a pilot plan (site, metrics, timeline) and show how it becomes repeatable across their network.

Also worth watching as you scale: Spicehaus Partners (seed), EquityPitcher Ventures (early-growth), and corporate vehicles (Swisscom Ventures) when you're beyond pre-seed. (Spicehaus Partners AG –)

3) Five quick tips for pitching Swiss pre-seed funds (2025)

Lead with the wedge, not the world. Start with one painful, well-defined customer job in Switzerland (or DACH), 2–3 proof points (LOIs, pilots, revenue), and how the wedge expands.
Show use-of-proceeds → proof. "With CHF X, in 12 months we'll deliver Y: X pilots live, unit cost ↓Z%, regulatory box ticked." This is what unlocks seed.
Bring the distribution spine. Swiss investors reward channels over ads: venture-client pilots, system integrators, ecosystem partners (EPFL/ETHZ labs, cluster orgs), or regulated partners for fintech/health.
Cite the local non-dilutive stack. Innosuisse coaching, Venture Kick tranches, canton support—pairing these with a pre-seed round makes your runway go further and signals you know the terrain.
Be data-room ready on day one. Short deck + 1-pager KPI sheet (pipeline, LOIs, pilot design), lightweight product demo, cap table, and a tidy Notion index. It speeds partner meetings and makes you look like the pro you are. Use Peony to organize your startup data room and track investor engagement.

Final Thoughts

Swiss pre-seed fundraising in 2025 requires precision, preparation, and professional presentation. The investors listed above are actively deploying capital, but they expect founders to come prepared with clear problem-to-wedge logic, realistic use-of-proceeds plans, and evidence of early traction.

Swiss pre-seed investors evaluate not just your idea, but your ability to execute on formation, secure first customers, and navigate the local ecosystem. Organize your startup data room, track investor engagement, and demonstrate operational maturity from day one.

Get started with Peony for your Swiss pre-seed fundraising — secure data rooms built for startups raising capital.

Impress Investors

Top 7 Pre-Seed Investors in Switzerland 2025: Swiss VCs Writing First Checks for Startups