redalpine vs Venture Kick

Swiss VC Redalpine Raises $250 Million for A.I., Robotics and Biotech

Zurich-based venture capital firm Redalpine has closed its eighth early-stage fund, Redalpine Capital VIII (RAC VIII), at $250 million (approximately €225 million), its largest early-stage fund to date. The fund was oversubscribed, attracting both returning and new investors, including Aviva Investors, Flexstone Partners, and German development bank KfW. RAC VIII is 25% larger than its predecessor, which closed at $200 million in 2024, and will invest in 15-20 European startups at seed to Series A stages, with ticket sizes ranging from $1-15 million. Focus areas include AI, robotics, and biotech, with an emphasis on AI for drug discovery. Initial investments include Enact Intelligence, Helical, and Arlequin AI. Redalpine now manages over $1.4 billion in assets and has backed companies such as Mistral, N26, and Proxima Fusion. Managing Partner Sebastian Becker highlighted AI's potential to empower European founders, signaling a return of confidence in the region's ecosystem.

• Redalpine closed its eighth early-stage fund, RAC VIII, at $250 million (≈ €225 million), its largest to date.
• The fund was oversubscribed and is 25% larger than its predecessor, which raised $200 million in 2024.
• RAC VIII will invest in 15-20 European startups at seed to Series A, with checks of $1-15 million, focusing on AI, robotics, and biotech.

Calliora raises $6M for AI hospital billing accuracy

Munich-based startup calliora has raised $6 million (approx. €5.1 million) in a pre-seed round led by Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments (BHI) and Swiss VC redalpine. The company's AI platform helps hospitals find billing errors before invoices are sent to health insurers. This comes as German hospitals face stricter audit quotas from 2027 under the GKV contribution rate stabilization law, where high error rates could lead to 100% of invoices being audited. The platform integrates with existing hospital systems, covering coding, case review, MD audit management, and controlling. According to calliora, the platform is already in regular operation in hospitals across five German states, reducing per-case workload by over half and closing more than 90% of identified gaps before billing. The funds will be used to grow the AI, engineering, and product teams. The startup was founded in 2023 by Frederik Träuble and Jonas Wildberger.

• calliora raised $6 million (€5.1 million) in a pre-seed round led by Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments and redalpine.
• The startup's AI platform detects billing errors in hospitals before invoices are sent to insurers.
• From 2027, German hospitals face higher audit quotas up to 100% under the GKV contribution rate stabilization law.

A market that punishes narrative and rewards fundamentals: our current market view

Redalpine published a new market view article on September 29, 2026, discussing the current market dynamics.

Venture Kick invests CHF 150K in Apolarion's plasma seed treatment

Swiss cleantech startup Apolarion, a spin-off from EPFL, has received CHF 150,000 (€164,000) from Venture Kick to advance its chemical-free seed treatment technology. The company, founded by Jesus Poley and Luke Simons, is developing a modular device that uses cold atmospheric plasma to eliminate harmful microorganisms from seeds without chemical treatments. This method uses only air and electricity to generate reactive particles that neutralize pathogens while preserving seed germination. The funding will support first field trials and initial customer deployments, covering operational facilities, equipment, and personnel. Apolarion initially targets Swiss and European markets, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical and heat-based treatments for seed treatment companies.

• Apolarion received CHF 150,000 (€164,000) from Venture Kick.
• Apolarion is a spin-off from EPFL.
• The funding will support field trials and initial customer deployments.

Prismus Raises €163K From Venture Kick for AI Platform Lupa

Swiss deeptech startup Prismus has secured CHF 150,000 (€163,000) from Venture Kick to advance Lupa, its AI-powered platform that connects scientific research with industrial opportunities. Lupa transforms complex information from research, patents, and market activity into actionable insights, helping companies make strategic decisions about emerging markets, partnerships, research directions, and commercial opportunities. With AI agents analyzing connected sources, Lupa identifies and ranks relevant markets, companies, researchers, and potential partners based on technological fit. The startup has already acquired its first thirty paying customers. The funding will support scaling in deep tech markets and onboarding individual users. The team includes CEO Elisabeth Blyumin, CTO Timen van Gelderen, Chief AI Officer Gonçalo Hora de Carvalho, and Chief Revenue Officer Peter Kempin.

• Prismus raised €163,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick
• Funding will advance Lupa, an AI-powered scientific research platform
• Prismus has secured its first thirty paying customers

Venture Kick invests CHF 150K in CHD for pregnancy monitoring

Swiss medtech startup CHD (Connected Health Development) has received approximately €160,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to develop its digital solutions for remote maternal and fetal monitoring. The funding will support the development, testing, and validation of CHD's MONI2 solution, a smart textile belt that collects maternal and fetal ECG data, uterine contractions, fetal movements, and fetal position. CHD aims to improve access to maternal healthcare, enable earlier detection of complications, and reduce hospital visits for high-risk pregnancies. The company plans to launch consumer and medical versions of MONI2, targeting sales of over 30,000 kits and subscriptions within four years. CEO Laurent Vandebrouck stated that the Venture Kick support is part of CHD's initial seed fundraising, with other investors and a foundation committing or considering funding, aiming to close the round by October.

• CHD receives CHF 150,000 (approx. €160,000) from Venture Kick.
• CHD develops MONI2, a smart textile belt for remote maternal and fetal monitoring.
• MONI2 collects maternal and fetal ECG, uterine contractions, fetal movements, and position.