SENNA

Swiss-Italian Startup Award Spotlights Innovation Ecosystem

Milan, November 26, 2025 - The second edition of the Swiss Italian Startup Award celebrated the vibrant innovation ecosystem that bridges Italy and Switzerland, with over 350 entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders in attendance.

The event, organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Switzerland, shone a light on Italian startups and founders, providing a direct connection to the Swiss market. More than 150 Italian startups or those with Italian founders applied for the prestigious awards, underscoring the growing appeal of the Swiss-Italian innovation corridor.

A panel of expert judges, comprising angel investors, venture capitalists and Swiss business leaders, selected eight finalists to pitch their solutions to the audience. Ultimately, four startups emerged as winners, recognized for their transformative technologies and strong growth potential.

Cria Technologies took home the Public Choice Award as well as the Lenz & Staehelin Award. "Winning this recognition is a testament to the hard work and innovative spirit of our team," said CEO Luca Rossi. "It will open new doors as we scale our business across the Swiss market."

The Allianz Award and Jury Award were awarded to Hero Support, a startup providing AI-powered customer service solutions. "Switzerland's reputation for innovation and excellence in financial services makes it a strategic market for us," noted co-founder Giulia Martini.

Valueize, a data analytics platform for the private equity industry, received the Fongit Award. "This award validates our vision to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the PE ecosystem," said CEO Marco Bianchi. "We're excited to leverage the Swiss ecosystem's expertise as we expand our footprint."

The event underscores Switzerland's growing appeal as a hub for Italian innovation. "The Swiss-Italian Startup Award highlights the immense potential of collaboration between our two countries," said Claudia Bertoletti, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Switzerland. "We're proud to facilitate these connections and support the next generation of tech leaders."

As Italian startups increasingly look beyond their domestic market, the Swiss-Italian corridor offers an attractive gateway to scale. With its stable regulatory environment, access to capital, and world-class talent pool, Switzerland has emerged as a premier destination for innovative Italian companies seeking to expand their horizons.