Switzerland is well known for its innovation strength: a thriving startup ecosystem and a high concentration of entrepreneurial talent. But for years, investing in Switzerland required building a network face-to-face on the ground, by joining local Angel syndicates. Investment was effectively limited to investors who lived within a stone’s throw of the startup, within Switzerland itself. That’s all about to change. 

Already established as a leading early-stage investment platform in markets like Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, Leapfunder is now bringing its proven model to Switzerland. Leapfunder has developed a modern, standardised platform for angel investing under Swiss law. In its current markets, Leapfunder has supported well over 200 companies over the years. Its growing investor network contains in excess of 1,500 active investors, from everywhere in Europe and globally. 

Via Leapfunder, there was always a steady stream of capital coming from Swiss investors into startups elsewhere in Europe. Now investors can also invest in Switzerland, benefiting from the convenience of investing online, through the tried and true Leapfunder investment structures.

Investing Online in Switzerland

With Leapfunder, everything is online. The online data room gives complete information to all investors, including the startups’ analysis of exceptional risks and details about the cap table and the business plan. The investor can seek direct contact with the startup via the Leapfunder platform. Nothing rules out a face-to-face meeting or a call, but eventually signing and cash transfer are back on the internet, making sure that there is almost no friction.

Leapfunder offers a robust solution for investor pooling that will work for Swiss startups. The legal form of the pool means that smaller shareholders appear as a single shareholder on the cap table of the startup. That means the startup can sensibly admit investors for as little as EUR 5,000, which builds its ability to connect to rare expertise. The investors in the investor pool will use joint decision-making to ensure that they can use their pooled collective voting power optimally, and their interests are represented. The vehicle is tax-transparent, has almost no maintenance cost for the startup or investors, and has been in real-world use for decades. Check out our blog to find out more. 

The Leapfunder system gives the opportunity to invest through priced equity as well as convertible equity. The startup can configure its investment proposition exactly according to requirements. Differentiation is even possible amongst investors inside a round, depending on how early they invest, or how large their tickets are. All investors have to get an equal offer and equivalent treatment, but some investors may be able to benefit if they are willing to invest before the round is filled, for example.

This approach is still rare in Switzerland. While Swiss investors have actively used platforms abroad to access structured deals, the options within Switzerland have so far been limited.

Why Swiss Startups Can Benefit From International Investors

Whenever a Swiss startup has a proposition that would benefit from international growth, international Angel investors have a role to play. Before moving to a new country, it is beneficial to gain support from local investors who know what works and what probably doesn’t. Every Angel should be expected to bring expertise, as well as capital. By opening a startup to all the Angels on the international market, the range of available expertise increases spectacularly. That could be a critical enabler for startups that need international presence to succeed.

Strengthening Switzerland’s Startup Ecosystem

As more Swiss founders and investors adopt modern, standardised approaches to early-stage funding, the market is becoming more inclusive, transparent, and dynamic. Leapfunder is playing a central role in this shift.

For founders raising their first round, and for Swiss angels looking to back the next generation of innovative companies, Leapfunder offers something Switzerland has been missing: a proven, state-of-the-art platform built to meet a real local need.

Leapfunder is not simply entering the Swiss market. It is aiming to add a key component to the future of angel investment in Switzerland.

Join our network of startups & investors!