Focus Sectors | Verticals
Aerial & Space
The Aerial & Space sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by innovations in drones, autonomous UAVs, sustainable aviation, and next-generation space technologies. From enabling safer industrial inspections (e.g., Flyability) to building new infrastructure in orbit (e.g., Swissto12), this vertical is critical for data, logistics, and sustainability, representing a new frontier for high-growth ventures.
Switzerland, a nation renowned for precision engineering, has become a “critical launchpad” for the next generation of aerial and space technologies. The ecosystem’s strength lies in its “unique blend of talent and infrastructure”, which includes world-class academic hubs at ETH Zurich and EPFL and deep collaboration with organizations like the European Space Agency (ESA). This agile and collaborative environment propels technologies from the lab to commercial application at an accelerated pace.
This page provides an investor’s guide to the Swiss Aerial & Space ecosystem. Explore the key hubs, leading companies, and the rising stars that are defining the future of autonomy in the air and in space.
Notable Companies
Key Stats*
40+
VC-Backed startups
$513M
VC funding since 2019
$2.0B
Combined Enterprise Value
Tob Hubs in Zurich (ETH) and Lausanne (EPFL).
* All data is taken from the Swiss Deep Tech Report 2025.
Companies to watch
Drones for hazardous task.
Answer engine for earth observation data.
Complete drone software ecosystem for public safety.
Hosting platform for space payloads.
Drones for asset inspection in extreme weather conditions.
Drones monitoring for nature restoration at scale.
3rd human tissue organoids made in space.
Space operations for the future of space exploration.
Passive microwave moisture mapping with drones.
«With the launch of the European Space Deep Tech Innovation Centre in Villigen, Switzerland is proving how precision science, agile industry and open collaboration can propel space technologies from lab to orbit. This new hub is more than a facility-it’s a testbed where European autonomy meets global opportunity. At ESA, we see Switzerland’s Deep Tech strengths as a catalyst for advancing Europe’s technological sovereignty, commercial competitiveness and innovation resilience.»
Géraldine Naja
Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness
ESA
«From the ground breaking work of Auterion in Switzerland to the ambitious ventures of Isar Aerospace and constellr globally, Lakestar sees a clear trajectory for aerospace ventures in Europe. Switzerland’s unique blend of talent and infrastructure creates a fertile ground for innovation, making it a critical launchpad for the next generation of space and aerial technologies. We’re excited to be part of this journey.»
Oliver Heimes
General Partner
Lakestar
Who’s Who in Aerial & Space
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be-advanced AG
Bern
We guide entrepreneurs to success! with high end Coaching, Workshops and Business Connections
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Drone Industry Association Switzerland
Geneva
Switzerland’s leading drone association, recognized as the primary hub connecting industry stakeholders, associations, regulators, and the general public.
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ESA BIC Switzerland
Zurich
ESA BIC Switzerland, an incubator, supports Swiss start-ups using space technologies. It offers tech & business support, up to EUR 200K non-dilutive funding, a large network.
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Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa)
Lausanne
Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa) is the official investment promotion agency for Western Switzerland.
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QBIT Capital
Zurich
QBIT Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm with offices in Zurich, Villigen and Los Angeles. We invest exclusively in Switzerland.
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Trust Valley
Lausanne, Geneva
Trust Valley: Swiss Public-Private Partnership (Lake Geneva) for digital trust & cybersecurity. Unifies 400 orgs, runs programs like “Tech4Trust” & “GovTech Challenge”.
Most Active Swiss VCs in Aerial & Space*
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Swisscom Ventures
Focus on later stage
ICT
Participated in funding round of >100 mio.
Invested in Unicorn
*List established by startupticker.ch based on number of investments in a given vertical
Success Stories
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Read more: European Spinouts Report 2025: Switzerland Confirmed as Europe’s Deep Tech PowerhouseThe most critical metric in innovation is not volume but efficiency. While larger economies naturally produce higher absolute numbers of companies, the true measure of…
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Read more: Why Deep Tech Pioneers and Private Equity are a MatchThis autumn saw notable activity from private equity investors in Switzerland, including a USD 500 million exit in addition to investments. Their preference for innovative…
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Read more: Samuel Müller: FounderScandit has never advertised itself by referring to its Swiss origins. “We had a global vision from the beginning,” explains Samuel Müller, CEO and co-founder…
Aerial & Space
News
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A $16M round and key milestones strengthen Sunflower Labs’s position
Sunflower Labs, creator of the Beehive autonomous security drone system has obtained nationwide FAA approval to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) across the…
startupticker.ch
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Auterion raises $130 Million Series B
Auterion, the leading provider of autonomous systems software for defense, has raised $130 million led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Auterion’s Series B funding will be…
startupticker.ch
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London-based Hanwha Phasor tech acquisition to boost SWISSto12
SWISSto12, one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies and a leading Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of advanced satellite systems and radio frequency products, is acquiring…
startupticker.ch
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Flybotix secures close to USD 10 million to speed up global deployment
Flybotix, a global robotics company specializing in drone-based solutions for the inspection of confined-space of industrial and civilian assets, has raised close to USD 10…
startupticker.ch
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Voliro acquires sensor technology to advance aerial non-destructive testing
Voliro AG, a global leader in aerial robotics for contact-based industrial inspections, acquired the intellectual property rights of Sixpec. This strategic acquisition marks a major…
startupticker.ch
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Defense startup CDDS off to a good start
Just three months following its incorporation, Zurich-based CDDS is already making strides with its autonomous kinetic interceptor drones that detect, track and physically neutralize airborne…
startupticker.ch
FAQ on Aerial & Space
1. What are the key strengths of Switzerland’s Aerial & Space sector?
The sector’s strength is its “unique blend of talent and infrastructure”, combining precision engineering, deep robotics and AI talent from ETH Zurich and EPFL, and a supportive industrial ecosystem.
2. How does the European Space Agency (ESA) collaborate with Switzerland?
Switzerland is a key ESA
member. ESA’s Director of Commercialisation notes that Switzerland’s deep tech strengths are a “catalyst for advancing Europe’s technological sovereignty” and recently launched the European Space Deep Tech Innovation Centre in Villigen, Switzerland. Additionally, ESA has a Business Incubator Center at ETH Zurich.
3. Which are the leading Swiss drone and UAV companies?
The Swiss drone ecosystem (“Drone Valley”) is world-renowned, led by companies like Auterion (drone operating systems), Flyability (indoor inspection drones), and Wingtra (mapping drones).
4. What makes Switzerland a “critical launchpad” for space tech?
According to Lakestar, Switzerland’s “blend of talent and infrastructure creates a fertile ground for innovation”. This is proven by global leaders like Swissto12 (3D-printed satellite components) and ClearSpace (in-orbit debris removal).
5. What investment opportunities are emerging in Swiss sustainable aviation?
Beyond drones, Switzerland is a hub for sustainable aviation. Key companies include H55 (electric propulsion), founded by the pioneers of Solar Impulse, and Metafuels (sustainable aviation fuel).
