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About our hosts:

Learn more about this episode and subscribe to our newsletter at: https://burnrate-vc.beehiiv.com/subscribe — and share it with your network!

Or get in touch with us at [email protected].

Our current podcast sponsors are:

In this episode, Max Meister and Guy Giuffredi dive into current topics including the 2025 Climate Foundation Switzerland awards for 11 climate-focused innovations, the stealthy retreat of OpenAI and Jony Ive’s iO project, and Andreessen Horowitz’s investment in the controversial “Cheat at Everything” startup Cluely.

Our main segment focuses on the return of defense technologies in Europe – and how startups in this space are suddenly seen as investable again.

We then speak with Kevin Schmid, co-founder of Bakery Bakery, about their current fundraising campaign on the Oomnium platform.

Finally, our Transaction of the Week is a deep dive into the CHF 4.2 million Series A2 round of the Swiss dental startup Odne.

Sign up to our Newsletter: https://burnrate-vc.beehiiv.com/subscribe

In this episode, Max Meister and Guy Giuffredi discuss current topics such as the W.A. de Vigier Foundation Awards being granted to six startups, Helsing’s €600 million Series D, and the acquisition of 23andMe out of bankruptcy by founder Anne Wojcicki. In our main segment, we talk about the Upscaler program with Peter Stähli—entrepreneur, investor, and Head of Entrepreneurship at the Upscaler—before answering a listener question. As our Transaction of the Week, we take a deep dive into the USD 11 million Series A extension of ETH spin-off Voliro.

In this episode, Max Meister and Guy Giuffredi discuss current topics including GlycoEra’s USD 130 million Series B led by Novo Nordisk, OpenAI’s USD 6.4 billion acquisition of LoveFrom, and OnlyFans’ reported USD 8 billion sale ambitions. Our main segment focuses on Switzerland’s ongoing startup award season. In the listener question, we explore the risks of the current illiquidity in venture capital. Finally, our "Deal of the Week" spotlights the crowdfunding campaign by Sonix on OOmnium.