Swiss Fintech Funding Trends in 2025: A Decline Compared to Previous Years

In 2025, the Swiss fintech landscape experienced a notable decline in funding, with total investments amounting to CHF 236.4 million across 30 transactions. This figure represents a mere 8% of overall venture capital funding in Switzerland, according to the annual report on Swiss venture capital (VC) by Startupticker.ch, in partnership with the Swiss Private Equity and Corporate Finance Association (SECA) and Startup.ch. The fintech sector fell to fifth place in funding volume and sixth in the number of deals, contrasting sharply with its previous dominance in 2021 and 2022.

Comparison to Previous Years

The downturn in fintech funding is stark when compared to the flourishing years of 2021 and 2022. In 2021 alone, Swiss fintech companies raised a remarkable CHF 857 million, making up 28% of the total CHF 3 billion invested in Swiss startups that year. This decline emphasizes a shifting focus among investors, who are gravitating towards sectors like biotechnology, clean technology, and information and communications technology (ICT).

Key Transactions in 2025

Despite the overall decline, two fintech deals managed to enter the top 20 funding rounds for 2025. Wefox successfully raised CHF 70.88 million to strengthen its market position in Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, Sygnum Bank, a regulated digital asset banking group, secured CHF 52.93 million to expand its operations into the European Union (EU) and Hong Kong, focusing on Bitcoin technology and strategic acquisitions.

Resurgence of ICT and Biotechnology Funding

While fintech struggled, the ICT sector rebounded strongly in 2025. Funding for ICT companies surged by 150% year-on-year, increasing from CHF 315.9 million in 2024 to CHF 773.6 million, capturing 26.24% of total venture capital funding. Additionally, the biotechnology sector achieved record funding of CHF 946.4 million, a 25% increase from its previous high in 2020, securing a 32.1% share of total VC funding and confirming its position as one of the leading industries in Switzerland.

Renewed Investment Appetite in Switzerland

Overall, venture capital funding activity in Switzerland increased by 23.9% in 2025, totaling CHF 2,948 million. This growth signals a recovery from the financial downturn experienced in the prior two years, driven by increased seed funding, which rose to CHF 1.116 billion (up 73% year-on-year). A survey of around 112 national investors revealed renewed optimism, with many planning to invest more aggressively in the coming years.

Future Outlook for Investors

With 66% of fund managers planning to launch new funds in 2026, a significant increase from just 40% in 2025, the future of investment in Switzerland appears promising. This could herald at least 43 new fundraising campaigns throughout the year, indicating a return of risk appetite among investors and a commitment to fostering innovation in various sectors.

Global Contrasts in Fintech Investment

While Switzerland saw a downturn in fintech investments, the global scene painted a different picture. In 2025, fintech companies worldwide generated a robust US$52.7 billion, accounting for 11% of global venture capital funding—an increase of 35.5% from 2024’s figures. The payments sector alone captured 23.33% of this funding, highlighting a strong ongoing demand for fintech solutions on a global scale.

As Switzerland’s fintech sector navigates these changes, investors and companies alike will need to adapt to the evolving landscape, focusing on sectors with greater investment potential while continuing to innovate within fintech itself.