With over 6,000 employees and more than CHF 400 billion in client assets under management, Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) is the second largest bank in Switzerland. ZKB was awarded the top credit rating (AAA/Aaa) by the rating agencies Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch, making it one of the safest banks in the world. With a market penetration rate of more than 50%, ZKB is a leader in private and corporate banking in the Canton of Zurich and is the second largest fund provider in Switzerland.
As a systemically important universal bank, ZKB operates both nationally and internationally and offers its clients a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The bank’s core activities include the financing business, asset management, trading and capital markets as well as deposit, payment transactions and card business. In addition, ZKB offers its clients and distribution partners a comprehensive range of products and services related to investing and retirement planning.
Based on its service mandate, ZKB pursues the goal of striking a balance between its economic activity and its efforts to preserve the environment and support society.It has supported over 260 start-ups by providing more than CHF 220 million in risk capital since 2005, making it one of the largest and most active start-up investors in Switzerland. In addition, the bank provides more than CHF 22 million in financial support to more than 400 institutions, associations and initiatives every year.
Part of the EIB Group, the mission of the European Investment Fund (EIF) is to improve access to finance for SMEs and small mid-caps in Europe. We do this by supporting emerging and established fund managers with equity investments and by designing debt financing instruments that share the risk taken by financial institutions when they lend to or invest in small businesses. We bring this support closer to entrepreneurs through our extensive network of partners and financial intermediaries in all EU Member States and associated countries.
Founders Fund is a venture capital firm investing in smart people solving difficult problems. The firm invests across all stages, sectors and geographies. Its partners have founded and funded companies including PayPal, Palantir, SpaceX, Anduril, Flexport, Airbnb and Stripe.