Foldcast secures CHF 150K from Venture Kick and another CHF 150K from InnoBooster

The USI spin-off has successfully completed the third and final stage of Venture Kick, securing CHF 100,000 and bringing its total funding from the programme to CHF 150,000. This comes in addition to CHF 150,000 from InnoBooster received earlier this year. The combined CHF 300,000 will accelerate the company's transition from validation to market entry.

Born out of the Accademia di architettura and now incubated at the USI Startup Centre, Foldcast is rethinking how concrete building elements are manufactured. Its patented technology uses recyclable paper moulds instead of conventional wooden or metal formwork, enabling the production of structurally optimised concrete components that use less material and reduce the carbon footprint of construction.

Founded by Fabio Amicarelli, PhD candidate, and Ena Lloret Fritschi, Assistant Professor at the Accademia di architettura in Mendrisio, the startup combines years of academic research with expertise in digital fabrication, structural design, and sustainable construction.

By successfully completing Stage 3 of Venture Kick, Foldcast received CHF 100,000, following CHF 10,000 and CHF 40,000 awarded through the first two stages of the programme. This brings its total Venture Kick funding to the programme's maximum of CHF 150,000. Earlier this year, the team also received CHF 150,000 through InnoBooster, an initiative of the Gebert Rüf Stiftung that supports university founders who have reached the second stage of Venture Kick.

While the Venture Kick funding will support Foldcast’s transition from validation to market entry, the InnoBooster grant will enable the team to complete the development of Derma, a prefabricated façade system that will expand the company's product portfolio.