© 2021 Alain Herzog - Three EPFL startups - Sophia Genetics, Astrocast and Onward Medical - went public in 2021, the same number as in the previous three decades combined. This record-breaking year reflects the drive of our local entrepreneurs as well as the bullish stock-market environment and fertile startup ecosystem in our region. The relentless rise in stock markets since March 2020 has created an attractive window of opportunity for businesses looking to list their shares. The number of IPOs around the world rose sharply in 2021, with the total issue volume soaring to a record 453 billion dollars, up 67% from the prior year. Three EPFL startups - Sophia Genetics, Astrocast and Onward Medical - took advantage of the positive momentum to float their stock, joining the only three other EPFL-born firms to have done so: Logitech, Biocartis and Bicycle Therapeutics. The successful IPOs of this year's cohort are due in part to the favorable market climate, but even more so to years of intense R&D, fundraising and pilot testing, as well as smart strategic decisions. The energetic, ambitious management teams were able to take their businesses from inception to IPO in under ten years.
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