SnapCheck, a Swiss startup from St. Gallen founded in 2025, won over three investors in the first episode of the 8th season of "Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz". Its health insurance comparison platform was looking to raise CHF 300,000. According to Startupticker.ch, however, the deal struck in front of the cameras fell through after the show. The startup found other investors, including former national team goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

What happened in front of the investors

Founders Cédric Escher and Thomas Stehle were asking for CHF 300,000 in exchange for 5% of the equity, Startupticker.ch reported on 6 November 2026. Three of the show's investors, Roland Brack, Tom Zimmermann and Jürg Schwarzenbach, made a joint offer. They put forward the same amount, but in exchange for 21% of the shares.

The founders accepted on air. Afterwards, talks with the three investors and their investment teams broke down. Thomas Stehle told Startupticker.ch that the views were "too different" to carry out the investment in that form. The disagreement centred mainly on how demand was assessed at the time.

Thomas Stehle now says that the scepticism about user acquisition "has not been borne out". In his view, interest far exceeds the team's expectations. No user figures accompany this statement.

A deal on air is not a funding round

The SnapCheck case shows the gap between a televised handshake and a signed funding round. On air, the parties agree on an amount and a share of the equity. Due diligence and the negotiation of the documents come afterwards, with the investors' teams. It was at this stage that SnapCheck's deal came apart.

The two offers implied very different valuations. By 2clics' calculation, CHF 300,000 for 5% values SnapCheck at CHF 6 million post-money. The same CHF 300,000 for 21% brings that value down to around 1.4 million. To understand these concepts, our guide to the pre-money valuation of a startup explains the calculation.

These terms often appear in no press release. The clauses of a startup term sheet generally remain confidential. For the steps of a financing round away from television, see our feature on raising funds for a Swiss startup and our guide to seed and Series A funding rounds.

The same episode provides a second example. Zurich startup MISS LIQUID chose the offer from Philippe Sahli and Lars Mangelsdorf. Its founder, Lauren Wildbolz, told Startupticker.ch that negotiations are not yet complete.

SnapCheck's model: upload your policy

SnapCheck works from the policyholder's existing policy. Users upload it and then receive offers from several health insurers for supplementary insurance, according to Startupticker.ch. The platform puts the offers side by side to show the possible savings.

Policyholders can get help from artificial intelligence or from an adviser. They can then switch insurer directly on the platform. SnapCheck's website displays the labels "FINMA registered" and "FADP compliant", referring to the Federal Act on Data Protection. It presents Yann Sommer as "investor & partner".

The startup is already eyeing other products. Thomas Stehle mentions an expansion into insurance in general, for example motor vehicle insurance. No timetable has been announced.

A health insurance comparison platform as 2027 premiums arrive

The timing works in SnapCheck's favour. On 29 September 2026, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced an average monthly premium of CHF 412 in 2027. That is CHF 19.70 more than in 2026, an increase of 5.0%. SnapCheck's homepage uses this figure to invite visitors to check their "savings potential".

Average monthly premium 2027AmountIncrease
All categoriesCHF 412+CHF 19.70 (5.0%)
AdultsCHF 487.60+CHF 22.80 (4.9%)
Young adultsCHF 338.80+CHF 15.40 (4.8%)
ChildrenCHF 128.10+CHF 5.70 (4.6%)

Source: FOPH press release of 29 September 2026.

These premiums concern basic insurance. According to the FOPH, policyholders can switch basic insurance provider or model until the end of November. In basic insurance, insurers must accept anyone, the office points out. The SnapCheck offering described by Startupticker.ch, for its part, concerns supplementary insurance.

A private comparison platform does not start from scratch. The Confederation operates priminfo.ch, which according to the FOPH displays "all premiums and discounts from all health insurers" for basic insurance. A service like SnapCheck must therefore stand out through reading the policy, advice and switching online.

What we don't know yet

  • The amount invested by Yann Sommer and the other investors: neither Startupticker.ch nor SnapCheck's website discloses it, nor the share of equity sold.
  • The number of users of the platform: SnapCheck speaks of interest exceeding expectations, without giving figures.

Sources

To follow other rounds, see the startup funding rounds section.