With passion and precision, Dominique Mégret and Ecorobotix are revolutionizing global agriculture
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, CleantechAlps is launching the “15 Years – 15 Faces” initiative, highlighting individuals who actively contribute to the development of the cleantech ecosystem in Western Switzerland. The idea is to showcase entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators who, through their commitment and vision, are shaping the future of clean technologies in our country. In Yverdon-les-Bains, Dominique Mégret leads Ecorobotix, a pioneering startup in the field of precision treatments for agriculture. His journey took him from the world of investment to the operational leadership of a company he had initially supported financially.
For Dominique Mégret, ecology is not a recent concern, but a guiding thread throughout his career. His time at the helm of Swisscom Ventures—a CHF 600 million investment fund launched 20 years ago—was already aligned with core Swiss ecological values. It was through that role that he first invested in Ecorobotix, convinced that technology could address environmental issues. « “As a farmer’s son, thisallows me to come full circle,” he says..
An unexpected transition
Fate had other plans for Dominique Mégret’s involvement with Ecorobotix. After the sudden passing of the company’s CEO—who was also a friend and former professional partner— EachDominique Mégret made the unplanned decision to leave Swisscom Ventures and take the reins of the startup.
“ If Ecorobotix succeeds, I’ll be able to prove that the model combining investment, ecology, and startups works,” he explains.. “ Sometimesin life, you have to follow your instincts. Ecorobotix is the perfect blendof mypassions: ecology, technology, and the Swiss innovation ecosystem .”
Resilience: a key to cleantech success
Ecorobotix’s ability to raise significant funding stems primarily from its adaptability. “My core advice is to be resilient,” says Dominique Mégret. He recalls how the company had to pivot four years ago abandoning its initial concept of a fully autonomous robot in favor of a towed system, as requested by a client. “Without that pivot, the company would have shut down.”
This experience convinced Dominique Mégret of the importance of always seeking solutions that meet customer needs. “You should never give up until you find it—even if it takes years.”
A balance between vision and pragmatism
To attract investors—especially in the cleantech field—Dominique Mégret recommends striking a smart balance. “It’s important to have a bold vision while also delivering concrete results that show your feet are firmly on the ground.”
According to Dominique Mégret, cleantech offers a major advantage over other sectors: it makes sense as an investment. But economic impact is still essential. “Sustainability becomes a real asset for raising capital.”
Maintaining leadership
Looking ahead, Ecorobotix has clear ambitions.. “ We are the global leader in ultra-high precision spraying for crop protection. Our goal is to maintain this leadership at scale ”. Already present on threecontinents—Europe, Asia, and the Americas—the company plans to continue its international expansion. “Our objective is to significantly contribute to the ecological transition of agriculture—without compromising yields or farmers’ economic viability,” concludes Dominique Mégret.
Additional information : www.ecorobotix.com
Dominique Mégret’s favorite quote
« As for the future, it is not about predicting it but about making it possible. »
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
According to Dominique Mégret, “It’s important not to get lost in theory. Swiss cleantech can be analyzed and debated, but what truly matters is acting, because that’s how we’ll be judged. We must aim high and far, with more capital and more confidence in ourselves.”
This philosophy of action over projection is at the heart of CleantechAlps’ approach. The major challenge for Swiss cleantech, according to Dominique Mégret, is that the sector remains too comfortable—risking complacency. Through stories like that of Ecorobotix, CleantechAlps can deliver a powerful message: the ecological transition is not a distant utopia, but a process already underway driven by visionary and pragmatic entrepreneurs who are making that future a reality day by day.
Ecorobotix has found its ideal niche market
Based in Yverdon-les-Bains, Ecorobotix has become a global leader in ultra-high precision spraying for agriculture. The Vaud-based startup has developed cutting-edge technologies that significantly reduce the use of crop protection products while maintaining agricultural yields.
The company has carved out a niche that is perfectly aligned with Swiss strengths. Ecorobotix’s success lies in its ability to integrate computing, chemistry, robotics, and plant science—a multidisciplinary approach that fits perfectly with Switzerland’s know-how.
Currently focused primarily on vegetable crops, Ecorobotix’s technology is designed for global deployment. The company shows how Switzerland can excel in complex topics—thanks to multidisciplinary technological mastery, where competition is less intense.
To succeed in its development, Ecorobotix relies on Switzerland’s cleantech ecosystem. “Being integrated into an ecosystem is essential. That’s where CleantechAlps plays a crucial role—it’s vital to have an organization that understands our challenges and brings together the ecosystem, so we can learn from each other and succeed together. CleantechAlps is a unifying force,” emphasizes Dominique Mégret.
The 15-year anniversary concept
For the past 15 years, CleantechAlps has been committed to advancing its vision and connecting talents, stakeholders and solutions that drive the transition toward a more sustainable future in Western Switzerland. To mark this anniversary, we wish to highlight the individuals who bring our ecosystem to life every day — through their projects, their dedication and their vision.
“15 Years – 15 Faces” features fifteen personalities, fifteen journeys, fifteen voices that embody cleantech. From technology to policy, from research to industry, from local to international — these women and men are building, each in their own way, the cleantech solutions of today and tomorrow. Through their stories, we share with you the successes to which CleantechAlps has contributed — notably by serving as a facilitator of connections, dialogue, and collaboration. Discover their passion. Their inspiration. And their vision for a more sustainable future.
