Innosuisse, the Swiss innovation agency, took over the tasks of the former Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) on 1 January 2018. As part of the reorganization, the coaching process was restructured. The new Innosuisse certificate is the successor to the CTI start-up label. The certificate is awarded by the Innosuisse Innovation Council. It certifies that the company is ready to grow sustainably.
In 2018, Innosuisse awarded seven companies the certificate. With the completion of the reorganization of Innosuisse, the number of start-ups receiving the certificate will increase significantly in 2019.
The seven companies that Innosuisse has awarded
Dividat AG (Healthcare IT) – Schindellegi
Dividat is a spin-off company of ETH Zurich and develops tried-and-tested training concepts to improve the mobility of older people in prevention and rehabilitation. Products include a step-based training platform, scientific computer-based strength training equipment for all ages and abilities, and a video-camera-based training system with play and virtual reality elements that promotes physical activity. Customers of the start-up are physiotherapists, fitness centers for older adults and care facilities that operate fall prevention training centers.
Hylomorph AG (Medtech) – Zurich
The medical technology startup specializes in the coating of implants. Hylomorph addresses the problem of fibrous encapsulation, the body’s reaction to implanted impurities, encapsulating it in a dense layer of fibrotic connective tissue. Hylomorph’s biomaterial interacts with the sensor mechanism of cells to provide a healthy interaction between the device and tissue. Completing a Series A round in August will enable Hylomorph to complete product development, conduct clinical trials, and receive FDA and CE Mark approval.
Inositec AG (Biotech) – Zurich
The accumulation of calcium and phosphate in the blood can lead to mineral deposits, especially in the vascular system, because control over components in the blood is lost, which regulate the mineral balance in the body. ETH Zurich Spinoff is developing life-saving low molecular weight drugs based on its Inositune platform of inositol phosphate (IP6) analogue, a natural catalyst of various cell functions to combat vascular calcification. One of the startup’s recent accomplishments was the completion of preclinical studies with its INS-3001, a novel inhibitor of vascular calcification for patients with chronic kidney disease. This milestone paved the way for the 2019 first-in-human studies.
Irsweep AG (Microtechnology) – Staefa
The spin-off of ETH Zurich offers state-of-the-art optical sensor solutions based on semiconductor quantum cascade lasers (QCL) in the mid-infrared spectral range. The microsecond time resolution in combination with high spectral bandwidth and high spectral resolution offers a multitude of new possibilities in molecular analysis. Many biological and chemical processes occur within microseconds, and so far spectrometers have simply been too slow to measure these events. Irsweep brings light to the dark and will play an important role in developing treatments for certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Two Irsweep products are already on the market.
Onevisage SA (ICT) – Lausanne
Onevisage is committed to strengthening cybersecurity with its novel biometrics solutions. The startup is developing unique 3D facial biometrics and 3D graphical authentication software solutions that enable major financial services providers and cybersecurity integrators to dramatically reduce cyber threats or identity theft. Onevisage’s technology provides a higher level of security than current pin-code authentication techniques. It could serve more than 3 billion mobile device users at the cost of a simple password-based product without having to remember or enter a security password or PIN code.
Pregnolia AG (Medtech) – Zurich
Founded as a spin-off of ETH Zurich, Pregnolia developed an innovative system for assessing the stiffness of the cervix in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Traditionally, gynecologists and midwives use their sense of touch and their ultrasound to examine the cervix. With the Pregnolia device, gynecologists can now measure tissue stiffness quickly, painlessly, and with greater accuracy. The device consists of a measuring pin and a small console with display and measures the stiffness by gentle negative pressure. The solution can be used in routine pregnancy screening of clients to monitor cervical changes to help prevent premature birth.
Ticketfrog AG (ICT) – Olten
Now named Eventfrog, the startup is a free ticketing platform for event organizers that offers a do-it-yourself approach to enable event organizers to sell tickets online for free, to promote the events regionally and nationally and generate additional sales at the event with incentives to buy. More than 20’000 events are active on the platform, making it one of the largest event calendars in German-speaking Switzerland. The start-up has completed a third round of financing this year to continue its international expansion plans.