Powered by the Gebert Rüf Stiftung, the InnoBooster program aims to accelerate the market entry of promising university-based, high-potential business cases by providing financial support and resources. Eligible for the support are deeptech startups that have already entered the Venture Kick process and show high market potential. The latest cohort comprises startups developing therapies and healthcare solutions, as well as cleantech solutions. They received CHF 150’000 in the program.
CALDRE | Felix Alexander Baier, University of Bern
Cholestatic liver diseases pose a significant health burden and have limited efficient treatment options. Cholestasis is a result in bile flow stagnation, leading to severe liver damage. Patients often require one or more liver transplantations for survival. The Bern-based startup CALDRE is targeting the gap in the market with an innovative drug, ClagalsiR. By liver-specific targeting of a tight junction protein, ClagalsiR increases bile flow, dilutes toxic bile acids, and thus mitigates the liver damage. Early proof-of-concept studies in pre-clinical models have shown significant protection from liver necrosis and reductions in key liver injury markers. The success of this project could lead to the first-of-its-kind treatment strategy for cholestatic liver diseases, offering new hope to patients and addressing a critical need in the treatment landscape.
Scanvio Medical –| Fabian Laumer, ETH Zürich
Endometriosis affects 10% of the female population in childbearing age, and patients face a delay in diagnosis of around 10 years. This has a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life due to severe pain and reduced fertility, and is causing a large economic burden to society. Scanvio Medical is developing intelligent algorithms to replace the gold standard invasive laparoscopy with non-invasive AI-supported ultrasound for faster and more accessible diagnosis of endometriosis. Even though endometriosis is often visible in ultrasound, a comprehensive diagnosis is difficult or nearly impossible even for trained gynecologists. Scanvio’s solution will act as an informative overlay to provide guidance during the examination, thereby reducing operator dependence and enabling any gynaecologist to have expert-level skills for detecting endometriosis, significantly reducing diagnosis time and improving patient management.
Ionic Wind | Donato Rubinetti, Empa
Ionic Wind’s solid-state airflow solution uses electrostatic principles to move air, eliminates traditional fans and addresses the challenges of efficient and quiet cooling in laptops due to rapid computing power advancements. Unlike noisy, inefficient, and bulky mechanical fans, the startup’s technology provides a quieter, more energy-efficient alternative with a smaller footprint. Achieving over 48% greater air propulsion efficiency, it eliminates moving parts, noise, and energy loss. Precisely controlling airflow through applied voltage enables intelligent heat dissipation controls for superior end-user experience. Industry leaders recognize the potential of Ionic Wind to replace mechanical components in modern computing, elevating performance and setting new standards. With the InnoBooster support, Ionic Wind aims to advance this game-changing cooling technology to market-ready stages, paving the way for widespread adoption in consumer electronics and critical areas like data center servers.
Riverkin | Jessica Droujko, ETH Zürich
Climate change, population growth, and inadequate water management are worsening issues like water shortages, pollution, and biodiversity loss. These challenges disrupt ecosystems and industries, yet current strategies lack the comprehensive, real-time data needed for effective response. To address this, Riverkin developed the Water Data Ecosystem (WDE), featuring innovative Smart Sensors designed during the founder's PhD at ETH Zürich. Rooted in a Swiss university, this project combines advanced sensors with data analytics to monitor water quality and quantity across entire watersheds, providing critical insights and decision support. This scalable solution enables industries and governments to better manage water resources, reducing pollution and mitigating financial risks. With a multidisciplinary team and a successful pilot in Graubünden, Riverkin is poised to transform global water management. Support from the InnoBooster will enhance our product, accelerate deployment, and fast-track market entry.
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