The SME Instrument is part of EU’s research and innovation programme designed to support top-class innovators, entrepreneurs, small companies and scientists with funding opportunities and business acceleration services. For the latest round, 2111 applications were submitted for Phase 1 of the SME instrument. Out of these, 246 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 24 countries were selected. The top three countries with the majority number of startups are Spain (33), Italy (28) and Switzerland (23).
The companies will be supported in the so-called Phase 1 of the SME Instrument. Each project will receive €50.000 to draft a business plan and to conduct a feasibility study along with free coaching and business acceleration services. A total amount of €12.2 million from the EU's research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020 will be invested in the projects.
From Switzerland, the following startups received support:
Pattern BioSciences, biotech: Next generation cancer therapies targeting cancer network.
Swiss Vault Systems, cleantech: a data storage technology that requires 100 times less electricity and around 200 times less space than conventional technologies.
SwissDeCode Sàrl, medtech: Rapid DNA screening to secure the global food supply chains.
Morphotonix, ICT: Protecting consumer and industrial products against counterfeiting with unforgeable nanoscale security elements.
AgroSustain Sárl, cleantech: Extending fresh food shelf-life through novel plant-derived biofungicides for post-harvest treatments.
Biowatch SA, wearable: A secure wearable for payments, ticketing, access control and ID management.
Annaida Technologies Sarl, medtech: Increasing IVF success rate through the first magnetic resonance system for embryonic quantitative analysis at the cell scale.
DermoSafe SA, medtech: An Integral Platform for the Early Diagnosis of Skin Cancer.
ScanTrust SA, ICT: Advanced anticounterfeiting scannable codes 2 enhance trust and enforce traceability.
Gondola Medical Technologies: Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation for motor rehabilitation in people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
Dicronis Sagl, medtech: developed LYMPHIT an innovative easy-to-use and cost-efficient diagnostic microneedle patch for the early detection of Lymphedema.
BIOMA SA, biotech: biological ammonia remediation in livestock farming.
Züst Engineering AG, cleantech: Improving Resource-efficiency in Manufacturing.
minespider GmbH, blockchain: Blockchain protocol for responsible mineral sourcing.
Wingtra AG, drones: VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone for mapping and surveying, uniquely combining long range, heavy payloads and ease of use.
AEROTAIN AG, drones: Redefining Drone Safety and Autonomous Operation for Indoor Commercial Applications.
greenTEG AG, wearable: Integration of Heat flux sensor in (wrist) wearable devices for accurately and non-invasively continuous monitoring of core body temperature (CBT) for the early detection of health-related disorders.
Orbitare AG, ICT: Space made easy. A personal satellite communication system for those who just want to stay connected.
Embotech AG, ICT: Motion Planning Software for Autonomous Car Industry.
hemotune AG, biotech: Removing endotoxins during sepsis: a blood purification platform using magnetic nanoparticles.
Pregnolia AG, medtech: A simple, reliable and safe diagnostic device for preterm birth
SeerVision AG, robotics: Multi-camera autonomous robotic cameramen at the fingertips of all live video productions.
Sofies-Emac AG, Proptech: Climate Positive Drying System for Coffee Industries using a highly disruptive Pyrolysis Technology.
A full list of startups from the September cut off and from the past cut offs is available on the SME Instrument website.
Startups that are interested in learning more about the SME instrument funding scheme are invited to register for the Info event on 26 November at Technopark Zurich
(RAN)