The Start up Factory
Fongit Seed Invest
Fongit Seed Invest (FSI) is a seed investment fund that primarily invests in ventures having a potential market above CHF 100 million, and with projected revenue higher than CHF 5 million per year, within 5 years. FSI acts either as a lead investor or co-investors and has strong connections with venture capitalists, business angels, and institutional funds (PPP). FSI is known throughout the network of universities, Venture Capitalists, Business Angels and specialised organisations (private & public). Fongit is the major shareholder and primary partner and FSI’s funding members are: the CIA Pension Fund of the Geneva Canton (Caisse de Prévoyance CIA) and Rolex Pension Fund (Caisse de Pensions Paritaire Rolex) are other contributors.
Tegona
Tegona is a forward-thinking software house that is specialised in IT security and critical software development. Its customer’s base counts large corporations and governments based in Europe and in emerging countries.Its forte is in the information security field, particularly in identification and authentication and develops secure applications software for smartcard systems, NFC devices and the Internet of things. Tegona offers complete, modular and bespoke solutions, and leverages close cooperation with market's renowned stakeholders, mainly in ID, health and payment markets. Its partnership with local integrators and partners enable Tegona to tailor its solutions perfectly to its customers’ needs.
CTI Start up
The Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) is mandated by the Swiss Confederation to support high tech projects and sustainable new business ventures by providing training, coaching and access to investors. This strategic mission fosters growth, creation of jobs and global competitiveness to assure Switzerland’s future economic wealth. CTI Start-up supports entrepreneurs with a tailored hands-on coaching process in four phases lasting 6 to 24 month’s. A dedicated coach is instrumental in bringing the start-up to the CTI Start-up Label, which represents quality, sustainability and credibility for investors, and favours successful market entry. The coaching support being free of charge all what start-ups need to invest is time and effort. CTI Start-up leverages the networks of its over 60 business coaches in all relevant areas for start-ups (e.g. strategy, operations, business, law, finance). CTI Start-up values its partnership with Fongit whose coaches are part of CTI Start-up expert’s network. Fongit acts as partner for CTI Start-up in the Geneva region.
BioXpress Therapeutics
Located in Geneva, Switzerland, BioXpress Therapeutics SA (BXT) is a premier provider of high-quality biosimilar monoclonal antibody (MAbs) for unmet need indications. As a class, MAbs are forecasted to grow at a CAGR approaching 10% over the next five years, driven largely by positive results in the clinic. Cancers and immune-related inflammatory diseases will continue to be leading markets for MAbs during the next five-years.BXT is focused on developing the highest quality product under strict European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines. We bring together the world’s top biologic development, manufacturing and regulatory experts dedicated to assuring the quality of our drugs. BXT believes all patients should have access to safe and high-quality biologic therapeutics at affordable costs.
venture kick
Venture kick is a great opportunity to raise the seed money necessary to turn an idea into a company. We kick start-up by providing seed capital to innovative entrepreneurs from universities and universities of applied sciences. The program is open to individuals with a business idea who are currently enrolled in a Swiss academic institution – students, PhD students, post-doc, senior scientists, professor, and so forth – in any scientific field, and who wish to start their company in Switzerland. Applicants must not have already received any venture capital. Projects are evaluated by a panel of experts and investors based on the business potential demonstrated and the achievements made in business development. With more than CHF 7.5 million in start capital, over 200 start-up projects financed, over CHF 200 million in financing volumes and more than 1700 jobs created since fall 2007, this program supported by private foundations has a convincing track-record.
Dextens
Dextens develops, produces and commercializes measurement instruments for the beverage, semiconductor, steam power, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Our instruments determine oxygen, ozone, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and nitrogen levels in both liquid and gaseous mediums and are ideal for high precision measurement in harsh conditions. The full development and optimization of products is carried out internally and the production is outsourced to Swiss manufacturers. Thus far, we have a set up a solid distribution network in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia, and looks at expanding and strengthening its presence worldwide. Our revenue streams come by replacing installed products from competitors and by entering into market segments with new applications.
venturelab
Do you have a business idea for the high-tech industry? And would you like to put your idea to the test? Venturelab offers custom-tailored training modules that will help you start your own company. Financed by the Commission for Technology and Innovation CTI, venturelab offers individual training modules specifically designed for start-ups. Its mission is to offer individuals like you, who are interested by entrepreneurship, the know-how and contacts required to successfully start their own company. Priority is given to start-ups in high-tech fields such as computer science, life sciences and bio- or nanotechnologies. Courses offered by venturelab are free of charge for anyone demonstrating an innovative business idea. Venturelab training modules place particular emphasis on the project and on practice. The courses are free of charge but admission is selective: successful applicants must have an innovative business idea and demonstrate the will to carry out their project from start to finish.
Leman Medical
Leman Medical Technologies SA was established in 2009 and has the CE Mark for the FloWatch Pulmonary Artery Band. The implantable device is currently used in infants with curtain complex congenital heart defects suitable for conventional pulmonary artery banding.The FloWatch-PAB uses patented wireless technology to send instructions, receive feedback and adjust the implanted device, therefore the implanted device does not contain a battery, all power coming from the signal.We are actively investigating other indications for the FloWatch-PAB, and the development of the technology for current and other medical uses. This will be with in-house resources and in partnership with others
CleantechAlps
CleantechAlps is the gateway to clean technology in western Switzerland that was instigated by the cantons of Berne, Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Jura, and that is supported by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. CleantechAlps fosters inter-cantonal activities promoting the development of Cleantech, at large, and oversees “CleanTech Switzerland”, the national platform that supports the export activities of SMEs within the cleantech sector, for western Switzerland. CleantechAlps assists research organisations, start-ups and SMEs to gain access and exposure to relevant networks with emphasis on: photovoltaic energy, small-scale hydraulic energy, eco-mobility, enabling technologies, waste recovery, water, smart grids, industrial ecology and the construction sector. The chairmanship of CleantechAlps is shared by the cantons of Fribourg and Valais and its operational secretariat is at CimArk SA at Sion. Similar strategic and political initiatives produced three clusters: BioAlps, AlpICT and Micronarc.
Viroblock
Viroblock aims to launch a break through anti-viral face mask by mid 2012. Current face-masks (surgical, FFP2, N95) provide limited protection to wearers against respiratory viruses (H1N1,H5N1, SARS, RSV, etc) as they fail to filter out or kill these viruses. The new Viroblock mask uses a patented coating to kill all such viruses on pass through air thereby protecting the wearer and reducing infection.Targeted first at professionals who have a risk of viral infections (e.g., dentists, A&E staff, first responders). Viroblock technology has been shown to kill all enveloped viruses tested, including H1N1, H5N1, SARS, HIV and HSV. No resistance has been seen nor is expected as Viroblock technology targets a non-coded part of these viruses. Viroblock’s technology can be used in other products (e.g. nasal spray, vaginal gel).
Anteis
Anteis SA is a Swiss company that is one of the worldwide actors specialized in the development, manufacturing and distribution of innovative injectable medical devices based on biopolymer transformation. It provides revolutionary solutions to challenges in the fields of aesthetic dermatology, ophthalmology and orthopaedics. Its innovations include the development of a range of biopolymer-based injectable gels and the launch, in 2009-2010, of an easy-to-use injection system for gel-based products that is set to become an industry standard. Swiss manufacturing standards guarantee world-class products and the science-based approach of its small team of entrepreneurial owner-managers ensures a strong focus on rigorous testing and analysis.
Eldorajob
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who are searching for talents and those who have got talents. Then, Eldorajob is the place for all of them. No more fastidious job description writing, no more hundreds of CV to sort and no more "casting error" feeling when meeting a candidate. With Eldorajob, recruiters can only see – and be seen by – candidates who match with their jobs requirements. Eldorajob provides all job market stakeholders with a new, smart and efficient way to get in contact.
InZair
As the new and interactive mobile messaging platform, inZair allows anyone with a smartphone to freely send and receive ZMS, known as smart multimedia messages, using the benefit of geolocalisation and time. Based on strong geolocalisation integration and full respect of consumer privacy. ZMS can be used by consumers, as well as business and brands allowing them to enrich their engagement with their audience in a very effective and targeted way. ZMS is currently available on the App store and will soon be available on the Android platform. inZair was awarded at LIFT 2012 the AlpICT Innovation Award for ZMS, its stunning space-time travel application. InZair was finalist at LeWeb 2011.
H3oC
H3oC provides strategic, operational and organizational consultancy services for SME’s, private, public and governmental agencies. Its forte is the orchestration and management of multi-stakeholder, and multidisciplinary management of complex high-tech projects. H3oC is employs innovative design methodology (CK) to fully exploit and optimize its clients’ innovation cycles, technologies and products, from operational, strategic and business perspectives. To complement this service, H3oC assists its customers to remodel its workforce to better address new business challenges, by assessing corporate training needs and building on group dynamics and organizational behaviors. H3oC is mainly involved in the Cleantech Industry, sustainable development and Innovation, at large. Public, private and supranational organizations compose its customer base.
Selexis
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Selexis SA is a global life science company with technologies for drug discovery, cell line development and scale-up to manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. The Company is dedicated to the development of innovative technologies and world-class expert services that significantly reduce the time, effort, and costs associated with developing high-performance mammalian cell lines for therapeutic protein production (e.g. monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, enzymes). The Company's SUREtechnology Platform™ offers comprehensive and rapid solutions for the development of stable and high yield mammalian cell lines. For over 10 years, Selexis has built interactive collaborations, partnerships and commercial deals with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. From discovery to Phase II clinical trials, Selexis’ technology has been and is currently being used by more than 50 companies worldwide.
Powersens
Powersens is a start up developing and selling smart electronic shoe-insoles for the medical market. The insoles placed inside the shoe, monitors and records foot plantar pressure and body movement throughout the day. They help users for interactive walking/sport rehabilitation and can diagnostic orthopaedic complications such as diabetic foot ulcers. This high potential medical device will improve lifetime and health conditions of millions of people.
Medicontur
Medicontur develops, manufactures and promotes intraocular implants which meet patients and surgeons' expectations. Twenty years of continuous growth, coupled with an exemplary proven safety record, has meant that distributors in many countries worldwide now rely on Medicontur's commitment to quality.Medicontur offers a full range of Aspheric Hydrophilic/ Aspheric Hydrophobic IOL’s for MICS and MINI incisions, also available with a Natural yellow filter as well as Toric IOL’s, CTR's and disposable injection kits.
Augurix
Augurix product allows the screening, diagnosing and monitoring of Celiac Disease (intolerance to gluten), one of the most under-diagnosed medical conditions worldwide.Its proprietary diagnostic platform, Simtomax®Blood Drop, enables seamless and rapid screening at the point of care, from whole blood, serum, plasma in about 10 minutes. Using a small drop of blood, Simtomax® Blood Drop delivers lab-accurate results for: (i) Immunoglobulin-A (IgA), (ii) Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) and (iii) Total IgA level. Simtomax, CE compliant Augurix' first product-line received the 2010 Frost&Sullivan Product Differentiation Excellence Award in Point of Care Testing.Augurix is a family-driven business. Its family's personal experience of living with Celiac Disease is a constant reminder that drives its motivation.
SalsaDev
salsaDev SA is a software company specialized in advanced, intelligent technologies capable to understand complex, unstructured sources of text. Designed for the enterprise market, the software can automatically organize and find documents, saving considerable time and efforts for organizations and its employees.The main features of salsaDev software are designed specifically to ease the strain on information workers by providing Semantic Search, Automatic Categorization and Conceptually Related Content. Traditional systems use full text indexing and work with structured information such as tags, categories and metadata. These approaches, when faced with the unstructured raw data typically seen in enterprise scenarios, rapidly become inapplicable.
MaNEP
The NCCR MaNEP – Materials with Novel Electronic Properties – is at the forefront of research concerning new magnetic materials, ferroelectrics and superconductors displaying new electronic properties. All these materials have an important potential for applications in a wide range of domains including power systems, information technology, production systems, sensors, actuators and nanotechnology in general. The scientists and engineers form the NCCR MaNEP are active in fundamental research to gather a better understanding of these new materials. At the same time, applied research is performed to prepare the way towards applications. A network of academic and industrial partners is involved in this task.
PHASIS
PHASIS is a Swiss company specialized in the development and production of metallic and ferroelectric thin films and coatings. PHASIS provides supplies for scientific research, in particular microscopy substrates for the nanoscale science. Its activities are concentrated on the production and distribution of gold substrates, epitaxial gold thin films and epitaxial PZT thin films for both academic and industrial research, and practical applications. PHASIS is a spin-off company of the University of Geneva, which is a renowned academic research institution in the fields of thin film technology, and ferroelectric and superconducting materials. The University of Geneva is also the home institution of MaNEP, the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research Materials with Novel Electronic Properties.