WattAnyWhere offers a groundbreaking solution to the lengthy and costly process of connecting to the power grid for outputs of 300kW or more, through its Bioenergy-On-Demand fuel cell system. Developed in partnership with EPFL, HES- SO, and industrial collaborators, this off-grid, pollutant-free system utilizes renewable ethanol—a safe and economical liquid hydrogen carrier—to generate high-power, clean electricity. As the transition from conventional vehicles accelerates, WattAnyWhere's innovative approach repurposes surplus ethanol to support the growth of electric mobility.
YQuantum develops miniaturized cryogenic hardware solutions that tackle one of quantum computing’s central challenges – scalability – by bridging the gap between laboratory prototypes and commercially viable systems through compact, high-performance components that are essential for building scalable quantum computers.
a-metal offers an affordable, compact, and safe metal 3D printing machine designed for small and medium-sized enterprises, educational institutions, and development groups. Founded in March 2023 and based in Zurich, the company targets sectors like automotive, aviation, education, and medtech. Their system features a closed-loop powder handling cartridge, ensuring clean and safe operation without requiring specialized facilities or expertise.
askEarth AG is a Swiss startup founded in January 2023 and based in Zürich. It specializes in using satellite imagery and AI to predict environmental changes. As a spin-off from UZH, ETH, and EPFL, askEarth has secured a research and development project with the European Space Agency and has already acquired two paying customers in the geospatial intelligence market. The company aims to expand its team to meet increasing demand and to attract international clients.
Biped Robotics SA has developed the world’s first AI-powered navigation device for blind and visually impaired individuals. The device, worn like a harness, uses 3D cameras to detect and predict the movement of surrounding objects, providing intuitive audio feedback through bone conduction headphones. With over 250 beta-testers and 10 partners across Europe and the US, Biped launched its product in January 2023 and continues to expand.
CondenZero AG, a University of Zurich spin-off, is revolutionizing cryo-electron microscopy with its cutting-edge cryo-technology. Their innovation allows material scientists, life scientists, and nanotechnologists to conduct atomic-scale research at ultra-low temperatures of 5K within just one minute, with a hold time of up to 24 hours. This represents a significant improvement over traditional systems, which typically operate at higher temperatures with shorter hold times. CondenZero's technology has already been adopted by renowned research institutions, positioning it as a key player in advancing molecular-level research.
eightinks develops a patented multi-layer curtain coating platform for battery manufacturers and OEMs that addresses throughput, efficiency and performance limitations of conventional coating processes by enabling the simultaneous deposition of more than eight ultra-thin layers in a single pass at speeds of up to 500 m per minute, achieving up to tenfold coating speed, around 30 percent cost savings in large-scale production and up to 50 percent improvements in cell performance, while remaining highly versatile and material-agnostic across applications such as solid electrolytes, gradient cathodes, advanced anodes and the integration of multiple functional layers in one process step.
Flowbone SA, established in July 2020 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, is a medtech startup developing innovative biomaterials for minimally invasive bone augmentation. Their flagship product is an injectable "bone-seeding" gel designed to locally strengthen fragile bones by initiating the body's natural mineral deposition, transforming into strong bone. This technology addresses osteoporosis-related fracture risks by providing a fast-acting treatment. Flowbone's solutions comply with bone biology, ensuring no interference with vascularization or mechanics, and the company is in the pre-clinical phase, preparing for clinical trials.
Matriq's patented DynamicMold technology innovatively embeds unique, machine-readable watermark codes into plastic components during their primary forming process. This method, which also incorporates optical security structures, aims to replace traditional labeling and laser marking in the medtech, automotive, and industrial sectors. It offers lower costs, faster production, reduced complexity, and enhanced anti-counterfeiting measures. Matriq's solution is ideal for high-volume markets with an increasing demand for sophisticated product marking, serving purposes like track and trace, identity verification, and brand trust.
MetaLead Therapeutics AG is a Swiss biotech company focused on developing next-generation medications to treat metal-related diseases, particularly lead poisoning and Wilson’s disease. Their platform technology is based on short peptides that bind tightly and selectively to toxic metal ions, facilitating their safe expulsion from the body. MetaLead is currently advancing treatments for Wilson’s disease, a genetic disorder that leads to harmful copper accumulation in the liver and brain. Their innovative approach, validated in animal models for lead poisoning, offers improved safety and efficacy compared to existing treatments.
qCella AG, founded in September 2023 and headquartered in Zürich, specializes in developing innovative heating solutions using their patent-pending copper-infused cellulose fiber hybrid material. This technology enables the creation of flexible, paper-thin heating mats that can be customized into various shapes and sizes. These mats provide uniform heating across their entire surface, eliminating the need for additional heat-distributing layers and enhancing energy efficiency. Their versatility allows integration into products such as heated seats for vehicles and aircraft, clothing, footwear, pain-relief devices, and machinery components.
viboo AG, founded in March 2022 and headquartered in Dübendorf, Switzerland, offers a cloud platform that connects to IoT devices in light commercial and multi-family buildings to enhance operational efficiency through AI-driven methods, notably Self-Learning Predictive Control. Developed from five years of research at Empa and ETH Zurich, their core algorithm can reduce heating energy consumption by up to 40% compared to industry-standard solutions while improving occupant comfort. The viboo cockpit, a Building Management System (BMS) for operators, provides insights into energy and comfort performance, conducts real-time data-driven system health analyses, and facilitates seamless operation of existing buildings. The team comprises experts in building automation, experienced software engineers, and professionals from the real estate sector.
