MassChallenge

Eaternity AG is a software management company based in Zurich, Switzerland, that specializes in the restaurant industry. Founded in 2014 by Judith Ellens and Manuel Klarmann at ETH Zurich, Eaternity provides a platform that offers a real-time calculation engine for addressing allergen and nutrition declarations, as well as assessing the carbon footprint of meals and restaurants. The company's solutions enable restaurant owners to gain valuable insights into their supply chain, facilitating informed decision-making. Eaternity also aims to support organizations globally in calculating the environmental impact of their food products, striving for a sustainable food system within the planet's ecological boundaries. Through its Eaternity Score, the company transparently communicates the environmental effects of various food products, serving both consumers and decision-makers.

VAY is a computer vision company that specializes in digitizing human movements using simple camera technology. Founded in 2019 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, VAY's platform leverages artificial intelligence to enable precise perception and prediction of human motion. This innovative approach provides businesses with the ability to measure, analyze, and customize their products, enhancing outcomes across various applications, including health, sports, and gaming. VAY distinguishes itself with a system and hardware agnostic methodology, allowing for seamless integration into existing workflows. Their technology aims to create smarter, more interactive experiences by utilizing real-life data and feedback.

Oxyle AG is a Swiss company based in Zurich that specializes in wastewater treatment aimed at removing persistent and toxic micropollutants from water sources. Established in 2020, the company has developed a novel technology that effectively degrades hazardous substances, including pharmaceuticals, personal-care products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Oxyle serves a diverse clientele, including the pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, food and beverage sectors, research laboratories, hospitals, and wastewater treatment facilities. Its innovative approach not only helps clients comply with regulatory standards but also offers a sustainable alternative to wastewater incineration, thereby contributing to reduced CO2 emissions.

Synthara AG, a Swiss semiconductor startup founded in 2019 and based in Zurich, specializes in designing advanced smart sensors for industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications and other energy-sensitive uses. The company focuses on developing energy-efficient computational AI chips tailored for various applications, including wearables, health monitoring, augmented reality/virtual reality, and aerospace technologies. Its flagship product, ComputeRAM, serves as a drop-in replacement for traditional SRAM, enabling complex calculations to be performed directly in memory. This innovation significantly reduces CPU workload, enhances system performance, and improves efficiency, particularly for AI applications. Synthara's technology is processor-type agnostic, compatible with architectures such as RISC-V, ARM, and x86, allowing seamless integration into existing microcontroller platforms. By empowering chipmakers and device manufacturers, Synthara aims to lower costs, accelerate time to market, and foster new avenues for innovation in the semiconductor industry.

Planted Foods AG, founded in 2019 and based in Zürich, Switzerland, specializes in the development of plant-based meat products. The company's offerings include planted chicken and BBQ planted chicken, which are crafted using pea protein, pea fiber, sunflower oil, and water to replicate the taste, texture, and mouthfeel of traditional animal meat. By employing advanced technology, Planted Foods transforms these natural ingredients into nutritious, high-protein alternatives that appeal to consumers seeking plant-based options. Additionally, the company operates an e-commerce platform to facilitate the sale of its products directly to customers.

CellSpring is a biotechnology company based in Zurich, Switzerland, focused on enhancing cell-based in vitro studies through innovative technology. Its flagship platform, 3D Bloom, allows for the rapid creation of biomimetic microtissues that are independent of cell type. This platform significantly improves upon traditional 3D cell culture methods by offering faster fabrication, greater reliability, and enhanced versatility. The microtissues developed using 3D Bloom are designed to serve various biological functions, including aiding clinicians in the early diagnosis of cancer. Through its advancements, CellSpring aims to facilitate fundamental improvements in the field of biotechnology and medical research.

Microcaps AG is a company based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in the development of innovative microencapsulation technology. Founded in 2018, it focuses on creating a scalable production system for precise microcapsules and microparticles using advanced microfluidics. The company's devices enable the fabrication of monodisperse capsules and emulsions of various sizes, providing tailored solutions for drug delivery, probiotic encapsulation, and enhancing the stability of pharmaceutical agents and fragrances in cosmetic products. Microcaps aims to offer a fully automated encapsulation micro-factory that ensures size control and precise dosing, significantly improving production efficiency and throughput rates compared to conventional methods.

OxyPrem AG is a Swiss company that specializes in developing and manufacturing sensor solutions for monitoring preterm infants. Founded in 2018 and based in Zurich, OxyPrem offers an advanced reusable oxygen sensor that continuously measures brain oxygen levels in high-risk preterm infants using noninvasive near-infrared light technology. This device accurately determines hemoglobin oxygen saturation in any human tissue, allowing healthcare providers to deliver improved clinical care while significantly reducing waste. By enabling real-time monitoring, OxyPrem's technology plays a crucial role in preventing early death and mitigating the risk of severe long-term brain damage in this vulnerable population.

Rapid Graft is a medical device company founded in 2018 and based in Zurich, Switzerland. The company specializes in developing an innovative dermatome designed to facilitate the precise and rapid harvesting of small split-skin grafts. This technology aims to enhance the treatment of chronic wound patients and address future needs in tissue engineering. The device enables surgeons to perform skin grafting procedures with minimal discomfort, eliminating the need for specialist intervention or an operating room. Additionally, it reduces the risk of infection and scarring, promoting faster skin cell regeneration and improved healing outcomes for patients.

Parquery AG, founded in 2014 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in smart parking solutions through the development of a web application that provides real-time on-street parking availability. The company employs computer vision and machine learning technologies to analyze images and detect parking vacancies, utilizing snapshots from existing cameras to deliver accurate data. This service caters to parking managers and supports smart city and mobility initiatives by offering insights into past, current, and predicted future usage of parking facilities, thereby facilitating smarter routing options for drivers seeking available parking spots.

Sleepiz AG, based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in manufacturing a non-contact sleep monitoring device aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility in home environments. Incorporated in 2018, the company's innovative product is designed to be placed on a bedside table, where it accurately measures patients' breathing patterns, heart rate, and body movements using advanced wireless millimeter wave technology and artificial intelligence. This device not only facilitates the diagnosis of sleep disorders but also enables long-term monitoring of chronic diseases, allowing healthcare providers to track patient progression and implement timely interventions for improved treatment outcomes. Through its user-friendly and precise approach, Sleepiz is positioned to significantly contribute to patient-centric disease management.

Versantis AG is a Swiss pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines and diagnostics for liver diseases. Founded in 2015 and based in Zurich, the company is dedicated to addressing the unmet medical needs of patients globally. Its lead candidate, VS-01, is in the preclinical stage and aims to be the first drug for acute liver disease, with the unique capability of supporting multiple organ function. VS-01 has received Orphan Drug Designation for acute liver failure, highlighting its potential in treating rare conditions. Additionally, Versantis is advancing other products in its pipeline, including VS-02 and VS-03, which target chronic liver diseases and drug intoxications, respectively. These developments represent significant opportunities for improving patient outcomes in the field of liver health and beyond.

Versantis AG is a Swiss pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines and diagnostics for liver diseases. Founded in 2015 and based in Zurich, the company is dedicated to addressing the unmet medical needs of patients globally. Its lead candidate, VS-01, is in the preclinical stage and aims to be the first drug for acute liver disease, with the unique capability of supporting multiple organ function. VS-01 has received Orphan Drug Designation for acute liver failure, highlighting its potential in treating rare conditions. Additionally, Versantis is advancing other products in its pipeline, including VS-02 and VS-03, which target chronic liver diseases and drug intoxications, respectively. These developments represent significant opportunities for improving patient outcomes in the field of liver health and beyond.

Includeed is a consultancy and innovative solution provider focused on promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly in relation to gender issues. Founded in 2015 and based in Les Acacias, Switzerland, the company operates a platform that allows employees, job seekers, and customers to review and share experiences, ask questions, suggest solutions, and request companies to disclose information regarding diversity and equal opportunities. Includeed's programs extend across several locations, including Geneva, Zurich, Paris, and Lyon, aiming to foster dialogue and transparency in workplace practices related to diversity.

Smart Home Technology GmbH, founded in 2014 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in the development of smart home devices and home automation products. The company is committed to enhancing existing systems through innovative solutions that prioritize ultra-low power consumption and reliability. Utilizing zero-standby power technology, Smart Home Technology enables the operation of electrical devices with minimal energy loss. Their approach encompasses a comprehensive understanding of security and communication concepts, delivering highly efficient systems paired with advanced software tailored for business clients in the cleantech and smart home sectors.

Rqmicro is a Swiss company based in Zurich that specializes in pathogen separation and detection technology. Founded in 2013, it focuses on providing rapid microbial assessments for water and food safety. The company has developed proprietary reagents and instruments that deliver accurate results in less than one hour, allowing for quick detection of dangerous water and foodborne pathogens. This technology enables clients to obtain quantitative data on contamination levels, thereby enhancing overall safety in food and water supplies.

Pingen is an online solution to send documents by letter post for private, business, and software integration. Users can either upload PDFs from their desktops or fetch files online from their Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft Skydrive accounts. Pingen was launched in 2010 and is operated from Zürich, Switzerland.

MagnebotiX, established in 2014 and based in Zurich, specializes in the development and manufacturing of magnetic manipulation systems. The company focuses on creating magnetic field generators and micromagnetic agents that facilitate both fundamental and applied research in science and engineering. Their innovative products utilize magnetic fields to enable wireless micromanipulation, making it possible to perform tasks in challenging environments. This includes the use of their systems as untethered mechanical probes for accessing hard-to-reach locations and for delivering targeted cargo in minimally invasive biological studies. MagnebotiX aims to advance research on magnetic phenomena and develop applications for magnetic microrobots, thereby enhancing capabilities in various research fields.