The Zug-based tech startup Sedimentum has expanded into the US by launching a subsidiary in California called Helpany Inc. Later this year, the Swiss company will also be renamed. While the startup grew by 400% last year in Switzerland in the B2C market, Sedimentum has launched its “Safety-as-a-Service” device in the US for the B2B market. Several pilot projects are already underway.
Since entering the Swiss market in the summer of 2022, the startup Sedimentum has been growing. In 2023 alone, the tech startup was able to increase its turnover by 400%. "The Swiss market was perfect for our product development and to tailor our solution even more to the needs of seniors and their family caregivers," says Eugenie Nicoud, COO and co-founder. What started as a fall detector has evolved into a plug-and-play device capable of monitoring human movement 24/7 and serving as an comprehensive information solution for seniors and their families.
The radar-based device called “Paul” detects millimetre movements by looking for frequency shifts in the recorded spectrum of its transmitted radio wave signal, which are caused by reflections from a moving person. As a plug-and-play solution, it doesn't need to be calibrated before use. "It doesn't matter if there there are pets or grandchildren around - Paul adapts through its sophisticated AI-based motion analysis. This flexibility is not usually possible with radar technology," says Nicoud. And one or two units are are sufficient for a household.
Expansion to USA instead auf DACH region
The accompanying app, which has been developed for both seniors and their carers, includes additional features beyond fall alerts, such as burglar alarms or push notifications if someone spends more time in the bathroom than usual. Family members can use the app at any time to check on their loved ones without intruding their privacy. "In the United States, the specific safety needs, coupled with the long distances between caregivers and seniors and the common practice of spending a lot of time at home, represent an ideal market for the adoption of our solution,” concludes co-founder Eugenie Nicoud.
In recent weeks, Sedimentum has launched its device in the US for the B2B market already. According to Nicoud, the startup originally considered the DACH region for further expansion, but ultimately decided on the US market: “The reason for this is that our solution is ideally tailored to the specific circumstances of the US market. In addition, we have seen significant demand from both business and residential customers in the US”.
The current focus is on Arizona and California. Several pilot projects are already underway in independent and assisted living facilities. Sedimentum will also enter the B2C market this spring. “B2C customers will be able to order our products from anywhere in the US via online marketplaces,” explains Nicoud. This will also be possible for Swiss customers with the new plug-and-play standard.
To enter the US market, Sedimentum has opened a subsidiary in San Francisco (CA) with and build up a US sales team. And the startup has changed its name to Helpany – a mix of “help” and “providing company”. Eugenie Nicoud: “In Switzerland, we are also planning to change our name to Helpany this summer.”
(press release / FR)
picture: Sedimentum/Helpany Founder Team f.l.t.r.: Eugenie Nicoud COO, Sandro Cilurzo CEO, Arthur Habicht CTO
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