First Biopôle Start-up Fund recipients announced

The first recipients of the Biopôle Start-Up Fund have been announced. Novostia and Genknowme will be each be granted CHF 90’000 cash financial support for three years, with no strings attached. A welcomed support by both companies in Epalinges.

‘The fund is a breath of fresh oxygen while waiting for the next fundraising round,’ said Geoffroy Lapeyre, CEO and Co-founder at Novostia. Geoffroy and the Novostia team are developing the TRIFLO heart valve, designed to last a lifetime without the need for anticoagulants. TRIFLO will improve patients’ quality of life, while also significantly reducing overall healthcare costs.

For Sébastien Nusslé, Co-founder and CEO at Genknowme, the duration of the support is crucial: ‘At first, I was looking for more cash, right now. However, when planning our financial budget for the upcoming years, I realised that having the support of the Biopôle Start-up Fund offers great security for us. And let’s say it: it is rare to find a fund with no strings attached.’
 
Genknowme has developed a test (patent pending) that identifies key epigenetic markers to help adults track, maintain and improve their well-being and potential longevity. Biopôle SA has an annual budget of approximately CHF 500,000 dedicated to helping accelerate the innovation of start-ups established at Biopôle; they can be active in any area of the life sciences, be it biotech, medtech, pharma, digital health, nutrition — or any other related field.

Companies interested in applying for the Biopôle Start-up Fund can find all the information on website of the Lausanne Life Sciences campus. The next application deadline is 30th September, 2021.

(Press release - ES)
Picture: Sébastien Nusslé, Nasri Nahas, Geoffroy Lapeyre (L-R)