Clever solutions for pressing problems

Security, the aging society, energy consumption – the eleven start-ups selected for the Swiss Venture Day of CTI Invest are addressing important problems. This is not particularly surprising since all those challenges lead to the emergence of huge markets. However it was amazing to see how the start-ups take on these challenges.

Most start-ups presented astounding products and technologies. A good example is OsmoBlue. CEO Elodie Dahan presented a sustainable and profitable technology for recycling low-temperature waste heat. OsmoBlue’s patented technology converts low-temperature heat, as low as 30°C, into electricity.

An example from the Life Sciences industry was presented by Werner Enz, the experienced CEO of Cellec Biotek. The company develops and sells bioreactors for 3D cell culture and tissue generation. The products allow growing 3D living tissues, as advanced model systems for tissue development and drug testing. The tissues produced with the system can be relatively large.

Medirio combines innovative technology with a smart strategy
Another young Life Sciences company had an innovative technology but also a remarkable strategy. Medirio develops an alternative for syringes and insulin pens which are used by 95% of diabetics. Medirio’s system consists of a disposable adhesive patch and a handheld device as user interface and drive unit. Because the patch doesn’t contain any electronics or motors it’s a low cost disposable. The costs for the whole system per year are similar to the costs of pens. On the other hand the Medirio system is much more convenient and discreet. The patch unlocks and receives energy to pump insulin by placing the handheld device in proximity to the patch – even over the clothes.

Regarding the strategy the start-up has designed its innovation in a way that it can replace insulin pens easily. The innovation is not disruptive in sense that it will change the way doctors or the industry deal with diabetes. When Medirio’s system enters the market everything else can remain the same. The only thing changing is that patients are using the patch and the handheld instead of syringes or insulin pens and are enjoying a new level of comfort. This means relatively low entry barriers for the Medirio system.

The team has already worked several years on the solution. At the moment Medirio expects to have a full functional prototype in the second quarter of 2014. In 2016 the system should be ready for mass manufacturing.

A list of all companies that presented their plans at the last Swiss Venture Day can be found in our article from November.

A list with events of CTI Invest in 2014 – including the next Swiss Venture Days – was published on the website of CTI Invest.