CompPair HealTech in the spotlight

Although CompPair Technologies SA was created in January 2020, the startup cofounders have been working on the project for a long time. The EPFL spin-off technology is the follow-up of Amaël Cohades’ PhD thesis performed between 2014 and 2018 at the Laboratory for Processing of Advanced Composites (LPAC). Thanks to much appreciated innovation grants in 2018-2019-2020, CompPair has been able to achieve major development milestones such as product industrial upscale, performances and quality validation, or proof-of-concept parts. Earlier this year, the startup obtained the FIT loan, and added the ESA BIC Switzerland program in parallel to its university innovation grants, which enabled it to get first market traction through pilot implementations that are now running with clients.

A Swiss HealTech pioneer

Based at the EPFL Innovation Park, CompPair is active in the field of composite materials and their applications. Composite materials are widely used in sports, marine, wind and transport industries. However, a major limitation with these materials is their sensitivity to damage. Current repair solutions are costly and time consuming; and recycling is still lacking efficiency. CompPair tackles these limitations by bringing innovative preimpregnated textile semi-products (named HealTech) to the market. Composite materials that are built with CompPair products have the several important new features: ultra-fast and material-free repairing process, life-time extension, lightweight properties, and efficient recycling. "Wer target initially sports, marine and leisure markets, but our aim is to further develop in the wind, aerospace and automotive markets", explains Amaël Cohades.

Looking back at this first year, the founder reckons that InnoSuisse courses are a perfect tool to start with in order to settle properly the project, understand the market potential, and define a clear roadmap. 

Today, CompPair employs 4 FTEs. The startup was founded by Amaël Cohades, Robin Trigueira (CTO) and Véronique Michaud (Scientific Advisor). The team was complemented by Cecilia Scazzoli (R&D) and Nicolas Gandar (Business Development) this year, enabling it to fasten its market traction and company development. In addition, CompPair still has close links with the EPFL where some engineers are linked to its activities.

Focus on the marine & sports markets

The next most important step for CompPair is to secure its market penetration in the marine and sport markets. The team has already many pilot implementations running that it expects to transform into series production. But CompPair is also looking at longer development timelines. This is why in parallel it has 2 important projects in collaboration with EPFL that will enable the company to grow further in these markets. CompPair is currently fundraising its seed round to reach that next step and there is still room for opportunities, says Amaël Cohades.

(ES)