Drawing closer to the finale of the de Vigier Award

This year’s call for applications for the 30th edition of the de Vigier Award attracted 256 applications from which the jury nominated 17 most promising startups instead 16, as in the previous editions. For the , however, only ten startups have been nominated The finalists were selected based on expert reports, business plans, assessments and presentation. They will pitch before the jury and the audience during the award ceremony on 27 May where the five winners will be announced and awarded.

Mirrakoi from Lausanne (VD) – the XirusCAD, the brand-new 3D digital modeling technology developed by Mirrakoi enables designers as well as architects and engineers to create complex surfaces much faster and more intuitively than with currently available technology.

Mobbot from Fribourg (FR) – Construction companies can cut their fabrication and installation costs by 40 to 80 percent, thanks to Mobbot’s unique 3D concrete printing technology and its fully digitalized process.

PharmaBiome from Zurich (ZH) – the startup developed a proprietary technology to isolate, culture and characterize gut microbes. Based on their functional interaction, the startup formulates them into pharmaceutical grade mixed cultures to sustainably modulate the gut’s microbiome and thereby treat microbiome-linked diseases.

Piomic Medical from Zurich (ZH) – develops a wearable medical device for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds. Acceleration of wound healing processes reduces pain, the risk of wound infections and increases the quality of life in patients suffering from chronic wounds. The unique energy-based technology is portable, easy-to-use and fits seamlessly into the workflow of healthcare professionals.

PXL Vision from Zurich (ZH) – develops state-of-the-art computer vision and machine learning technologies for fully automated customer onboarding and identity verification using camera-based devices.

Scewo from Winterthur (ZH) – develops a wheelchair that allows the user to climb stairs and move more freely. Upon approaching steps, two rubber tracks under the wheelchair are extended. The chair’s seat is kept level at all time. The transitions on and off the stairs are automated.

Sleepiz from Zurich (ZH) – developed a touchless device that captures vital signs of sleep disorders and sleep environment data in real-time with medical grade accuracy using an AI algorithm. Patients can get medically tested for sleep disorders in the comfort of their own home at cheaper costs.

Swiss Motion Technologies from Renens (VD) – develops tailored liners for Better fitting Prosthesis. The liner acts as a soft interface between the limb and the prosthetic leg and it is of the utmost importance that the fit is perfect. After a prosthetic technician 3D scans the limb, MotionTech produces the tailored liner within 72 hours.

T3 Pharmaceuticals AG from Basel (BS) – The major challenge in cancer therapy is developing targeted treatments that exclusively impact the cancer. T3 Pharma does exactly that by using living bacteria that have the capacity to specifically find and even grow in solid tumors where the bacteria serve as efficient factories for therapeutically active proteins. T3 Pharma’s bacteria are a powerful and versatile platform for targeted cancer therapy.

Vatorex AG from Winterthur (ZH) – The Varroa mite is a parasite that damages bee colonies in Europe and North America. Until now, beekeepers treated their bees chemically, which unfortunately also damages the bees. Vatorex uses the different heat tolerance of mites and bees. With a heating wire embedded directly into the brood combs, the bee brood is heated, which kills the mite. This treatment results in 31 percent improved development of the colony.

Photo: Retrieved from de Vigier Facebook.

(ran)