The Aargauische Kantonalbank (AKB) and Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) are among the investors in Eldico Scientific’s pre-seed round. The additional capital brings the company’s total investment since its incorporation in 2019 to CHF 4 million. These funds have enabled the company to achieve proof-of-concept on its prototype and bring a first systems sale to the finish line. Now preparations are underway to launch production.
Based at the Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), a world-leading research institute for natural sciences and engineering, Eldico develops, manufactures and commercializes electron diffractometers. The novel analytical instruments for electron-based crystallography make it possible to investigate nanocrystalline samples.
"With the help of our unique electron diffractometer, companies in the pharmaceutical, battery and new materials industries will be able to catalyze innovation and growth," says Eric Hovestreydt, founder and CEO of ELDICO.
Nanocrystallography has a broad field of application; however, there is currently lack of specific analytical instruments. The electron diffractometer is a fundamentally new concept that ELDICO is preparing to bring to the market. Besides academic and industrial research institutes, future users of the ELDICO’s technology will include companies in the pharmaceutical industry, battery manufacturers and the advanced materials sector.
In 2018, the startup achieved a Proof-of-concept as part of a Nano-Argovia project of the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI). The next phase will see the company commission the first operational system in September 2021 for a consortium of industrial and academic users. Subsequently. It will launch preparations for the series production. According to the company, OEM contracts have already been concluded with important suppliers – including Dectris, a supplier of detectors and based in Baden-Dättwil.
ELDICO will present its system at the 25th World Congress of the International Union of Crystallography IUCr, to be held in Prague (CZ) from 14 to 21 August 2021 with up to 3,000 visitors.
A growing team and board committee
ELDICO has recently expanded its sales team with an application scientist and a sales manager, bringing its team to eight people. Additionally, ELDICO has welcomed Hans Kühn, an internationally experienced production and supply chain expert, as a member of the company’s board of directors.
(Press release/RAN)
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