Foodtech and deeptech startups to advance their solutions

Traditional meat is still a relevant ingredient in the diet of the major part of the world population, however this has a detrimental impact on the environment. To achieve climate objectives while ensuring food supply for the global population, innovative solutions are highly demanded. Two startups have obtained support from the Gebert Rüf Stiftung to accelerate the development of their sustainable meat alternatives as part of the InnoBooster program.  

Yumame Foods makes vegan and minimally processed foods based on the innovative blending of mushrooms and plant-based ingredients in culinary recipes through fermentation. This offers a better alternative to existing plant-based meat-like products, which often contain a long list of highly refined ingredients, undergo complex processing, and are sourced through long international supply chains. The startup team led by Eliana Zamprogna, EHL Business School plans to validate its products in the Swiss market throughout 2023 and 2024, and in collaboration with the Institute of Nutrition R&D at EHL Hospitality Business School, it will embark on a focused research initiative to develop innovative culinary recipes and streamline processes for efficient scale-up. The InnoBooster support will play a pivotal role in accelerating these research activities.

Sallea from the ETH sees cellular agriculture as another approach for sustainable foods. While initial meat products have been successfully developed using this approach, current limitations in thickness restrict options mainly to processed meat products. Sallea is developing porous structures, known as scaffolds. These scaffolds serve as the ideal growth environment for cells, enabling them to form three-dimensional structures like steaks or fish fillets. Combining their expertise with the experience of other component providers, Sallea aims to expedite the integration of scaffolds into existing processes, propelling the ecosystem towards high-value animal-based protein products.

Three startups applying novel approaches to develop new solutions for industry, construction and the legal tech sector will also accelerate their development thanks to the InnoBooster program.

TALPA Inspection by Lukas Birrer from the ETH is addressing the corrosion problem faced in construction due to the use of reinforced concrete with a non-destructive, research-based, deep tech, inspection method for evaluating buried structures. Its solution provides cost-effective condition assessments, increases safety and reduces maintenance costs. Given the lack of a viable alternative and the pressing issue of undetected corrosion in underground structures, this innovative approach has garnered significant interest from pivotal stakeholders, notably the Federal Roads Office. The ongoing validation of the inspection technology in multiple pilot tests underscores its potential reliability. Leveraging the InnoBooster, the startup team aims to streamline and automate data collection processes, thereby enhancing its capacity to cater to a broader customer base.

K2 Photonics by Justinas Pupeikis, ETH develops single-cavity dual-comb lasers for leading metrology applications. In precision manufacturing, accuracy and speed are crucial. The demand for higher precision has pushed Time-of-Flight technology to its limits, reaching up to 100 billion times per second. However, industries now require even greater precision, prompting the need for faster clocks. Optical frequency combs, with frequencies 1000 times higher than electronic clocks, can meet these demands. Unfortunately, complex setups hinder practical application. K2 Photonics' innovation of single-cavity dual-comb lasers transforms this landscape by generating two laser beams from a single optical cavity. This breakthrough eliminates environmental disturbances, unlocking the precision of optical frequency combs through a simple laser setup. This advancement propels laser inspection, enabling ultra-precise 3D profiling, functional coating thickness analysis, semiconductor chip assessment, and air composition evaluation.

Ex Nunc intelligence led by Lukas Aeschbach from the EPFL are shaking up the legal environment. Navigating Switzerland's complex legal system is challenging for professionals and citizens alike. Using natural language processing, Ex Nunc Intelligence offers a SaaS solution to simplify the system. This innovative platform utilizes a comprehensive law database to autonomously draft legal documents and deliver specialized responses through an intelligent search engine. For legal professionals, this translates to accelerated and more efficient research processes. Simultaneously, for citizens, it functions as a virtual legal assistant, providing guidance and advising on when to seek the expertise of a human legal professional.

(RAN)