Roche joins BaseLaunch Accelerator

BaseLaunch welcomes another strong partner in Roche, the world's largest biotech company, which now completes the healthcare partner committee. BaseLaunch provides promising healthcare startups with access to funds, expertise, infrastructure and industry contacts, and integrates them into one of the most dynamic biotech and healthcare ecosystems in Europe. The program, initiated and operated by BaselArea.swiss, collaborates closely with digitalswitzerland's Kickstart Accelerator. In addition to Roche, BaseLaunch is backed by the original partners Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Novartis Venture Fund, Pfizer and other public and private partners.

“The fact that BaseLaunch has attracted the support of three of the world's leading healthcare companies as well as one of the most prominent corporate venture funds makes our program unique in the world and once again demonstrates the importance of Switzerland as a center for the life sciences, with the Basel region as its driving force," says Christof Klöpper, CEO of BaselArea.swiss.

"This partnership with yet another top player in the life sciences industry represents a significant added value for the startups participating in the BaseLaunch accelerator program and strengthens us in our mission to provide the most promising healthcare innovators with the best possible support to develop their business ideas," adds Alethia de León, Managing Director of BaseLaunch.

112 projects were submitted by the closing date of June 30. By mid-September, the selection committee, which includes representatives from each of the healthcare partners, will select around ten of the most promising projects. Each project will receive a grant of up to 10,000 Swiss francs in the first phase of the program. The company founders will then work closely with the BaseLaunch team and a network of experienced entrepreneurs and consultants to build their business case. Startup companies selected for the second phase will receive financial support of up to 250,000 Swiss francs.