FIF Support awarded to Four Geneva Startups Transformative Innovations

CHF 50,000 FIF Grant awarded to MyoLink: Simplifying muscle monitoring for gait rehabilitation

MyoLink is addressing unmet needs in gait rehabilitation with a non-invasive, easy-to-set-up system for real-time muscle monitoring. Current tools are often complex, subjective, and unsuitable for telemedicine applications. MyoLink’s solution uses elastic bands with integrated electrodes to deliver quantitative data on muscle activity and movement, streamlining assessments for clinicians and enabling patient use at home.

Coming from the EPFL and located at Campus Biotech in Geneva, neural engineering expert Vincent Mendez, PhD and his team bring significant expertise in biosignal processing, electronics, and translational research, positioning them to transform rehabilitation practices.

CHF 100,000 FIF Seed Loan awarded to Astrocyte: Astrocyte-targeted therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

Astrocyte is developing a new brain-penetrant inhibitor to improve memory function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by targeting astrocyte signaling. Unlike conventional therapies, this innovative approach addresses a critical but underexplored mechanism and has demonstrated effectiveness in preclinical models by protecting against memory loss.

The team is led by Prof. Andrea Volterra, an internationally recognized neuroscientist and recipient of the 2017 Theodore Ott Prize, with extensive expertise in astrocyte function.

Located at Campus Biotech in Geneva and supported by the Wyss Center, Astrocyte will collaborate with the HUG Memory Clinic, neuroscience groups at the University of Geneva, and research entities at Campus Biotech such as FONGIT-supported Gliapharm SA.

CHF 100,000 FIF Seed Loan awarded to Effetto Venturi SA: Autonomous buoys for sustainable water delimitation

Effetto Venturi has developed lightweight, autonomous buoys to improve temporary water delimitation. These anchor-less buoys are easy to deploy and feature precise positioning within a 1-meter radius, even in challenging weather conditions. The buoys are designed to minimize environmental impact, such as seabed damage and fuel consumption, which are common with traditional solutions.

Effetto Venturi’s technology has been adopted by over 50 water sports clubs in 13 countries and notably was the official supplier for the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the first use of autonomous buoys in the Games’ history.

Based at FONGIT in Geneva, CEO Valentina Venturi leads the company with over 25 years of sailing experience and a strong engineering background at CERN. Her team also includes experts in IT, GIS, and entrepreneurship.

CHF 200,000 FIF Growth Loan awarded to The ShowCase Sàrl: Transforming luxury product presentations

The ShowCase Sàrl has developed an advanced portable studio system for presenting luxury products. Their technology integrates 4K cameras, professional lighting, and customizable controls to create immersive, interactive demonstrations, enabling luxury brands to engage clients remotely and boost sales.

CEO Denis Hayoun and his team bring decades of experience in the luxury industry and expertise in digital technology.

The company is trusted by over 40 luxury brands, including Hermès, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and Rolex. The FIF Growth Loan will enable the company to scale operations and further enhance its impact in the luxury retail sector.

(PR)