Four startups secure the InnoBooster grant

The InnoBooster program powered by the Gerbert Rüf Stiftung aims to accelerate the market entry of promising student business cases. Eligible for the support are deeptech startups that have already entered the Venture Kick process and shown high market potential. Participants in the latest cohort have each received CHF 150’000 in the program to advance the development of their solutions.

RoBoa | Alexander Kübler, ETH Zürich
RoBoa is an innovative robotic system designed to revolutionize operations in confined spaces and go where no human, drone, or other robot can go. Using special, growing-based locomotion, RoBoa can navigate confined, cluttered, winding, and slippery environments that are otherwise inaccessible. The modular, snake-like robot excels in applications ranging from industrial inspections of pipes and sewers to search and rescue missions, e.g., after earthquakes. Having demonstrated its capabilities through multiple proof-of-concept and pilot tests, RoBoa is now set to transition from a prototype to a market-ready product. The InnoBooster funding will be crucial for executing pilot projects and developing a beta product thus accelerating RoBoa's market entry and serving as the foundation for expanding into further applications to enhance safety and efficiency in confined spaces across industries.

BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics | Raja Prince-Eladnani, University of Bern
Hemophilia A and B, Von Willebrand disease, factor XI deficiency, and inherited platelet disorders make up 90% of bleeding disorders. Preventing bleeding in patients with these conditions is still an unmet need. In cases such as hemophilia, stopping bleeding in joints is essential to maintain joint health, however no specific treatment exists for blood-induced joint inflammation, highlighting the need for targeted therapies. Another concern is the reduced bone mineral density often seen in people with hemophilia, increasing their risk of fractures. BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics, a spinoff from the University of Bern, is focused on discovering new drug targets to prevent bleeding and inflammation and advancing their development. The company’s lead compound, BnF-001, uses small interfering RNA to target the protein S gene in the liver. This hemostatic drug aims not only to prevent bleeding in patients with bleeding disorders but also to preserve joint and bone health.

UNOMR | Til Schlotter, ETH Zürich
Proteins are essential to life, driving processes like digestion, muscle contraction, detoxification, and immune defense. While 20,000 proteins exist in the human body, millions of modifications regulate their function and activation. Current sensors detect abundant proteins but struggle to measure single modifications, such as glycosylation – the attachment of sugars. Abnormal glycosylation patterns are linked to diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. UNOMR’s patented serial nanopore sensor analyzes glycosylation at the single-protein level, reaching the physical limit of bio-sensing. This groundbreaking technology fills a critical gap in proteomics and is poised to become an indispensable tool in life sciences. As protein modifications emerge as key factors in biological processes, UNOMR’s sensor promises unprecedented insights into protein function based on glycosylation and beyond, potentially revolutionizing cancer research, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.

Versive | Reto Togni, ETH Zürich
Manual wheelchair users expend up to 1/3 of their propulsion energy on one-handed braking just to maintain direction while moving forward. This results in energy loss, is unpractical, frustrating, and poses significant health risks. Versive developed a steering-by-leaning technology that transforms wheelchair navigation much like carving revolutionized skiing. It enables users to control direction without braking, using intuitive upper-body movements. By leaning to one side, users turn in that side; sitting upright keeps them moving straight. The result is a more efficient, enjoyable, and natural experience which improves health, mobility and independence of users. Versive originates from ETH Zürich, founded by Dr. Reto Togni and Stefan Villiger. Their combined expertise in movement science, design, and engineering is dedicated to revolutionizing manual mobility for over 80 million users worldwide.

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