The annual IMD Startup Competition aims to support promising early-stage companies by offering them valuable insights and assistance from experienced managers, notably from IMD’s EMBA and MBA participants. This year’s edition features 22 companies that are developing solutions including advancements in optical sensing, battery technology, and robotics, medical therapeutics, neurosurgery, water management, and sustainable energy solutions.
The 9 startups working with EMBAs in 2025
4K-MEMS SA | delivers cutting-edge infrared emitters enabling low-cost advanced optical sensing in a miniature package.
BTRY | The ETH-spinoff develops an all-solid-state battery for IoT, MedTech, and consumer electronics which can be charged and discharged within one minute.
Magnetfab | is the world’s first company specializing in the manufacturing of integrated micromagnets, unlocking new possibilities for innovation in cutting-edge applications such as sensors, microspeakers, quantum computing, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
Juvion Health Sciences | is pioneering next-generation therapeutics to prevent mobility decline and combat sarcopenia, leveraging cutting-edge neuroscience expertise and an automated discovery platform to redefine healthy aging.
Kolbev | develops autonomous mobile robots with integrated energy storage to facilitate EV charging for large parking lot operators.
Release Therapeutics | is developing breakthrough cell encapsulation technology to deliver therapeutic proteins to the brain, with its lead program targeting Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare genetic disorder affecting young children.
Rhovica Neuroimaging | is developing a precision-guided neurosurgical brain catheter and monitoring system to optimize the emergency treatment of critically ill head trauma and brain bleed patients; saving time and lives, improving neurological outcomes, and reducing treatment costs.
Riverkin | delivers real-time water intelligence to help companies mitigate risks and build resilience.
Undae Science | Its products and services are inspired by science, developed in partnership with medical doctors, and tailored to respond to current limitations in sleep management across medical care, elite sports, and research.
The 13 startups working with MBAs in 2025
Aisot Technologies | empowers investment managers to manage risks effectively and deliver high-performing portfolios to clients at scale.
Besso | optimizes international supply chains with 360° actionable regulatory insights.
CDDS | develops high-speed counter drones, which autonomously intercept and neutralize threats by visually identifying and colliding with them.
CIWI | is an early-stage water tech startup focused on providing water treatment facilities with treatment agents produced onsite, using fewer resources and less energy, and offering improved safety and supply chain resilience.
Databaum | revolutionizes regenerative agriculture through advanced data intelligence.
Digitel | AMICOOL by Digitel leverages artificial intelligence to predict and optimize supermarket refrigeration systems in real time, boosting efficiency and cutting operation costs by up to 20%.
EAPOSYS | pioneers deep closed-loop Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS), using energy from the Earth’s core to deliver 24/7 renewable power while actively decarbonizing heat and electricity generation.
Elythor | Elythor develops advanced drones for the safe and efficient inspection of industrial assets, even in extreme weather conditions.
Fenix Energy | leverages abundant iron as an energy carrier to deliver the easiest, cost-competitive, and carbon-free solution for storing, transporting, and producing green energy to empower industries with a sustainable and circular future.
Hyperion AI | empowers businesses with universally accessible artificial intelligence agent technology, providing a SaaS platform that uses natural language to automate repetitive tasks and boost productivity.
New Generation Tanks | is dedicated to advancing industry and mobility decarbonization with its groundbreaking technology of recyclable, ultra-light pressure tanks designed for the efficient storage and transport of compressed gases.
Verretex | produces fully recycled fiberglass products for industrial composite material applications, using substantially less energy and positively impacting the environment.
XR.MD (aka ex vivo) | is an extended reality platform leveraging generative artificial intelligence to revolutionize practical training and assessment of medical students.
(Press release/RAN)
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The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
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