Three startups each receive CHF 100,000 Innogrants

The EPFL Tech Launchpad aims to empower entrepreneurs, providing them with the right support to launch the companies of tomorrow. During the incubation program, each selected team receives tailored support including dedicated funding, external expertise, and the opportunity to connect with a powerful network.

The next cohort comprises three startups.

Solaxer, cutting reliance on fossil fuel with a next-generation heat harvesting technology
Nearly 75 percent of the energy used in industry goes towards heat, of which 90 percent of the heat is generated using fossil fuels. Maxime Lagier and Anna Krammer, co-founders of EPFL start-up Solaxer, have developed a new coating for solar receivers that are environmentally friendly, cost-effective and deliver high performance. According to the company, there is already significant interest from some of the world’s largest solar heat manufacturers. The team will use the grant to adapt and refine their prototype and start scaling up production.

FiberLab, improving the quality and efficiency of chronic wound care 
Chronic wounds are still under-recognised and a poorly managed affliction. In Switzerland alone, there are around 30,000 new cases annually and the country spends around CHF 2 billion in treatment every year. With an ageing population, it is estimated that the global chronic wound care market is going to be worth over $16.3b by the end of 2027. One of the core problems with chronic wound diagnosis and management is that clinical assessment remains highly subjective, strongly dependent on the doctor or nurse’s own experience, thus prone to misdiagnosis.
FiberLab has developed a technology that offers quick and effective on-site testing of chronic wounds. The test assesses different markers in a rapid manner, allowing practitioners to reliably evaluate healing progress and detect any potential complications. The team will use their grant to de-risk their innovation through further clinical testing and validation studies.

Adaptyv Biosystems, an EPFL start-up project specialising in antibody screening
Antibodies are a powerful tool and in fact, they make up a greater part of the drug development work done by pharmaceutical and biomedical companies. Six of the top ten selling drugs worldwide are antibody-based. The process of identifying new antibodies is key to being able to combat different diseases such as viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. Unfortunately, the current process for testing the efficacy of new antibodies is slow, expensive, and difficult with a failure rate of around 88%.
Adaptyv Biosystems is developing a protein-engineering platform using so-called cell-free systems on highly automated nanofluidic platforms. This technology is quicker, cheaper, and offers higher quality data on the performance of potential antibodies. The team will use their grant to continue the development of their platform as they move towards commercialisation.