Host Partner

   
 

The State of Vaud is one of the main centers of research and innovation in Switzerland, with the largest campus in the country and several research centers as well as industries of international reputation, particularly in life sciences, micro-nanotechnologies, ICT and cleantech.

Through its support to the Healthtech Summit 2018, the State of Vaud aims to highlight the potential of its state-of-the-art industries and start-ups, as well as the very attractive economic and scientific conditions in the region.

The Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation (SPEI) supports companies that are located in the State of Vaud, especially those involved in the sectors of advanced technology and industry. SPEI advises entrepreneurs and puts them in contact with organisations that are appropriate to their specific needs. SPEI can also provide direct financial support.

     
     
Silver Partner    
     
 

CleantechAlps, Western Switzerland’s cleantech cluster

CleantechAlps is the platform dedicated to the development of the clean technology sector in western Switzerland. The region’s gateway to the cleantech field, its purpose is to bring together all the research organisations, industries and services that contribute to the protection and conservation of natural resources and the production of renewable energy. CleantechAlps is the region’s driving force for the development of the sector, promoting interaction between businesses and players in the field, and increasing their visibility. www.cleantech-alps.com/en

 

     
     
Industry Support Partners    
     
     
 

Alp ICT is the cluster for digital innovation in Western Switzerland, which connects the various players in the tech ecosystem (companies, R&D, institutional and financial players). The cluster focuses in particular on the digital transition of SMEs, presenting the opportunities offered by the SwissMade technological innovations. Alp ICT offers information, promotion and networking services through targeted events around cutting-edge technologies emerging from the Swiss digital ecosystem. Thus, the cluster aims to stimulate the economic development of Switzerland, by reinforcing the predominant position of its industries in terms of innovation. Alp ICT was initiated in 2008 by the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva, Valais and Jura, with the support of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.

     
     
  BioAlps is the life science cluster of Western Switzerland and notably represents all that is biotechnology and medical technology. Dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation in the sector, BioAlps is one of four clusters in Switzerland (BioAlps, Basel Area, Greater Zurich Area and Biopolo Ticino). Formed as an association, BioAlps is composed of cantonal members and academic and research institutions in Western Switzerland. It is supported by the Cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchatel, Geneva, Valais, Jura and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
     
     
  Biopôle is a life sciences community bringing together industry and academia, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It offers a world-class combination of infrastructure, added value services, living space and community engagement where partners can thrive and bring science to life.  While it is open to all therapeutic areas, the main focus of Biopôle is on developing innovative solutions in the fields of oncology, immunology and personalised medicine. These solutions can cover a wide spectrum, from diagnostics to therapeutics, medical devices, nutrition and digital health. Biopôle works with both industry and academia to ensure that there is communal knowledge and appreciation of what projects they are pursuing and where there might be opportunities for synergies and collaboration. Biopôle SA, the management and promotion organisation for the park, was established in 2004 as a limited company by the public authorities of the Canton of Vaud. The organisation is led by an executive team and Board of Directors with an extensive track-record in life sciences. www.biopole.ch
     
     
 

With its 100 Members, BAS (Business Angels Switzerland), is the oldest business angels club in the country. It supports startup companies through capital financing. On top of their time and money, members also share expertise, know-how and personal contacts with the companies they invest in. BAS members financed more than 120 startups within the framework of the club. BAS organises 20 events each year in Zürich and Lausanne or Geneva area.

     
     
  Located on the south side of the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL Innovation Park is integrated into the core of a scientific community made up of 329 laboratories and more than 10’000 students. Partner companies located at EPFL Innovation Park are therefore part of a vibrant campus providing a unique environment for exchanging ideas and knowledge. This distinct advantage will pave the way for tomorrow’s successes. For new or experienced entrepreneurs wishing to have access to research institutions in the Canton of Vaud or Lausanne area, the EPFL Innovation Park can offer unparalleled exposure to the wide range of new technologies being developed in the research units of the EPFL, UNIL and the CHUV, all in a spirit of scientific collaboration.
     
     
 

Micronarc is the dedicated micro-nanotech communication platform created by the governments of the seven cantons that constitute Western Switzerland (Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud). The executive office is the FSRM in Neuchâtel, in collaboration with the GIM-CH in Lausanne. Micronarc is the dedicated micro-nanotech communication platform created by the governments of the seven cantons that constitute Western Switzerland (Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud). The executive office is the FSRM in Neuchâtel, in collaboration with the GIM-CH in Lausanne.

     
     
 

StartLab is the first life-sciences dedicated incubator in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It offers 700 m2 of fully equipped laboratories and 300 m2 of shared offices, as a new home for 10-12 start-up companies of 35-40 persons in total. It has been designed to maximize the chances of success for aspiring business creators. A key feature is a “pay as you play” flexible pricing model, which requires less funds to get started, reduces risk for investors and lowers dilution for entrepreneurs. Based at Biopôle, a leading Swiss life sciences park, StartLab’s founding founding sponsors include Retraites Populaires, Losinger Marazzi, Teo Jakob and Milian. Strategic partners are the Canton of Vaud, Innovaud, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV).

     
     
   

Venturelab started with this mission in 2004. Ever since we have reviewed tens of thousands of business ideas and have trained thousands of startups. Last year 69 Venturelab alumni made it to the TOP 100 Swiss startups. Today our Venture Leaders like Abionic, BioVersys, Covagen, Climeworks, Doodle, GetYourGuide, HouseTrip, L.E.S.S., QualySense, Poken or InSphero are truly building world-class startups. Swiss Made. Supported by Venturelab.

     
     
 

Venture Kick was launched in 2007 with the vision to double the number of spin-offs at Swiss universities, to accelerate the time-to-market and to raise the attractiveness of these young companies to professional investors and industry partners. Since beginning, Venture Kick supported 522 startup projects with 21,000,000 CHF start capital. These startups created 4,748 active jobs and raised 1,808,000,000 CHF.