Every single cancer tumor is unique. “How it develops is different and how it needs to be treated is different,” says Ata Tuna Ciftlik, co-founder and CEO of Lunaphore Technologies. The EPFL start-up makes personalized cancer treatment possible with LabSat, which takes tissue analysis to the next level. Founded in 2014, Lunaphore just raised more than CHF 5 million and has eyes on the booming medtech market in China.
The Swiss start-up behind the next generation in cancer treatment
Every single cancer tumor is unique. “How it develops is different and how it needs to be treated is different,” says Ata Tuna Ciftlik, co-founder and CEO of Lunaphore Technologies. The EPFL start-up makes personalized cancer treatment possible with LabSat, which takes tissue analysis to the next level. Founded in 2014, Lunaphore just raised more than CHF 5 million and has eyes on the booming medtech market in China.
Quantum computing: leaping out of the lab and into our lives
As IBM and Google compete to dominate quantum computing, many wonder what this growing field has to offer the world. According to James Wootton, researcher at IBM Research in Zurich, quantum computing can solve science and business problems that regular computing cannot. The IBM Q Network is working with Fortune 500 companies to advance the field, and last month IBM announced the first IBM Quantum Computation Center in New York.
Meet the world’s largest e-ferry
Ellen, the world’s largest electric ferry, sets a record for how long it can go without a recharge. The e-ferry is powered by specialized Swiss Leclanché lithium-ion batteries.
A glimpse into the world’s largest, most powerful electric ferry
There are many electric ferries being rolled out, but none are quite like Ellen. Using only clean energy generated from wind turbines, the e-ferry is funded by the European Commission and powered by lithium-ion batteries from Swiss firm Leclanché. CNNMoney Switzerland was invited on board the record-breaking vessel in Denmark for an exclusive look at its design and to talk about how Ellen could shape the future of electric transport.
LiFi technology may be the answer to the dangers of 5G
Implementing 5G could push Switzerland past its allowed limit for radio waves. “You need ten times more antennas, ten times more power than with 4G,” says Suat Topsu, inventor and CEO of Erganeo. His solution is a new version of LiFi, a technology that uses LED light to transmit data safely, which may significantly reduce the number of antennas needed for 5G.
German tech start-up waiting for a “yes” from the Swiss
After the 2008 financial crisis, the shipping industry took a hard hit. SkySails CEO Stephan Wrage saw an opportunity for his special technology: using massive kites to propel ships and produce electrical power. “We’re sold out for next year, for the first time ever,” he says. Wrage goes on to explain why competition makes him happy and why Switzerland, which has said “no” many times, could really benefit from their technology.
How Swiss start-ups can benefit from India’s health-tech boom
Swissnex India sees the rise of India’s medtech sector as potentially advantageous to Swiss start-ups. But the relationship could be mutually beneficial, says Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan, principal scientific adviser to India’s government: “There’s a substantial fire in the belly in India, and there’s a substantial capability in Switzerland.”
SBB needs foreign workers to stay on track, says its CEO
Access to the EU and the free movement of people are high on the priority list for the outgoing CEO of SBB, Andreas Meyer. When it comes to internal competition, however, he’s “absolutely convinced” that it doesn’t help consumers. His bets for the future are more on digitalization of the so-called mobility chains.
How Switzerland plans to stay ahead of the world’s mobility competition
From trains to buses to e-scooters, SBB and Lucerne-based Axon Vibe explain how they plan to integrate all forms of Swiss mobility under one app. While their new platform integrates Google Maps, Axon Vibe insists that it will treat data privacy in a “totally different way.” And it hopes this app will be a hit in foreign markets, too.
A possible end to plastic as we know it
The World Economic Forum has called bioplastic one of the top 10 emerging technologies of 2019. Swiss start-up Bloom Biorenewables wants to replace petroleum—one of the key elements of plastic—with a greener, more sustainable option. Co-founders Remy Buser and Florent Héroguel are combining chemistry with technology to find a petroleum alternative that will put a dent in our carbon footprint.
Swiss start-up Teralytics wants to improve your commute
The struggle to get around crowded cities has given rise to on-demand mobility options like bike sharing and electric scooters. “We’re at the cusp of massive transformation,” says Alastair MacLeod, CEO of Teralytics. The Swiss start-up uses data from tracking mobile phones to help cities around the world keep up with the changes and better accommodate passengers. And the company has just secured $17.5 million to help make sure your ride is there when you need it.
Swisspod: fast as a plane, convenient as a train—but do we need it?
By 2035 Swisspod’s hyperloop technology could get you from Zurich to Geneva in just 20 minutes. CEO Denis Tudor is moving ahead on the project with some valuable advice from Elon Musk. But he still needs to convince the Swiss government, which has the late Swissmetro project fresh on its mind.
CES award opens doors to China for Swiss robot company Rovenso
In our monthly Swissnex edition of Tech Talk, Thomas Estier, co-founder and CEO of Rovenso, says a key to tapping into the coveted Chinese market is to get the attention of partners there. That’s just what happened when the Swiss robot company was awarded an innovation prize at CES Asia last month. No deals have been signed yet, but thanks to the award Estier says Rovenso now has access to investors he couldn’t easily approach before.
Swiss start-ups wow the Chinese at CES Asia 2019
This month’s swissnex catch-up takes us to China and CES Asia, where Swiss tech made quite an impression, winning six CES Innovation Awards. On this week’s Tech Talk, swissnex CEO Felix Moesner walks us through having a front-row seat to the action.
