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ACCELERATE – Fueling start-up success
CSEM’s ACCELERATE program has been designed to nurture cutting-edge ideas and propel them to market readiness.
The program plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and advancing technology. It offers comprehensive support through its two core modules: Innogrant, which develops internal entrepreneurial expertise, and Booster Grant, which extends resources to external entrepreneurs. Together, these modules enable entrepreneurs to transform groundbreaking ideas into tangible, impactful solutions. In 2024, the program supported six new start-ups including Visienco and Actival.
Empowering start-ups for a brighter future
Since its inception, CSEM has created more than 50 start-ups, many of which have achieved remarkable success and remain active in today’s markets. By providing funding, technical expertise, and strategic partnerships, the program has contributed to job creation and significant economic growth in Switzerland. Its emphasis on fostering innovative and sustainable technologies has not only advanced industries but also addressed critical societal challenges.
Visienco's advances drug development
Visienco co-founders: Lucie Jandet, Edwige Guinet, and Jonas Goldowsky
Transforming research with organoid sorting
Developing new medicines is a costly and time-intensive process, with an average price tag of 1.3 billion USD to bring a single drug to market. Scientists have turned to 3D, tiny lab-grown replicas of human organs, known as organoids, which closely mimic how our bodies respond to drugs, offering results that are more reliable while reducing the need for animal testing. However, sorting these delicate tissues is labor-intensive, error-prone, and inefficient. Visienco addresses this challenge with its groundbreaking automated system that uses advanced technology to sort organoids quickly and with the required care. This innovation not only saves time and cuts costs but also reduces reliance on animal models whilst accelerating the development of life-saving medicines.
How CSEM helped make it possible
ACCELERATE’s Innogrant module was instrumental in Visienco’s success. CSEM's long-standing knowledge of the organoid field and expertise in optics and microsystems allowed the team to refine their technology’s design while facilitating connections in the pharmaceutical industry. Reflecting on the collaboration, Lucie Jandet, co-founder of Visienco, credits the program with their success: “Being part of CSEM was key to our journey. The combined technological and Intellectual Property (IP) expertise, along with access to a vast network of potential partners and clients, proved invaluable. Collaborating with our colleagues at CSEM broadened our perspective and strengthened our approach to overcoming technical challenges.”
Achievements and industry impact
Located in central Switzerland, Visienco’s work is already making waves. In 2024, it was awarded 50,000 Swiss Francs from the Venture Kick program, recognizing their innovative contributions to drug development. Additionally, the company earned second place at the *zünder accelerator, a competition for innovative start-ups, and won a prize of 7,500 Swiss francs. With the global organoid market expected to grow, Visienco is well-positioned to lead the way in revolutionizing the way researchers develop new drugs and treatments.
Actival's revolution in dental alignment
Actival team
A breakthrough with active aligners
Actival has emerged as a pioneer in the orthodontics sector, addressing common issues associated with clear dental aligners, such as bacterial buildup, cavities, and bad breath. Their revolutionary "Active Aligners" incorporate CSEM’s patented 3D-printed microfluidic technology, which enables the slow release of beneficial liquids to the surface of the teeth, such as antibacterial, fluoride, calcium, and a refreshing taste. This unique approach not only improves oral hygiene by removing bacterial buildup but also strengthens teeth through enamel remineralization.
Driving Actival’s success
The success of Actival's Active Aligners is a consequence of the collaborative efforts enabled by the Innogrant module. Through this initiative, Nikola Kalentics, CEO and founder of Actival, worked alongside his CSEM colleagues to refine every detail of the technology. Reflecting on this partnership, Kalentics shared that “Working hand-in-hand with CSEM has been a transformative journey. Together, we have harnessed cutting-edge expertise in microfluidic technology and large-scale production to create a groundbreaking product that not only overcomes common challenges with clear aligners but also establishes new benchmarks in oral hygiene and dental care. This collective effort has turned our vision into reality, driving innovation and excellence at every stage.”
Recognition and market potential
Actival’s journey has fostered achievements. The company was a finalist in the prestigious 2024 BCN Innovation Prize, highlighting the immense potential of its technology. In December 2024, it also secured 150,000 Swiss francs from Venture Kick to fund the pre-launch of Active Aligners. With international patents protecting its technology, Actival is poised to enter the global market for clear aligners, which is projected to grow.