Boosting Digital Health Innovations
Elevate your digital health project with funding and expertise from CSS, EPFL Innovation Park, and their extensive networks.
Supporting the Digital Health startups in Switzerland
Health is a fundamental human right, and digital health has the potential to transform how we deliver care, making it more patient-centered, efficient, and effective. In Switzerland, we are committed to supporting innovators who are developing digital health solutions that will shape the future of healthcare. We provide grants and access to expertise to help them realize their ideas.
The Ultimate Practical Program
Founded in 2022 by EPFL Innovation Park and CSS, the Future of Health Grant offers startups the financial and operational support they need at every stage—from concept inception to market validation. Beyond financial backing, the program offers access to a rich network of coaches, industry mentors, and paid specialists, also known as CxO as a Service (CxOaaS), who can augment the startup team. Together, we actively work with founders to accelerate growth through practical, hands-on solutions. The program bridges gaps in startup teams, ensuring personalized support through structured meetings, clear milestones, and continuous guidance.
Coaching
Health Innovations Professional Coaches
Mentoring
Experts from the Healthcare Industry
CxOaaS
Paid Specialists
Grants
Level 3: 50’000 CHF
Level 2: 30’000 CHF
Level 1: 10’000 CHF
CxOaaS, materials, services, etc.
Apply to Get Support
Who – The program is designed to support early-stage digital health projects, from individual PhDs still in a lab to seed-stage startups building their solution. These projects should have the potential to improve the Swiss healthcare system.
When – We have two cohorts per year. Here are the next dates:
Application Close: 31.01.2024
Program Start Date: March 2025
What – Our equity-free program provides assistance to startups at three different levels of maturity: idea level, MVP level, and market validation level. Startups can cumulate grants as they move through these levels. A steering committee makes the final decision on grant awards.
Equity Free
Free to Apply and Join
LEVEL 1
THE “IGNITION” GRANT
10’000 CHF
3-month Program
Get CHF 10’000 without equity or interest and 3-month access to program support to kickstart your venture idea! 5 projects are awarded per year.
LEVEL 2
THE “POC” GRANT
30’000 CHF
6-month Program
Get CHF 30’000 without equity or interest and 6-month access to program support to develop your product, prototype, and create a proof of concept. 5 startups are awarded per year.
LEVEL 3
THE “VALIDATION” GRANT
50’000 CHF
12-month Program
Get CHF 50’000 without equity or interest and 1-year access to program support to perform
user validation or clinical trials in collaboration healthcare professionals. 3 startups are awarded per year.
Founding Partners
CSS is a major health and property insurance company that covers 1.75 million people with a premium volume of around CHF 6.75 billion. Additionally, they support the development of new, effective healthcare solutions benefiting insured persons and the healthcare system.
The EPFL Innovation Park in Western Switzerland hosts 200 high-tech start-ups, SMEs, and R&D centers. it offers unique start-up training, incubation, and acceleration programs in collaboration with industry experts, investors, venture capitalists, and government agencies.
Supporting Partners
The Future of Health Grant program collaborates with leading health industry names and recognized academics from Western Switzerland to drive impactful digital health innovation. These experts bring commitment, valuable networks, and market knowledge to ensure the program achieves its ambitious goal of helping build a healthier future for all.
Program Team
The “Future of Health Grant” program is supported by senior health industry specialists who serve as coaches, mentors, and technical experts. These individuals have extensive experience in innovation management and bringing products to market. They help startups make the right decisions, avoid costly pitfalls, and share their industry knowledge and network. This expertise is invaluable to early-stage companies who are trying to navigate the complex landscape of the health industry. With the support of the “Future of Health Grant” program, these startups have a much greater chance of success.
Nicolas Loeillot
CSS
Nicolas Loeillot
Nicolas is a Tech Entrepreneur with a large experience in health, data, A.I. and internationalization. He is co-founder of Tech4Eva, the leading FemTech acceleration program in Europe. He serves as an InnoSuisse expert and joined CSS for New Business Models and Innovation.
Mathilde Durvy
EPFL Innovation Park
Mathilde Durvy
Mathilde has twenty years of experience in innovation, technology intelligence, and R&D. She currently works as an innovation manager at the EPFL Innovation Park. Previously, Mathilde worked for Cisco, leading different innovation initiatives. The programs under her supervision have supported thousands of intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs and received multiple industry awards. Mathilde holds a PhD in Wireless Communication from EPFL.
Jan-Niklas Kramer
CSS
Jan-Niklas Kramer
Jan-Niklas works as an innovation manager at CSS. He drives innovation for CSS in the healthcare market from idea conception to validation and market entry and is an expert in startup corporate collaborations. Before joining CSS in 2020, Jan-Niklas finished his PhD in business innovation at the University of St. Gallen.
FAQ
Still not decided if you should apply? We hope you will find an answer below
Am I eligible for this grant?
For which grant level should I apply?
If you are an early-stage project conducting market research and building your team, go for the Level 1, 10KCHF “ignition” grant.
If you are developing your first prototype and want to get it into the hands of initial users, go for the Level 2, 30KCHF “PoC” grant.
If you are ready to validate your existing product with healthcare professionals and secure your first clients, go for the Level 3, 50KCHF “validation” grant.
Pick the grant Level that seems the most appropriate for your startup, but don’t overthink it. We will redirect your application to the right Level as needed. If unsure, start with the lower level to be eligible for higher levels later and accumulate grants up to 90K CHF.
More mature startups should consider applying for Le Club.
Can I be a partner of the program/grant?
I already have a startup coach, will I still be coached?
Can I or should I apply for Level 1 of the grant if I already have a mature startup?
How many startups can receive this prize?
What is digital health?
Fondation EPFL Innovation Park
Bâtiment C, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland