BOOSTING DIGITAL HEALTH INNOVATIONS !
Bring your digital health project to the new level thanks to fund and expertise by CSS, EPFL Innovation Park and their networks
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 turn their ideas into reality.
CSS is committed to supporting early-stage startups as they work to bring their innovative ideas to market. Our grant program is designed to provide financial 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.
In addition to the grant money, startups also benefit from human expertise in the form of: coaches, mentors and on-demand experts for specific technical needs. This support is invaluable as startups work to bring their products and services to the marketplace.
WHO CAN APPLY?
The 3-level grant program will benefit all early stage digital health projects, from the individual PhD still in a lab and wannabe-entrepreneur, to seed-stage startup building its solution.
LEVEL 1
THE “IGNITION” GRANT
10’000 CHF
Pitch your startup idea in front of a jury composed of CSS and EPFL Innovation Park representatives, Innovation experts, healthcare providers from Switzerland, and get CHF 10’000 without equity or interest to support and kick your venture idea! 10 projects awarded per year.
LEVEL 2
THE “POC” GRANT
30’000 CHF
Present your startup, business plan, in front of a jury composed of investors, head of innovation from corporates and healthcare providers and get CHF 30’000 without any equity or interest. This grant is here to help you to develop your product, prototype, creating a proof of concept. 5 startups awarded per year.
LEVEL 3
THE “VALIDATION” GRANT
50’000 CHF
Last stage before accessing to the CSS Corporate Venture Fund. Get the chance to get backed and supported by the number one basic insurance company in Switzerland with a grant of CHF 50’000. This grant supports the development of a user validation or clinical trials in collaboration with users and healthcare professionals. 2 startups awarded per year.
Born from a joined initiative from EPFL Innovation Park and CSS insurance, this grant aims to provide to the startup the needed small boost to better define your business model, create your proof of concept, and finally validate the startup with healthcare providers.
The grant is divided in 3 phases according to your current state of development, you can join any time for any stages.
Digital health startups includes wearable devices, mobile health, telehealth, health information technology, telemedicine and any startups that enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery and to make medicine more personalized and precise for a better future.
Grant money: up to 90'000CHF for your startup
Divided in 3 phases, 10K, 30K and 50K, this grant money is here to support your project, develop your prototype, MVP, and validate it with healthcare service providers like hospitals and clinics. We put you in contact with them to implement your service and product directly in the healthcare ecosystem!
Tailored coaching and training
Practical professional services
In addition to the grant money and coaching, with the wide range of experts in the pool of EPFL Innovation Park and CSS, we can help you by providing you a C-X-O as a service. Need a CFO to manage the financial aspects of the startup? You need a Chief Product Officer to complete your MVP ? We think we can borrow it to you.
Mentor & strategic partners
Professionals from the healthcare industry give feedback on the reality of the market, the application of the solutions and open their network.
Dates, process, selection, other information
The Future of Health Grant is an equity-free 4-month program that provides bridges between startup maturity tiers so that they receive the funding they need according to how they progress.
The program will help digital health startups boost their innovation by providing them with the resources and funding they need to progress. The program is designed to be flexible, so that startups can receive the funding they need as they progress through the different stages of their development. This will allow them to retain control of their companies and continue to innovate and grow without diluting their ownership.
The program is a great opportunity for digital health startups to get the funding they need to boost their innovation and growth.
Level 1 Grant
- Application Close: 15-01-2023
- IProgram start date: February 2023
- ,Duration: 3 months
- Equity free!
- NFree to apply and join
Level 2 Grant
- Application Close: 15-01-2023
- IProgram start date: February 2023
- ,Duration: 4 months
- Equity free!
- NFree to apply and join
Level 3 Grant
- Application Close: 15-08-2023
- IProgram start date: September 2023
- ,Duration: 6 months
- Equity free!
- NFree to apply and join
The CSS Group, headquartered in Lucerne, was founded in 1899. This long-standing company insures 1.68 million people and, with a premium volume of around CHF 6.55 billion, is the country’s leading health insurer. Committed to keeping pace with the times and the expectations of its clients, CSS has now become a digital health pioneer. CSS created the CSS Health Lab in 2015 in collaboration with ETH Zurich and the University of St. Gallen. In 2020, it launched SwissHealth Ventures, a fund that invests in start-ups with a mature product (Series A and B). This approach allows CSS to accompany its clients as a health partner which provides innovative solutions that benefit everyone.
The EPFL Innovation Park hosts technology driven companies in an inspiring environment. Startups can access cutting-edge research, a large network of dynamic entrepreneurs and established companies. 14 Buildings hosting more than 200 companies, creating 2500 jobs in Western Switzerland. We support these companies through hosting, acceleration programs, experts programs and collaboration programs.
The Future of Health program has partnered with some of the most famous names in the health industry and recognized academics from Western Switzerland to have a major impact on digital health. These industry experts have the will to achieve results and contribute their valuable networks to the success of the program. Their involvement will help ensure that the program is able to achieve its goals and deliver its promises. We are confident that with their help, we will be able to make a real difference in the lives of people around the world.
Behind the grant, meet the jury, organization committee, experts, mentors, and more…
The “Future of Health Grant” program is supported by senior health industry specialists who serve as coaches, mentors, and technical experts. These individuals have a wealth of 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.
Iohannès Bry
EPFL Innovation Park
Iohannès Bry
After a stint in an energy startup, Iohannes joined the EPFL Innovation Park in 2019 to organise the Innosuisse entrepreneurship trainings. He has since contributed to the success of various acceleration programmes and in 2020 took over the reins of the early stage startup incubator La Forge.
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?
If you have a startup project (incorporated or not) in Switzerland, and you are active in the domain of digital health, yes! It includes all the startups in the domains of mHealth, health information technology, wearable devices, telehealth/telemedicine, personalized medicine and more.
For which grant should I apply?
It depends the maturity of your project. Early stage project, for instance developping the first poc, doing the market research, creating your team, go for the first 10K grant.
If you are doing a V2 of your product, trying to attract the first curtomers go for the 30K grant.
If you want to validate your existing product with healthcare professionals, go for th 50K grant.
You can go to the first 10K to the second 30K and then to the 3rd 50K grant! We follow you along the way of the development of the startup.
Can I be a partner of the program/grant?
Yes! We would be happy to discuss, and we are open to collaborations with healthcare service providers, pharmaceutical industries or more. Contact us through the contact form.
I already have a startup coach, will I still be coached?
Yes! We have a pool of industry mentors and professional coaches that you can benefit in addition to the existing coaching program that you are part of.
Can I or should I apply for the 10K grant if I already have a mature startup?
It would be more relevant for you to go directly to the right maturity grant, or we will redirect your application to the right stage.
How many startups can receive this prize?
We fund 17 startups per year, maybe you will be the next one? Apply now!
What is digital health?
Digital health includes all the tehnologies related to health and managing data through a device. Wearable devices, mobile health, telehealth, health information technology, telemedicine, any startups that enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery and make medicine more personalized and precise for a better future.