The Future of Health Grant (FoHG), an acceleration programme for digital health innovation powered by CSS and the EPFL Innovation Park, is going from strength to strength with a record 213 applications, multi-party pilot projects enabling promising startups to test their solutions, and the addition of 4 influential partners, CSEM, Elca, MedKap and Réseau Delta, to its network of experts.

The 8 new startups were selected on 27 August 2024 in the presence of the programme’s cofounders, CSS and the EPFL Innovation Park.

 

FoHG boosted by two major advances:

  • Tailored support and real-life pilot projects: The startups benefit from tailored support provided by expert partners. Some will have the opportunity to trial and fine-tune their innovation in a real-life setting thanks to pilot projects set up and organised by the FoHG.
  • New strategic partners: CSEM, an internationally renowned research institute in the field of digital health, will support startups in prototyping hardware solutions. Elca, Switzerland’s leading provider of tailored IT solutions, with more than 2,200 employees, will supply its digital development expertise. MedKap, an organization that supports investment in digital healthcare, will provide initial financial support to startups in the programme. Réseau Delta, the largest family doctor network in French-speaking Switzerland, numbering around 1,000 members, is contributing its in-depth knowledge of doctor-patient relationships.

In addition, the FoHG is keen to share the insights and lessons gained from this rich ecosystem on a monthly basis, thus encouraging a constant dialogue between the stakeholders in the healthcare sector.

These new initiatives allow the FoHG to continue to position itself as a key catalyst for digital health innovation, offering startups a springboard to success.

 

8 startups selected from 213 international applications

The FoHG received a record-breaking 213 applications in response to its 5th call for projects. These included submissions from around 100 international startups, demonstrating the programme’s growing reputation abroad.

 

Level 1:

Digehealth (Zurich)

Digehealth offers a 24/7 monitoring device for bowel obstruction. The tool includes a wearable device that collects vital data, a mobile app, and a dashboard using AI to detect obstructions early.

Même Pas Peur (Lausanne)

Même Pas Peur is a platform offering customizable AI-driven training programs for managing children with type 1 diabetes. The tool enables quick and secure sharing of professionally validated training videos to effectively enhance caregivers’ skills.

StudentsPool (Lausanne)

StudentsPool is an online platform connecting students with healthcare institutions for short-term work assignments. The startup fills a market gap by offering new opportunities for students and a pool of candidates for institutions.

 

Level 2:

Bonescreen (Munich)

Bonescreen enhances bone disease care by developing SpineQ, an AI-based software that uses existing CT scans for proactive bone health screening. It integrates seamlessly into existing medical systems to establish a new standard in osteoporosis screening.

DeepPSY (Zurich)

DeepPSY provides AI-enhanced EEG and ECG analyses to help psychiatrists deliver optimal treatment to each patient. It is the first psychiatric solution based on EEG/ECG approved in Europe and Switzerland.

Enhance-d (Bern)

Enhance-d is a digital hub for diabetes self-management that integrates vital data such as glucose levels and insulin usage into an app. Enhance-d offers users a space to share their successes, receive support, and get feedback from their doctors.

 

Level 3:

Precisia Care (Lausanne)

Precisia Care SA has developed an AI-powered platform that optimizes healthcare operations and personalizes patient care. It is currently in the pilot phase with promising results in major Swiss hospitals.

Zoundream (Basel)

Zoundream uses AI and sound recognition to interpret and translate newborns’ cries. In addition to strengthening the bond between the child and parents and reducing their anxiety, the tool enables newborn health monitoring by professionals and the early identification of pathologies.

 

Details of this programme can be found at www.future-of-health.org

The press release is available at www.css.ch and www.epfl-innovationpark.ch

 

More information Isabelle Tasset, CSS Media Spokesperson

isabelle.tasset@css.ch

Lan Zuo Gillet, EPFL Innovation Park

zuo@epfl-innovationpark.ch

 

Future of Health Grant – in brief

Launched in 2022 by CSS and the EPFL Innovation Park, this programme, which supports innovations in digital health, is distinguished by its practical approach. Each start-up benefits from tailored coaching and monitoring, enabling it to move forward as quickly as possible while optimising its resources. Around 20 start-ups are chosen each year to receive support totalling up to CHF 90,000, without any dilution of ownership. The FoHG draws on the expertise of its founders and of its unique network of partners composed of key players in the Swiss healthcare industry. This ecosystem stimulates the exchange of knowledge and experiences that is essential to agile, collaborative innovation. At present, the partners are: Confinis, Elca, HE-ARC, Hôpital de la Tour, La Source Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé, Microsoft, Pfizer, Publicis Sapient, Réseau Delta, Takeda, Unisanté, Zühlke and Vaudoise Assurance.

CSS Group – in brief

The CSS Group, headquartered in Lucerne, was founded in 1899. This long-standing company insures around 1.70 million people and, with a premium volume of around CHF 6.98 billion, is one of the country’s leading health and property insurers. It is the leader in basic insurance: 1.53 million people put their trust in CSS, which is always close to its insured persons thanks to its 101 agencies throughout Switzerland and around 2900 employees. As a health partner, CSS helps its clients take control of their health and accompanies them on their journey to staying healthy, actively taking steps to improve their health or learning to live with illness. At the same time, it supports the development of new, useful and highly effective healthcare solutions that will benefit both insured persons and the healthcare system. All with the aim of building a system that is fit for the future.

EPFL Innovation Park – in brief

EPFL Innovation Park is the main hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Western Switzerland. It supports ground-breaking innovation and technology transfer from EPFL and other regional academic partners. It is a vibrant workplace that hosts 200 high-tech start-ups, SMEs and the R&D centres of large companies and their 2,500 employees. Over the years, EPFL Innovation Park has developed a series of unique start-up training, incubation and acceleration programmes in collaboration with a dynamic community