CHF 40,000 for interceptor drones, next-gen quantum computers, and a breakthrough edible hydrogel platform
27.11.2025
CDDS, Qendra, and TUUS were selected at the second financial and entrepreneurial support stage of Venture Kick. Their projects develop autonomous interceptor drones with real-time vision, reinforcement learning, and ultra-low-latency control to detect and neutralize threats; provide a dedicated control system that bridges the classical and quantum worlds; and build a breakthrough edible hydrogel platform for constant release of active compounds.
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 CDDS' interceptor drone
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 QENDRA: CEO Dr. Martin Stadler and COO Dr. Ferdinand Felder
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 TUUS Nutrition: Co-founders CTO Pietro Nasturzio and CEO Tiziano Caldara
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CDDS: Drones to protect life and infrastructure
The rapid spread of small, fast, and affordable drones creates urgent security risks for critical infrastructure and crowded urban spaces. Existing counter-UAS measures are too slow or intrusive to protect people and assets reliably.
CDDS AG, founded by experienced Swiss deep-tech entrepreneurs and robotics experts, develops autonomous, lightweight interceptor drones that detect, track, and kinetically neutralize hostile drones with real-time vision, reinforcement learning, and ultra-low-latency control. The global counter-UAS market is projected to exceed USD 3 billion within a few years, offering strong growth potential.
The company will utilize the Venture Kick funding to enhance CDDS’s visibility and recruit top engineers with expertise in drones, PX4, and/or ROS, thereby accelerating product development and preparing for large-scale field deployments.
QENDRA: Powering the next generation of quantum computers
Quantum computers will revolutionize drug discovery, logistics, and climate modelling by harnessing quantum mechanics. Trapped-ion and neutral-atom quantum computers are among the most advanced, but they lack reliable, scalable control systems.
QENDRA provides the missing link: a dedicated control system that bridges the classical and quantum worlds. Built from technology developed in the trapped ion quantum information group at ETH Zurich, their MVP offers unmatched efficiency and rapid setup times. CEO Dr. Martin Stadler, COO Dr. Ferdinand Felder, and lead developer Chidzahi Mabritto, together with a team of scientists and engineers, are bringing this innovation to market. With growing demand from research groups and startups, QENDRA is poised to serve a fast-expanding global quantum computing market.
The Venture Kick funds will help QENDRA engage new customers, build a solid IP strategy, and advance CE certification of its MVP. qendratech.com
Tuus: Enabling athletes to perform at their best today, and empowering broader health solutions tomorrow
Endurance athletes often rely on energy gels that trigger sugar spikes, stomach distress, and uneven performance. Tuus addresses this by introducing a controlled-release hydrogel that ensures stable energy delivery without compromising health.
Founded by chemists Pietro Nasturzio and Tiziano Caldara, Tuus combines expertise in materials science, nutrition, and drug delivery. Supported by advisors from academia, sports medicine, industry, and design, the team has built a breakthrough edible hydrogel platform for constant release of active compounds. The first application is a next-generation energy gel, now entering clinical trials with athletes, marking a decisive step toward healthier endurance fueling. Beyond sports, the same platform can be applied in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, where controlled release has the potential to transform health and well-being.
Tuus will use the Venture Kick funds to advance customer testing with precise glucose monitoring equipment, prototype for industrial integration with manufacturing partners, cover licensing contract negotiation fees with lawyers, and support investor networking.
The rapid spread of small, fast, and affordable drones creates urgent security risks for critical infrastructure and crowded urban spaces. Existing counter-UAS measures are too slow or intrusive to protect people and assets reliably.
CDDS AG, founded by experienced Swiss deep-tech entrepreneurs and robotics experts, develops autonomous, lightweight interceptor drones that detect, track, and kinetically neutralize hostile drones with real-time vision, reinforcement learning, and ultra-low-latency control. The global counter-UAS market is projected to exceed USD 3 billion within a few years, offering strong growth potential.
The company will utilize the Venture Kick funding to enhance CDDS’s visibility and recruit top engineers with expertise in drones, PX4, and/or ROS, thereby accelerating product development and preparing for large-scale field deployments.
QENDRA: Powering the next generation of quantum computers
Quantum computers will revolutionize drug discovery, logistics, and climate modelling by harnessing quantum mechanics. Trapped-ion and neutral-atom quantum computers are among the most advanced, but they lack reliable, scalable control systems.
QENDRA provides the missing link: a dedicated control system that bridges the classical and quantum worlds. Built from technology developed in the trapped ion quantum information group at ETH Zurich, their MVP offers unmatched efficiency and rapid setup times. CEO Dr. Martin Stadler, COO Dr. Ferdinand Felder, and lead developer Chidzahi Mabritto, together with a team of scientists and engineers, are bringing this innovation to market. With growing demand from research groups and startups, QENDRA is poised to serve a fast-expanding global quantum computing market.
The Venture Kick funds will help QENDRA engage new customers, build a solid IP strategy, and advance CE certification of its MVP. qendratech.com
Tuus: Enabling athletes to perform at their best today, and empowering broader health solutions tomorrow
Endurance athletes often rely on energy gels that trigger sugar spikes, stomach distress, and uneven performance. Tuus addresses this by introducing a controlled-release hydrogel that ensures stable energy delivery without compromising health.
Founded by chemists Pietro Nasturzio and Tiziano Caldara, Tuus combines expertise in materials science, nutrition, and drug delivery. Supported by advisors from academia, sports medicine, industry, and design, the team has built a breakthrough edible hydrogel platform for constant release of active compounds. The first application is a next-generation energy gel, now entering clinical trials with athletes, marking a decisive step toward healthier endurance fueling. Beyond sports, the same platform can be applied in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, where controlled release has the potential to transform health and well-being.
Tuus will use the Venture Kick funds to advance customer testing with precise glucose monitoring equipment, prototype for industrial integration with manufacturing partners, cover licensing contract negotiation fees with lawyers, and support investor networking.