CHF 40,000 for safe gene delivery into the retina, innovative prosthetic sockets, and wheelchairs with steering-by-leaning
27.01.2025
EVis Bioscience, SoftSocket, and Versive were selected at Venture Kick's first financial and entrepreneurial support stage. Their projects develop a next-generation non-viral vehicle for safe gene delivery into the retina; self-adjustable prosthetic socket that’s more affordable and adaptable than conventional prosthetics, specially designed for active users and children's growth; and transform wheelchair navigation much like carving revolutionized skiing.
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 EVis Bioscience: Prof. Gianfranco Vento, Dr. Elita Montanari, and Tommaso Caselli
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 SoftSocket: Co-Founders Cara Ammann and Lisa-Marie Frühauf
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 Versive: CEO Reto Togni and CTO Stefan Villiger
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EVis Bioscience: next-gen safe gene delivery into the retina
Gene therapy is changing the future of medicine, receiving the first FDA approval for eye disease in 2017. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is the most efficient vector for delivering genes to the eye. However, it displays relevant drawbacks/limits that may render the treatment ineffective.
EVis Bioscience developed a next-generation non-viral vehicle for safe gene delivery into the retina. Founded by Dr. Elita Montanari, Prof. Gianfranco Vento, and Tommaso Caselli, EVis Bioscience spun out of ETH Zürich in June 2024.
SoftSocket: Creating innovative, adaptable prosthetic sockets designed for sports and children's growth
Conventional prosthetics are uncomfortable, expensive, and rigid, making them unsuitable for sports and unable to adapt to children's growth. They often require extensive customization and can pose safety risks during physical activities. As a result, only 25% of individuals with upper limb differences have or regularly use prostheses.
SoftSocket's innovation is a soft, breathable, and self-adjustable prosthetic socket that’s more affordable and adaptable than conventional prosthetics, specially designed for active users and children's growth. Behind this innovation are Cara Ammann, a biomedical engineer, and Lisa-Marie Frühauf, a master’s student in entrepreneurship. Along with their team, they are addressing a market of 26 million people worldwide, projected to grow to 50 million by 2050.
The Venture kick fund will be allocated to advanced product development and comprehensive product testing, allowing us to ensure that our prosthetic socket delivers optimal comfort, safety, and performance for our users before its market launch.
Versive: Moving Paradigms in Wheelchairs with Steering-by-Leaning
Manual wheelchair users expend up to 1/3 of their energy on one-handed braking just to maintain direction while moving forward. This method is inefficient, frustrating, and poses significant health risks.
Versive's steering-by-leaning technology transforms wheelchair navigation much like carving revolutionized skiing. It enables users to control direction without braking, using intuitive upper-body movements. By leaning to one side, users turn to that side; sitting upright keeps them moving straight. The result is a more efficient, enjoyable, and natural experience.
Versive originated from ETH Zürich, founded by Dr. Reto Togni and Stefan Villiger. Their combined expertise in movement science, design, and engineering is dedicated to revolutionizing manual mobility for over 80 million users worldwide.
The Venture Kick funding will accelerate product development towards finalization and help establish a strong, recognizable brand.
Gene therapy is changing the future of medicine, receiving the first FDA approval for eye disease in 2017. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is the most efficient vector for delivering genes to the eye. However, it displays relevant drawbacks/limits that may render the treatment ineffective.
EVis Bioscience developed a next-generation non-viral vehicle for safe gene delivery into the retina. Founded by Dr. Elita Montanari, Prof. Gianfranco Vento, and Tommaso Caselli, EVis Bioscience spun out of ETH Zürich in June 2024.
SoftSocket: Creating innovative, adaptable prosthetic sockets designed for sports and children's growth
Conventional prosthetics are uncomfortable, expensive, and rigid, making them unsuitable for sports and unable to adapt to children's growth. They often require extensive customization and can pose safety risks during physical activities. As a result, only 25% of individuals with upper limb differences have or regularly use prostheses.
SoftSocket's innovation is a soft, breathable, and self-adjustable prosthetic socket that’s more affordable and adaptable than conventional prosthetics, specially designed for active users and children's growth. Behind this innovation are Cara Ammann, a biomedical engineer, and Lisa-Marie Frühauf, a master’s student in entrepreneurship. Along with their team, they are addressing a market of 26 million people worldwide, projected to grow to 50 million by 2050.
The Venture kick fund will be allocated to advanced product development and comprehensive product testing, allowing us to ensure that our prosthetic socket delivers optimal comfort, safety, and performance for our users before its market launch.
Versive: Moving Paradigms in Wheelchairs with Steering-by-Leaning
Manual wheelchair users expend up to 1/3 of their energy on one-handed braking just to maintain direction while moving forward. This method is inefficient, frustrating, and poses significant health risks.
Versive's steering-by-leaning technology transforms wheelchair navigation much like carving revolutionized skiing. It enables users to control direction without braking, using intuitive upper-body movements. By leaning to one side, users turn to that side; sitting upright keeps them moving straight. The result is a more efficient, enjoyable, and natural experience.
Versive originated from ETH Zürich, founded by Dr. Reto Togni and Stefan Villiger. Their combined expertise in movement science, design, and engineering is dedicated to revolutionizing manual mobility for over 80 million users worldwide.
The Venture Kick funding will accelerate product development towards finalization and help establish a strong, recognizable brand.