CellX Biosolutions gets the CHF 150,000 Kick for bacteria-based innovations in chemical waste treatment
04.11.2024
Addressing the need for effective biological solutions, ETH spin-off CellX Biosolutions has obtained the final CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to advance its efficient bacterial degraders for CO2-free chemical degradation and enhance scalability for industrial applications.
 From left to right: Christian Engler (Engineering Lead), co-founder Geoffrey Besnier (COO), founder and CEO Dr. Estelle Clerc, Dr. Fabienne Kurt (Product development Lead)
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Industrial chemical by-products pose a global challenge, with conventional disposal methods such as incineration driving up costs and CO2 emissions. Current biological approaches also struggle with scalability and efficiency, highlighting the urgent need for improved waste management solutions.
ETH spin-off CellX Biosolutions addresses chemical pollution with high-performance bacterial degraders that enable CO2 emission-free degradation of industrial pollutants. Leveraging a microfluidic tool, CellX is able to identify unique bacteria of high degradation performance capable of degrading harmful chemicals, including PFAS and pharmaceuticals, even in remote environments. This sustainable approach offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional disposal methods.
The hazardous chemical waste treatment market is projected to reach USD 48 billion by 2027, driven by tightening environmental regulations and growing demand for sustainable solutions. CellX Biosolutions has strong potential in this space with its bacterial degraders for high-priority pollutants. With strong early customer traction, CellX aims to service an addressable market exceeding USD 1 billion, including large PFAS producers and pharmaceutical companies seeking eco-friendly waste management solutions.
CellX will allocate the CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to accelerate business and product development, contributing to its CHF 1.2 M pre-seed round, expected to close by the first quarter of 2025.
The team comprises Founder and CEO Dr. Estelle Clerc who holds a Ph.D. in microbiology, co-founder and COO Geoffrey Besnier, Product Lead Dr. Fabienne Kurt, and Engineering Lead Christian Engler, each bringing specialized expertise to the company.
“Venture Kick enabled CellX to reach key milestones: establishing partnerships, securing expert legal guidance, and gaining investor visibility. This support was essential for advancing our business and product development, helping us secure USD 1.2 million in non-dilutive funding since the program began in February 2024, and setting CellX for growth in the industry,” highlighted CEO Estelle Clerc.
From left to right: Christian Engler (Engineering Lead), co-founder Geoffrey Besnier (COO), founder and CEO Dr. Estelle Clerc, Dr. Fabienne Kurt (Product development Lead).
ETH spin-off CellX Biosolutions addresses chemical pollution with high-performance bacterial degraders that enable CO2 emission-free degradation of industrial pollutants. Leveraging a microfluidic tool, CellX is able to identify unique bacteria of high degradation performance capable of degrading harmful chemicals, including PFAS and pharmaceuticals, even in remote environments. This sustainable approach offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional disposal methods.
The hazardous chemical waste treatment market is projected to reach USD 48 billion by 2027, driven by tightening environmental regulations and growing demand for sustainable solutions. CellX Biosolutions has strong potential in this space with its bacterial degraders for high-priority pollutants. With strong early customer traction, CellX aims to service an addressable market exceeding USD 1 billion, including large PFAS producers and pharmaceutical companies seeking eco-friendly waste management solutions.
CellX will allocate the CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to accelerate business and product development, contributing to its CHF 1.2 M pre-seed round, expected to close by the first quarter of 2025.
The team comprises Founder and CEO Dr. Estelle Clerc who holds a Ph.D. in microbiology, co-founder and COO Geoffrey Besnier, Product Lead Dr. Fabienne Kurt, and Engineering Lead Christian Engler, each bringing specialized expertise to the company.
“Venture Kick enabled CellX to reach key milestones: establishing partnerships, securing expert legal guidance, and gaining investor visibility. This support was essential for advancing our business and product development, helping us secure USD 1.2 million in non-dilutive funding since the program began in February 2024, and setting CellX for growth in the industry,” highlighted CEO Estelle Clerc.
From left to right: Christian Engler (Engineering Lead), co-founder Geoffrey Besnier (COO), founder and CEO Dr. Estelle Clerc, Dr. Fabienne Kurt (Product development Lead).