Five venture leaders in the semifinals of the MassChallenge in the US
19.05.2014
Over 1,600 startups from 50 countries and 41 states submitted applications 2014 to the world’s largest startup accelerator, MassChallenge. On the list with the semi-finalists are five Swiss startups and all of them are venture leaders. We spoke with Keith, CEO from noonee® and captain of the Swiss National Startup Team about the MassChallenge, the venture leaders programm and tips for other startups.
 The captain of this years Swiss Startup National Team Keith from noonee, is one of the semifinalists.
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Keith, you are the captain of the Swiss National Startup Team 2014. How you prepare your trip to the U.S. and how does it feels like?
"I am still surprised that I got selected for the team! hehehe.. It will probably sink in once I am on the plane. My preparations for the U.S have mainly included setting up meetings with potential U.S partners and what to pack… I like to travel light."
Why did you apply for venture leaders?
"One of our future markets is the U.S. When I heard of the venture leaders program, I found it a great opportunity to get some inlet on how our product could enter the market there as well as meet some door openers for noonee."
Now you are also nominated for another US startup program. What you expect from the MassChallenge?
"I expect quite a bit of exposure to potential customers and business angels as we are now looking to raise some funds for our first round."
What kind of advice would you give to other young entrepreneur?
"My advice is this, you don’t know everything until you talk to the customer. Accept negative feedback and learn from it.. don’t fight it."
About noonee:
The startup provides a wearable technology which enables factory workers to relax their muscles and sit down during work - without the need for a chair. The device is worn on the legs and allows the user freedom sit as well as walk or run.
And here are the four other venture leaders who are in the semifinals:
One Drop Diagnostics has developed a mobile medical diagnostics device that could revolutionize medicine by providing laboratory quality diagnostics at the patient’s side, at the doctor’s office or at home.
Faveeo is an online time saving information filtering tool. Faveeo finds, filters and recommends relevant and reliable information from the web and social media.
Sanovation AG has developed the app CatchMyPain which allows chronic pain patients to visualize their pain and to learn from similar patients around the world.
Sherpany allows companies to efficiently reach their whole shareholder base far beyond the scope of classical investor relations.
About MassChallenge:
Over $1 million in cash prizes is awarded to winning startups, with zero equity taken. Additional benefits for startups include world-class mentorship and training, free office space, access to funding, legal advice, media attention, and over $10 million of in-kind support.
"I am still surprised that I got selected for the team! hehehe.. It will probably sink in once I am on the plane. My preparations for the U.S have mainly included setting up meetings with potential U.S partners and what to pack… I like to travel light."
Why did you apply for venture leaders?
"One of our future markets is the U.S. When I heard of the venture leaders program, I found it a great opportunity to get some inlet on how our product could enter the market there as well as meet some door openers for noonee."
Now you are also nominated for another US startup program. What you expect from the MassChallenge?
"I expect quite a bit of exposure to potential customers and business angels as we are now looking to raise some funds for our first round."
What kind of advice would you give to other young entrepreneur?
"My advice is this, you don’t know everything until you talk to the customer. Accept negative feedback and learn from it.. don’t fight it."
About noonee:
The startup provides a wearable technology which enables factory workers to relax their muscles and sit down during work - without the need for a chair. The device is worn on the legs and allows the user freedom sit as well as walk or run.
And here are the four other venture leaders who are in the semifinals:
One Drop Diagnostics has developed a mobile medical diagnostics device that could revolutionize medicine by providing laboratory quality diagnostics at the patient’s side, at the doctor’s office or at home.
Faveeo is an online time saving information filtering tool. Faveeo finds, filters and recommends relevant and reliable information from the web and social media.
Sanovation AG has developed the app CatchMyPain which allows chronic pain patients to visualize their pain and to learn from similar patients around the world.
Sherpany allows companies to efficiently reach their whole shareholder base far beyond the scope of classical investor relations.
About MassChallenge:
Over $1 million in cash prizes is awarded to winning startups, with zero equity taken. Additional benefits for startups include world-class mentorship and training, free office space, access to funding, legal advice, media attention, and over $10 million of in-kind support.