Pix4d and SWISSto12 get the final 100'000 kick
18.05.2012
St. Gallen/Zürich/Lausanne, Mai 18, 2012. – The two new venture kick winners which were able to win over the jury composed of 13 experts with their business model, are both EPFL spin-offs. Pix4d creates complex 3D models based on thousands of aerial images; SWISSto12 develops components destined for a whole variety of application areas in terahertz transmission. By winning the kick, both start-ups have secured the total funding amount of 130.000 francs.
 SWISSto12: Alessandro Macor and Emile de Rijk
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 Pix4D: Olivier Küng and Christoph Strecha
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The first round of the private funding initiative focused on the quality of the business ideas presented by the two companies, which at that point in time, weren’t allowed to be established yet. In the following two rounds, both start-ups had to demonstrate tangible progress towards the realization of their business idea and submit themselves to intensive questioning as well as to the expertise of the jury members on the issue of their respective business cases. This time around it was two innovative high-tech start-ups from the Romandie which were able to make the final cut and secure the kick.
Pix4D: image processing software for 3D aerial photographs
Today, lightweight flying platforms such as UAVs are increasingly used to provide aerial photography in the mining industry, for civil engineering, precision farming and urban areas modeling. Pix4D developed Pix4UAV, a unique software package that combines those thousands of aerial images into professional accurate 2D maps and 3D models, within just a couple of clicks. The service, which is offered both in a desktop and cloud based version, distinguishes itself through its high precision, user friendliness and speedy delivery of results. Several pilot-projects have already been initiated and first talks with potential investors have already been held. The technology developed by EPFL Post-Doc Dr. Christoph Strecha and EPFL graduate Olivier Küng – the two founders of Pix4d – has also demonstrated promising potential for application in other areas. The software was for example already deployed by the UN in Haiti when dealing with problematic issues in aviation.
SWISSto12: perfect wave-transmission from 0,3 to 10 THz
SWISSto12 aims at becoming a leading global supplier of components and systems for terahertz signal transmission. Both founders, Emile de Rijk and Alessandro Macor, want to revolutionize the existing manufacturing technology of wave-guiding materials, and have developed a comprehensive line of products which combines ideal high-intensity high-performance transmission lines, low loss and low dispersion, which is able to cover large distances. The innovative and patented technology can be implemented in a customizable way and appears to have a particularly promising future in medicinal and telecommunications technology. Emile de Rijk has been recently been nominated as a venture leader 2012. Now it’s time for them to expand their existing American and German customer base by convincing and attracting new clients.
venture kick as the perfect launchpad for the entrepeneurial path
Olivier Küng from Pix4D: «The past eleven months at venture kick have ideally prepared us for the everyday life of an entrepreneur, and have enabled us to make significant steps forward. In the beginning it was about getting to know and analyze our market, latter, we refined our business model and are now concentrating on getting our business to grow. The prize money will allows us to pursue the crucial task at hand, namely to acquire new customers.» Emile de Rijk from SWISSto12 was also convinced by the concept of venture kick: «With its three phases, venture kick provides extremely valuable advice and pre-seed funding to shape the success of young startups.»
More about venture kick
The private initiative venture kick is financed by the GEBERT RÜF STIFTUNG, the ERNST GÖHNER foundation, the OPO foundation, the AVINA STIFTUNG and FONDATION 1796. The project is managed by the IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen in St. Gall. The objective of the initiative is to double the amount of startups originating from Swiss universities and technical colleges. The program is open to business visionaries which are active at a Swiss university, technical college or higher institution of learning (students, doctoral-students, professors, etc.), which haven't founded their company yet. Candidates can apply at any time.
Since its inception in the autumn of 2007, venture kick has awarded more than 8.2 million francs in prize money, and from an original pool of about 1000 candidatures, supported and coached 227 spin-off projects which can trace their origins back to Swiss universities. Our efforts have resulted in the creation of over 165 highly innovative companies, which have created 1.700 sustainable jobs. Furthermore, the supported startups have been able to attract equity, loans, support and prize money to the total tune of over 250 million francs
Links:
www.venturekick.ch
www.swissto12.ch
www.pix4d.com
Contact:
Management German-speaking Switzerland:
Beat Schillig, +41 (71) 242 98 64, +41 (79) 358 04 19, beat.schillig@venturekick.ch
Management Romandie:
Jordi Montserrat, +41 (21) 553 09 88, +41 (78) 708 18 04, jordi.montserrat@venturekick.ch
Media:
Thorsten Hainke, +41 (79) 103 38 63, thorsten.hainke@venturekick.ch
The previous winners of total 130.000 francs in seed-money
- Bettina Ernst, Preclin Biosystems, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.preclinbiosystems.com
- Manuel Aschwanden, Optotune, ETH Zürich (Optik), www.optotune.ch
- Patrizia Fischer, Pearltec, ETH Zürich (Medtech), www.pearltec.ch
- Martin Bartholet, Celeroton, ETH Zürich (Elektromechanik), www.celeroton.ch
- Marc Gitzinger, BioVersys, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.bioversys.com
- Sadik Hafizovic, Zurich Instruments, ETH Zürich (Elektronik), www.zhinst.com
- Wolfgang Moritz, InSphero, Uni Zürich (Biotech), www.insphero.com
- Stefan Tuchschmid, Virtamed, ETH Zürich (Medtech), www.virtamed.com
- Barbara Yersin, Minsh, EPF Lausanne (Internet), www.minsh.com
- Stephane Doutriaux, Poken, IMD Lausanne (Elektronik/Internet), www.doyoupoken.com
- Jochen Mundinger, RouteRank, EPF Lausanne (Internet), www.routerank.com
- Giorgio Pietromaggiori, labseed, EPF Lausanne (Medtech), www.labseed.com
- Vincent Schickel, Prediggo, EPF Lausanne (Internet), www.prediggo.com
- Florian Kowalke, Aiducation International, ETH Zürich (NPO), www.aiducation.org
- Kristin Kapitza, StreamForge, ETH Zürich (Internet), www.streamforge.com
- Nicolas Burri, StereoTools, EPF Lausanne (MedTech), www.stereotools.com
- Christophe Canales, Imina Technologies, EPF Lausanne (Nanotech), www.imina.ch
- Ralph Schiess, ProteoMediX, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.proteomedix.ch
- Christof Roduner,Mirasense, ETH Zürich (Internet), www.mirasense.com
- Christoph Gebald, Climeworks, ETH Zürich (Cleantech), www.climeworks.com
- Michael Dupertuis, Geroco, HES-S0 Valais (Cleantech/Internet), www.geroco.com
- Marcus Aebi, Malcisbo, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.malcisbo.com
- Jean-Christophe Zufferey, SenseFly, EPF Lausanne (Elektronik), www.sensefly.com
- Alfredo E. Bruno, AdvancedOsteotomy Tools, Uni Basel (Medtech), www.aot-swiss.com
- Francesco Dell’Endice, QualySense, Uni Zürich (Industrie), www.qualysense.com
- Nicolas Durand, Abionic, EPF Lausanne (Medtech), www.abionic.com
- Thorsten Schwenke, ZHAW, Thelkin (Elektronik/Medtech), www.thelkin.com
- Marc Spafford, delicioustaste AG, FHNW (Food/E-Commerce), www.delicioustaste.ch
- Martin Odersky, Scala SolutionsSàrl, EPF Lausanne(ICT), www.scalasolutions.com
- Susanne Wechsler, Uni St. Gallen, BOOKBRIDGE (Social), www.bookbridge.org
- Dominik Bell, Aeon Scientific, ETH Zürich (Medtech), www.aeon-scientific.com
- David Bonzon, Pandora Underwater Equipment, EPFL (Elektronik),
www.pandora-uwe.com
- Amin Shokrollahi,Kandou Technologies,EPF Lausanne (ICT), www.kandou.com
- Nils A. Reinke, Winterthur Instruments, ZHAW (Elektromechanik),
www.winterthurinstruments.com
- Timo Hafner, Gastros AG, Uni St. Gallen(Food / Materials), www.gastros.ch
- Andreas Brülhart, Bcomp, Hochschule für Wirtschaft Freiburg (Materials), www.bcomp.ch
- Matthias Haussmann, Uepaa(!!), ETH Zürich (ICT / Mobile), www.uepaa.ch
- Serguei Okhonin, ActLight, EPF Lausanne (Energy), www.act-light.com
- Andreas Graber, UrbanFarmers, ZHAW (Cleantech), www.urbanfarmers.ch
- Ricardo Beira, DistalMotion, EPF Lausanne (Medtech), www.distalmotion.com
- Olivier Küng, Pix4D, EPF Lausanne (ICT / Multimedia), www.pix4d.com
- Emile de Rijk, SWISSto12 EPF Lausanne (Electronics), www.swissto12.ch
Pix4D: image processing software for 3D aerial photographs
Today, lightweight flying platforms such as UAVs are increasingly used to provide aerial photography in the mining industry, for civil engineering, precision farming and urban areas modeling. Pix4D developed Pix4UAV, a unique software package that combines those thousands of aerial images into professional accurate 2D maps and 3D models, within just a couple of clicks. The service, which is offered both in a desktop and cloud based version, distinguishes itself through its high precision, user friendliness and speedy delivery of results. Several pilot-projects have already been initiated and first talks with potential investors have already been held. The technology developed by EPFL Post-Doc Dr. Christoph Strecha and EPFL graduate Olivier Küng – the two founders of Pix4d – has also demonstrated promising potential for application in other areas. The software was for example already deployed by the UN in Haiti when dealing with problematic issues in aviation.
SWISSto12: perfect wave-transmission from 0,3 to 10 THz
SWISSto12 aims at becoming a leading global supplier of components and systems for terahertz signal transmission. Both founders, Emile de Rijk and Alessandro Macor, want to revolutionize the existing manufacturing technology of wave-guiding materials, and have developed a comprehensive line of products which combines ideal high-intensity high-performance transmission lines, low loss and low dispersion, which is able to cover large distances. The innovative and patented technology can be implemented in a customizable way and appears to have a particularly promising future in medicinal and telecommunications technology. Emile de Rijk has been recently been nominated as a venture leader 2012. Now it’s time for them to expand their existing American and German customer base by convincing and attracting new clients.
venture kick as the perfect launchpad for the entrepeneurial path
Olivier Küng from Pix4D: «The past eleven months at venture kick have ideally prepared us for the everyday life of an entrepreneur, and have enabled us to make significant steps forward. In the beginning it was about getting to know and analyze our market, latter, we refined our business model and are now concentrating on getting our business to grow. The prize money will allows us to pursue the crucial task at hand, namely to acquire new customers.» Emile de Rijk from SWISSto12 was also convinced by the concept of venture kick: «With its three phases, venture kick provides extremely valuable advice and pre-seed funding to shape the success of young startups.»
More about venture kick
The private initiative venture kick is financed by the GEBERT RÜF STIFTUNG, the ERNST GÖHNER foundation, the OPO foundation, the AVINA STIFTUNG and FONDATION 1796. The project is managed by the IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen in St. Gall. The objective of the initiative is to double the amount of startups originating from Swiss universities and technical colleges. The program is open to business visionaries which are active at a Swiss university, technical college or higher institution of learning (students, doctoral-students, professors, etc.), which haven't founded their company yet. Candidates can apply at any time.
Since its inception in the autumn of 2007, venture kick has awarded more than 8.2 million francs in prize money, and from an original pool of about 1000 candidatures, supported and coached 227 spin-off projects which can trace their origins back to Swiss universities. Our efforts have resulted in the creation of over 165 highly innovative companies, which have created 1.700 sustainable jobs. Furthermore, the supported startups have been able to attract equity, loans, support and prize money to the total tune of over 250 million francs
Links:
www.venturekick.ch
www.swissto12.ch
www.pix4d.com
Contact:
Management German-speaking Switzerland:
Beat Schillig, +41 (71) 242 98 64, +41 (79) 358 04 19, beat.schillig@venturekick.ch
Management Romandie:
Jordi Montserrat, +41 (21) 553 09 88, +41 (78) 708 18 04, jordi.montserrat@venturekick.ch
Media:
Thorsten Hainke, +41 (79) 103 38 63, thorsten.hainke@venturekick.ch
The previous winners of total 130.000 francs in seed-money
- Bettina Ernst, Preclin Biosystems, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.preclinbiosystems.com
- Manuel Aschwanden, Optotune, ETH Zürich (Optik), www.optotune.ch
- Patrizia Fischer, Pearltec, ETH Zürich (Medtech), www.pearltec.ch
- Martin Bartholet, Celeroton, ETH Zürich (Elektromechanik), www.celeroton.ch
- Marc Gitzinger, BioVersys, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.bioversys.com
- Sadik Hafizovic, Zurich Instruments, ETH Zürich (Elektronik), www.zhinst.com
- Wolfgang Moritz, InSphero, Uni Zürich (Biotech), www.insphero.com
- Stefan Tuchschmid, Virtamed, ETH Zürich (Medtech), www.virtamed.com
- Barbara Yersin, Minsh, EPF Lausanne (Internet), www.minsh.com
- Stephane Doutriaux, Poken, IMD Lausanne (Elektronik/Internet), www.doyoupoken.com
- Jochen Mundinger, RouteRank, EPF Lausanne (Internet), www.routerank.com
- Giorgio Pietromaggiori, labseed, EPF Lausanne (Medtech), www.labseed.com
- Vincent Schickel, Prediggo, EPF Lausanne (Internet), www.prediggo.com
- Florian Kowalke, Aiducation International, ETH Zürich (NPO), www.aiducation.org
- Kristin Kapitza, StreamForge, ETH Zürich (Internet), www.streamforge.com
- Nicolas Burri, StereoTools, EPF Lausanne (MedTech), www.stereotools.com
- Christophe Canales, Imina Technologies, EPF Lausanne (Nanotech), www.imina.ch
- Ralph Schiess, ProteoMediX, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.proteomedix.ch
- Christof Roduner,Mirasense, ETH Zürich (Internet), www.mirasense.com
- Christoph Gebald, Climeworks, ETH Zürich (Cleantech), www.climeworks.com
- Michael Dupertuis, Geroco, HES-S0 Valais (Cleantech/Internet), www.geroco.com
- Marcus Aebi, Malcisbo, ETH Zürich (Biotech), www.malcisbo.com
- Jean-Christophe Zufferey, SenseFly, EPF Lausanne (Elektronik), www.sensefly.com
- Alfredo E. Bruno, AdvancedOsteotomy Tools, Uni Basel (Medtech), www.aot-swiss.com
- Francesco Dell’Endice, QualySense, Uni Zürich (Industrie), www.qualysense.com
- Nicolas Durand, Abionic, EPF Lausanne (Medtech), www.abionic.com
- Thorsten Schwenke, ZHAW, Thelkin (Elektronik/Medtech), www.thelkin.com
- Marc Spafford, delicioustaste AG, FHNW (Food/E-Commerce), www.delicioustaste.ch
- Martin Odersky, Scala SolutionsSàrl, EPF Lausanne(ICT), www.scalasolutions.com
- Susanne Wechsler, Uni St. Gallen, BOOKBRIDGE (Social), www.bookbridge.org
- Dominik Bell, Aeon Scientific, ETH Zürich (Medtech), www.aeon-scientific.com
- David Bonzon, Pandora Underwater Equipment, EPFL (Elektronik),
www.pandora-uwe.com
- Amin Shokrollahi,Kandou Technologies,EPF Lausanne (ICT), www.kandou.com
- Nils A. Reinke, Winterthur Instruments, ZHAW (Elektromechanik),
www.winterthurinstruments.com
- Timo Hafner, Gastros AG, Uni St. Gallen(Food / Materials), www.gastros.ch
- Andreas Brülhart, Bcomp, Hochschule für Wirtschaft Freiburg (Materials), www.bcomp.ch
- Matthias Haussmann, Uepaa(!!), ETH Zürich (ICT / Mobile), www.uepaa.ch
- Serguei Okhonin, ActLight, EPF Lausanne (Energy), www.act-light.com
- Andreas Graber, UrbanFarmers, ZHAW (Cleantech), www.urbanfarmers.ch
- Ricardo Beira, DistalMotion, EPF Lausanne (Medtech), www.distalmotion.com
- Olivier Küng, Pix4D, EPF Lausanne (ICT / Multimedia), www.pix4d.com
- Emile de Rijk, SWISSto12 EPF Lausanne (Electronics), www.swissto12.ch