RheoCarti receives CHF 40,000 from Venture Kick to advance veterinary implant toward market entry

What was the first real signal that your solution worked outside the lab or pitch deck, and what did that moment change for you? 

The real signal came when surgeons and veterinarians held the implant in their hands for the first time. As they felt the hydrogel surface, their reaction shifted from curiosity to serious discussion. They immediately noticed how different it felt compared to metal or ceramic implants, closer to natural cartilage mechanics. 

From that moment, the conversation changed. We were no longer explaining a concept, we were discussing surgical use and clinical potential. That’s when RheoCarti started to feel like a real solution, not just a research project. 

Can you briefly describe your project and where it stood when you entered Venture Kick? 

RheoCarti is developing a titanium–hydrogel resurfacing implant designed to replicate the biomechanics of natural cartilage. By combining a load-bearing titanium structure with a shock-absorbing, ultra-low-friction hydrogel surface, we aim to reduce wear and improve joint outcomes. 

When we entered Venture Kick, we had a technically validated concept from ETH Zurich and early prototypes in development. We had strong feedback from surgeons and were exploring commercialization paths, including starting in the veterinary market, while still refining our regulatory and go-to-market strategy. 

How has the direction of your product/service/product strategy changed since working with the Venture Kick Team? 

Venture Kick helped us turn early ideas into a structured plan. We initially focused mainly on the human orthopedic market. Through mentoring, we committed to a dual-path strategy, prioritizing the veterinary market as our first entry point. 

This gives us a faster route to market, lower early regulatory hurdles, and the chance to generate clinical experience and revenue before expanding into the human market. We moved from exploring options to defining clear milestones. 

How will the Stage 2 funding help you advance your project concretely? 

The Stage 2 funding is a key step toward our first implantation. It allows us to finalize design verification and validation for the veterinary implant and produce a pre-commercial batch ready for surgery. 

At the same time, we’ll intensify clinical engagement through international congresses and targeted roadshows to secure our first adopters.