Two innovative startups win the second stage of Venture Kick
12.04.2016
The EPF Lausanne startups TreaTech and ROVENSO won the second stage of Venture Kick, with CHF 20‘000 each. Before they compete on the third and final stage of our program, where they might win another CHF 100’000, we give you an impression of the new rising stars.
 Frédéric Juillard is the founder and CEO of TreaTech (cleantech)
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 Thomas Estier and Lucian Cucu, co-founders of ROVENSO (robotics)
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The EPF Lausanne startup TreaTech develops a solution that will revolutionize the waste management of sewage sludge by turning it into fresh water, biogas, and natural fertilizers. This not only makes the sludge a new form of revenue instead of a cost to companies, but it will also reduce contamination effects. In the long-run, TreaTech aspires to provide water-related solutions and renewable energies worldwide.
“Aside from the financial support, Venture Kick is the perfect way for entrepreneurs to better understand their potential. Winning a Venture Kick round provides self-confidence, credibility, and a great support from experienced advisors. It is also a perfect driver to raise interest from potential partners or investors”, explains TreaTech's CEO Frédéric Juillard.
Listen to Frédéric Juillard's interview on RTS La Première (#neophiles program, in French) on 12.04.2016: "Phosphate - TreaTech".
The mission of the EPF Lausanne spinoff ROVENSO is to design, manufacture and market agile robots that preserve human life from hazardous operations in nuclear decommissioning and emergency response.
Watch ROVéo Mini, ROVENSO's robot:
ROVéo's unique four-wheel design allows it to climb over obstacles up to two-thirds its height. ROVENSO is working on a larger scale version of their robot (250kg) as well as on a portable Human-Machine Interface to operate dismantling robots.
Early 2016, SOSV (Sean O’Sullivan Ventures) invested in the startup and the whole ROVENSO team flew to China joining the hardware accelerator HAX in Shenzhen to speed up their development.
ROVENSO is currently producing a larger-scale model of ROVéo that can embed a heavy-duty robotic arm for use in nuclear dismantling but also in other hostile environments, where "everyday heroes" like firefighters and rescue workers risk their lives to help others (i.e. during and after natural and industrial disasters).
"VentureKick is the most valuable program for early stage startups in Switzerland. Since the beginning, they are challenging every aspect of your business model and your go-to-market strategy forcing you to embrace a clear and global roadmap for your startup", explains ROVENSO co-founder and CEO Thomas Estier.
In 2015, ROVENSO was selected among the venture leaders in Technology to attend a unique entrepreneurial and business development program in New York as well as Boston. You can watch ROVENSO's co-founder Lucian Cucu talk about his trip here.