Medtech startups in the Basel Area (2024 update).
With decades of expertise in healthcare and mechanics, the Basel Area has become a sought-after location for medtech startups.
Read on to discover promising medtech startups and companies from the region, meet our in-house medtech expert Florian Saner, and learn about our accelerator for medtech startups.
About the medtech industry.
The medtech industry is a fascinating world with a vital impact on people’s health. Medtech companies focus on developing and producing medical devices, instruments and equipment to diagnose, treat and prevent disease.
At the national level, the Swiss medtech industry is booming. Over 2021-2022 alone, it created over 4,500 new jobs. More than 1% of the Swiss population is now employed in medtech – around 67,500 people. The industry’s revenue in 2021 was around CHF 20.8 billion, exceeding the average of the previous ten years.
But it’s also a complicated space to navigate in, especially for startups. Critical challenges for ventures include funding, regulatory hurdles, clinical validation, market access and reimbursement pathways.
Basel Area: a European medtech hub.
The Basel Area is home to many major players in the medtech industry, such as Roche Diagnostics, Straumann Group and Medartis, as well as numerous SMEs and startups.
The Basel Area, and especially the canton of Jura, boasts a long tradition in the watchmaking and highly skilled subcontracting industries, which enable complex products to be processed using very specific materials. Indeed, the canton of Jura boasts the highest density of medtech suppliers in Switzerland per 1,000 inhabitants, making it an ideal location for medtech activities.
Sign up to receive our newsletter in your inbox.
Promising medtech startups in the Basel Area (in 2024).
The region has brought forward many innovative startups. Here are a few of the promising startups we have recently supported:
Incaptek GmbH
Microcontainer film and microcapsules with a controlled release function.
Incaptek is pioneering novel materials to the market. Its cutting-edge technology produces novel advanced materials for a variety of industries, from biotech to electronics. The material called microcontainer film can be used as a drug-eluting coating with a controlled drug-release function for medical devices or as a next-generation dielectric material with exceptional physicochemical properties.
Nutrix AG.
Non-invasive, saliva-based, glucose monitoring device.
Nutrix leverages cutting-edge technology, artificial intelligence and remote monitoring to deliver holistic support for patient prevention, management and monitoring. Their core mission centers on elevating patient welfare, improving life quality and fostering longevity. Nutrix offers programs for weight loss, preventive care and diabetes management.
”We started with a course on building a company in Switzerland with Basel Area Business & Innovation and took full advantage of the many opportunities that have been offered to us since. During the Venture Mentoring program we worked with an IP expert, which was key for us. We pitched at the DayOne Conference and were chosen to take part in the DayOne Accelerator.
Being introduced to the expert network through Basel Area Business & Innovation was an important door opener for Nutrix. I am neither from Basel nor from Switzerland, yet we found an amazing ecosystem and all the support is in place.
Maria HahnFounder Nutrix
OrthoSens.
Implantable sensors for orthopedic implants.
OrthoSens is developing novel implantable sensors, in-silico models and software for existing marketed orthopedic implants to improve surgeon follow-up (by providing real-time data via remote monitoring) and optimize clinical outcomes.
Spirecut.
Instruments to improve hand surgery standard of care.
Spirecut has developed two instruments that allow surgeons to use high-frequency sonography to guide the surgical release of trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. These ultrasound-guided, incision-free instruments improve hand surgery standard of care and accelerate patient recovery.
Details of more startups that were supported by DayOne Tech can be found on our website.
How DayOne supports medtech startups.
Building the next generation of health tech ventures.
DayOne Tech connects startup, academic, corporate, government, payor and individual interests to address complex issues while keeping the patients’ well-being at the center.
It’s the ideal space for medtech entrepreneurs to build a strong network and serve healthcare needs together with like-minded individuals and companies. Here they can take part in a lively community, regular events and conferences, expert discussions and workshops.
Some of the benefits of joining our next-generation accelerator include:
Non-dilutive funding.
Receive up to CHF 100’000 (in cash and in kind) of non-dilutive funding to bring your prototype to the next level. We will also coach you to benefit from additional non-dilutive funding that may be available to you – for example from the Canton of Jura.
Personalized coaching.
Benefit from up to 150 hours of world-class coaching and mentoring to bring your prototype to the next level.
Networking.
Be part of a strong ecosystem bringing academic partners, corporations, startup founders, and hospitals together. Read also our comprehensive guide to the Switzerland startup ecosystem.
Visibility.
Pitch your project at local, national, and international events (Medtech Congress, BOOM Summit, etc.) to gain traction and help your startup to raise funds and identify additional strategic partners.
Space.
Join us at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Jura and work alongside entrepreneurs, coaches, and field experts with all the office space essentials you may need.
Two medtech startups accelerated by DayOne Tech.
In August 2022, we launched our accelerator for medtech startups in the canton of Jura.
Each of the startups received a free IP and regulatory gap analysis to kick things off. From there, we developed a plan together to fill those gaps over the following 12 months. Then we connected the startups with research institutes and coaches and helped them secure funding. We also provided free office space.
Now it’s time you meet two of the medtech startups that embarked on the acceleration program:
CNS Therapy aims to alleviate chronic pain and disease and improve quality of life through a combination of operant behavioral therapy and a patented device called Systolic Extinction Training – no medication, surgery or implants required.
Moonlight AI aims to improve access to genomic information used in personalized medicine for cancer treatment. With artificial intelligence and computer vision, Moonlight AI identifies genomic abnormalities from blood or bone marrow samples, which can help hematologists choose the best treatment for individual cancer patients at various stages.
”Being an entrepreneur myself, I love the innovation and medtech ecosystems that are being built up here in the Basel Area as well as having the opportunity to help fantastic startup founders take the first steps of their journey.
The Basel Area – and particularly the canton of Jura – is a thriving hotspot of medtech innovation in Europe and beyond. If you're looking to connect with the medtech industry in the region for idea and insight exchange, or you have an idea for a venture that you believe warrants being accelerated, feel free to reach out to me.
Florian SanerManager DayOne Tech Accelerator
