Medtech startups in the Basel Area (2023 updated).
With decades of expertise in healthcare and mechanics, the Basel Area has become a sought-after location for medtech startups.
Read on to discover 17 promising medtech startups and companies from the region, meet our in-house medtech expert Florian Saner and learn about our new accelerator for medtech startups.
About the medtech industry.
Medtech companies focus on developing and producing medical devices, instruments and equipment to diagnose, treat and prevent disease.
A great example is Biosynex, a key player in the COVID-19 pandemic. Biosynex developed rapid and PCR tests, which got exported to over 70 countries.
The medtech industry is an amazing machine with vital progress for people’s health being made every day. But it’s also a complicated space to navigate in, especially for startups.
The underlying challenge for startups is always funding. Researching, innovating, and developing new technology is very costly, even more in the complex health environment.
For many medtech startups, IP is their most important asset. To protect it properly, entrepreneurs need legal counsel from the get-go.
There’s also a sea of laws and regulations to adhere to that tie up resources that could otherwise be used for innovation. Administrative requirements make it difficult to launch new products. Bringing tech to the market is usually a long process, making it hard to generate revenue early on.
But even with all the hurdles, innovation finds its way!
For example, many Swiss startups are looking to partner with established companies worldwide. In other countries, R&D can be cheaper and less restrictive than in Switzerland.
And the Swiss medtech industry is booming. Over the last two years alone, it has created over 4,500 new jobs. More than 1% of the population is now employed in medtech. The industry’s revenue in 2021 was around CHF 20.8 billion, exceeding the average of the last ten years.
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Three central questions around medtech.
What does the term medtech mean?
Medtech is short for medical technology. It encompasses every product, service or solution using technology to improve people’s health by preventing, diagnosing, monitoring and treating disease. Often, the term medtech is used to talk about technology in the healthcare sector in general.
What are common challenges in medtech?
The most common challenge in any medtech startup stage is funding. Healthcare is an expensive field with many regulatory barriers. Intellectual property is often the most important asset of a medtech startup. Protecting the IP becomes a top priority and a big challenge as well, especially because it ties back into startup funding – having enough money for legal support from the beginning.
Why is the Basel Area Europe’s medtech hub?
The Basel region is home to many important players in the healthcare industry, like Roche and Novartis, as well as numerous SMEs and interesting startups. The Basel Area also has a long-standing tradition of watchmaking and industry with highly skilled and specialized suppliers. But those are only some of the reasons why interest in the Basel Area has markedly increased in the past few years.
Promising medtech startups in the Basel Area (in 2023).
The Basel Area has been known for its expertise in pharmaceuticals as well as mechanics (think watchmaking, for example) for decades. When medtech emerged as its own field, the pharma and tech companies started collaborating intensively. In a short time, the Basel Area has become the medtech hub of Europe.
The startups that the region has brought forward are among the most innovative and promising worldwide. We introduce medtech startups that are worth keeping an eye on.
Bottneuro AG.
Digital solutions for Alzheimer’s patients.
- Founding year: 2021
- Funding: $ 4,5 million (source)
Bottneuro wants to become the leading provider of diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s. With digital biomarkers, brain imaging and neuromodulation technologies, it plans to diagnose Alzheimer’s quickly, reliably and cost-effectively, as well as offering a non-invasive, home-based treatment without pains or side effects. Bottneuro will start operating in Switzerland in 2023 and plans to expand to other countries a year later.
Nutrix AG.
Non-invasive glucose monitoring device with saliva.
- Founding year: 2020
- Funding: $ 829,700 (source)
Nutrix innovates the field of health monitoring sensors in three stages to maximize the well-being of patients with chronic diseases: a digital health ecosystem named gSense, AI algorithms for glucose monitoring based on biomarkers in saliva and a non-invasive cortisol monitoring sensor. In the future, Nutrix wants to expand its glucose monitoring systems to hormones and other biomarkers in saliva.
MOMM Diagnostics GmbH.
Point-of-care tests (POCT) for preeclampsia.
- Founding year: 2018
- Funding: CHF 10,000 (source)
MOMM Diagnostics is currently developing a rapid test to diagnose preeclampsia precisely. This pregnancy disorder can harm the mother and child and affects up to 8% of all pregnancies. With only a drop of blood, the biosensor detects preeclampsia more time and cost-efficiently than today’s methods.
InnoSpina SA.
Fastest minimally invasive spine surgery.
- Founding year: 2017
- Funding: CHF 2 million (source)
InnoSpina is developing guiding instruments for spine surgery that support surgeons in their everyday procedures. With the help of InnoSpina’s guiding instruments, practitioners can treat chronic back pain in less than thirty minutes. InnoSpina is also looking to develop novel implants for spine surgery. First prototypes of the guiding instruments have successfully been tested.
Bottmedical AG.
Bottmedical AG crafts science into life.
- Founding year: 2019
- Funding: $ 1.2M (source)
With the Naturaligner, Bott Medical created a transparent, antibacterial aligner that aligns, protects and retains your teeth and also improves oral hygiene. The braces are made with a patented plant-derived polymer. Combined with CINNA solution (made from cinnamon), it fights caries bacteria effectively.
Success stories
Click on the logos below to read why they chose Basel
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 patient’s 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. Take part in a lively community, regular events and conferences, expert discussions, digital health projects and workshops.
- 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, which 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 (Demo Day, 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 in Jura and work alongside entrepreneurs, coaches, and field experts.
- Tailored training. Join our specific training and education events to reinforce your knowledge.
Upcoming events
MEDTECH CONGRESS JURA
Open Mic – Next in biotech series: Emerging trends in RNA and gene therapeutics
OPEN MIC NEXT IN HEALTH SERIES – No data, no health: Digital transformation of health systems
3 examples of medtech startups accelerated by DayOne Tech.
In August 2022, we launched our new accelerator for medtech startups in the canton of Jura.
A selection committee made up of eight experts from renowned research institutes, the public health sector, and industry has chosen three medtech startups to accelerate.
Each of the startups receives a free IP and regulatory gap analysis to kick things off. From there, we develop a plan together to fill those gaps over the next 12 months. Then we connect the startups with research institutes and coaches and help them secure funding. We also provide free office space.
Now it’s time you meet the three first medtech startups that embarked on a year-long acceleration program with DayOne Tech in the canton of Jura.
CNS Therapy.
CNS Therapy aims to alleviate chronic pain and disease and improve the quality of life through a combination of operant behavioral therapy and a patented device called Systolic Extinction Training (SET) — no medication, surgery or implants required.
Moonlight AI.
Moonlight AI, headquartered at Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Jura, 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.
CryoThermo 4.0.
CryoThermo 4.0 offers a medical thermal compress device to give patients more autonomy to care for themselves at home, at the office or in travel. The device utilizes cold and heat therapy to reduce inflammation and promote blood circulation.
Florian Saner, Manager DayOne Tech Accelerator.
Florian has a background in finance and business strategy. He has worked in licensing and M&A projects for the medical industry and has done upwards of 25M in acquisitions of startups and technology deals. Now he’s heading the DayOne Tech Accelerator and supports startups on their journey toward success.
”If you're looking to connect with the medtech industry in the Basel Area and Jura region for idea and insight exchange, feel free to reach out to me.
Florian SanerManager DayOne Tech Accelerator
Your opportunity to join the DayOne medtech accelerator.
We accelerate three new startups approximately every six months. If you want your startup to be accelerated by DayOne Tech, get in touch with Florian Saner directly.
Did you know why the canton of Jura is a great place to locate medtech activities?
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. Thanks to its rich history in watchmaking, the Jura region has developed expertise in producing small and intricate components using difficult materials, making the necessary skills readily available in the area. New and established medtech companies have no trouble finding suppliers and partners.
More medtech companies to watch
The Basel Area has been a fertile ground for medtech companies for years. Innovative firms, big and small, built their successful ventures from here.
Straumann.
Pioneering dental solutions with cutting-edge technology.
- Founding year: 1954
The Straumann Group is a global implant, restorative, and regenerative dentistry leader. Founded in Switzerland in 1954, the company has since expanded its reach to over 100 countries. The Straumann Group offers a wide range of products and solutions for dental professionals, including dental implants, abutments, orthodontics, and digital dentistry. With a strong focus on research and development, the company is committed to advancing the field of dental medicine and improving patient outcomes.
Medartis.
Advancing orthopedic surgery with innovative implant solutions.
- Founding year: 1954
The Straumann Group is a global implant, restorative, and regenerative dentistry leader. Founded in Switzerland in 1954, the company has since expanded its reach to over 100 countries. The Straumann Group offers a wide range of products and solutions for dental professionals, including dental implants, abutments, orthodontics, and digital dentistry. With a strong focus on research and development, the company is committed to advancing the field of dental medicine and improving patient outcomes.
Artidis AG.
Nanotechnology tool for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Founding year: 2014
- Funding: CHF 29,3 million (source)
ARTIDIS builds biochemical sensors that analyze cancer tissue. The sensor differentiates between benign and malignant tissue in under 3 hours. It calculates the aggressiveness and the probability of metastases. In addition, the company provides ARTIDISNET, a platform for patients and doctors to store medical history and test results.
Advanced Osteotomy Tools – AOT AG.
Cutting bones with a laser.
- Founding year: 2010
- Funding: $13.2M (source)
Advanced Osteotomy Tools is developing digital solutions for bone surgery. CARLO® is the world’s first laser osteotome approved for clinical use. It can cut bone extremely precisely with the help of cold ablation laser, robotics, navigation and smart software. The invention of CARLO® is supposed to be the start of autonomously executed surgeries.
MiniNaviDent AG.
3D navigation system for dental implantology.
- Founding year: 2012
- Funding: $ 15 million (source)
MiniNaviDent focuses on precision technology for dynamically navigated implantology for dentists. It produced the Denacam navigation system that uses sub-millimeter accuracy position, angulation and depth control combined with an interactive 3D interface to ensure precision and patient comfort.
Inura Medical AG.
Targeted treatment options for women’s urological diseases.
- Founding year: 2015
- Funding: N/A
Inura created a new innovative way of drug administration to treat diseases of the bladder and lower urinary tract. It’s a patient-friendly and local treatment for an overactive bladder. It’s expected to have fewer side effects than common methods. The product is in clinical studies at the moment.
Healios AG.
Using mobile technologies to diagnose and monitor patients.
- Founding year: 2012
- Funding: £ 23.2M (source)
Using digital biomarkers, Healios helps patients and physicians to monitor medical conditions. Digital tools such as smartphones or smartwatches measure and collect health information and store it on the Healios medical platform to help find treatments. Currently, Helios is mainly focused on multiple sclerosis, but it will be used for different treatments in the field of neuroscience.
HighDim GmbH.
High-performance and quality multimodal data processing solutions.
- Founding year: 2010
- Funding: N/A
HighDim co-designs solutions for signal or image processing requiring high-performance computing. The focus lies on medical imaging, like computer tomography. HighDim also offers the use of its cloud computing infrastructure.
Mabritec AG.
Mass-based rapid identification technologies.
- Founding year: 2008
- Funding: N/A
Mabritec specializes in the identification of microorganisms and the characterization of biological systems using mass spectrometry. This is often needed, especially in medical microbiology.
We invigorate the Basel Area
The Basel Area is a unique business hub for future-oriented industries. At Basel Area Business & Innovation we build on the strengths of the region and make them known both nationally and internationally.
We assist companies that want to settle in the cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt or Jura, enabling new companies from day one to devote their attention to their business and to acquaint themselves with the right contact partners both in local administration and in their sector. The companies grow together with the Basel Area.
In addition, we support innovative entrepreneurs with tailored programmes. We accompany the founding process, introduce them to experts and advisers, prepare for financing rounds and find suitable offices and laboratories. With the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, we also offer collaborative work environments in three cantons, allowing companies to put down roots in the Basel Area.
We focus on startups and companies from the following sectors: life sciences with biotechnology and digital health, production technologies, medtech, robotics and artificial intelligence.
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