Bearmind, Diatheris and Zizania achieve top ranks at the 2023 >>Venture>> awards

The prestigious >>venture>> competition, Switzerland’s leading start-up contest, yielded remarkable results for Western Switzerland start-ups Bearmind, Diatheris, and Zizania.

A joint initiative of the ETH Zurich, McKinsey & Company, Knecht Holding, Innosuisse and EPFL, the >>venture>> awards are a prestigious annual competition for start-ups in Switzerland. The contest promotes entrepreneurship and innovation, offering significant prizes to promising early-stage start-ups across various industry sectors.

In the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) category, Bearmind from Lausanne excelled and emerged as the winner. The start-up, known for its innovative approach to protecting athletes’ brain health, designs and develops helmet-worn sensors and software for brain injury prevention and cognitive performance monitoring in sports. This award further consolidates Bearmind’s recognition in the field, following its notable CHF 1.3 million seed funding round in March 2023 for the advancement of its wearable tech and software.

Meanwhile, the Health & Nutrition category was clinched by Geneva-based Diatheris. The company has made significant strides in providing improved therapeutic solutions for type 1 diabetes management, aiming to offer an effective alternative to insulin therapy. This achievement adds to their impressive track record, following in the footsteps of the recent successful start-ups from Western Switzerland.

In addition to the winners in each vertical, the Audience Award, presented by RTS, went to the organic cosmetics start-up Zizania. Known for their dedication to sustainable practices and upcycling plant materials, Zizania demonstrated a clear resonance with the audience’s values. Their victory represents a significant accomplishment for the Valais-based company, aligning with their goal to promote the “farm-to-face” movement and the principles of the circular economy.

The >>venture>> competition has once again demonstrated its significant impact on fostering entrepreneurship in Switzerland, by recognizing and supporting the growth of such innovative start-ups. As evidenced by the achievements of Bearmind, Diatheris, and Zizania, the platform continues to serve as a springboard for start-ups, providing them with opportunities to develop their innovations further and make substantial contributions to their respective industries.