Biopôle expands its accelerator program and welcomes new corporate partner

Biopôle is joining forces with Swiss Healthcare Startups to extend the Vanguard accelerator to digital health start-ups in German-speaking Switzerland, while also welcoming Hôpital de La Tour to its Corporate Partnership Programme.

Biopôle, the Lausanne-based life sciences campus, is broadening its Vanguard accelerator program through a new partnership with Swiss Healthcare Startups (SHS). This six-month program, designed to elevate digital health projects, will now target start-ups in German-speaking Switzerland. The collaboration aims to leverage a diverse network of professionals, including clinicians, regulators, and IT specialists, to refine participants’ products and business strategies.

In Biopôle’s press release, Nasri Nahas, CEO of Biopôle, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its potential to support entrepreneurship and expand into new regions. SHS, a non-profit organization, aims to foster innovation in the Swiss healthcare sector by increasing start-ups’ exposure and facilitating access to key stakeholders.

Pierre-Jean Wipff, Director of Innovation and Partnerships at Biopôle, emphasized that the expanded program will enable start-ups to implement a “test-validation” approach to rapidly develop the right product. The Vanguard Accelerator is open for applications year-round, with the next deadline on August 28th, 2024.

In addition to this partnership, Biopôle has announced that Hôpital de La Tour, the largest private hospital in French-speaking Switzerland, will join its Corporate Partnership Programme. This collaboration will provide Biopôle’s startup members with opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals and receive feedback on their innovative solutions. Hôpital de La Tour joins existing corporate partners BD, Labcorp, and Novartis, bringing expertise in tech-based solutions to improve patient outcomes.

Nasri Nahas welcomed Hôpital de La Tour, saying: “This collaboration will provide our start-up members with invaluable opportunities to connect directly with healthcare professionals and receive detailed feedback on the innovative solutions they are developing. Welcome, Hôpital de La Tour!”