Actival secures a CHF 1.4 million Innosuisse grant for its smart dental aligners

Actival, a spin-off of CSEM, has been awarded a CHF 1.4 million grant from Innosuisse to accelerate the development and market launch of its patented Active Splints, a new generation of patient-specific oral care devices developed in partnership with CSEM.

The company’s core innovation is a patented 3D printing technology that integrates microchannels into dental aligners and splints. Conventional clear aligners restrict saliva flow and oxygen around the teeth, creating conditions for plaque buildup, cavities and bad odors. Actival’s microchannels allow saliva to circulate naturally while dispensing antibacterial fluid, fluoride and customizable flavors, combining tooth alignment with improved oral health and enamel protection.

The clear aligner market, estimated at USD 6.3 billion, is growing at roughly 30 percent annually, and Actival is positioning itself as a differentiated manufacturer serving dentists and dental clinics. The grant follows an earlier CHF 150,000 award from Venture Kick, which funded the expansion of the company’s network of distributors and partner clinics ahead of launch.

Actival also won the Medtech and Healthcare category at the 2026 >>venture>> startup competition, and is currently a top-three finalist in the TOP100 Swiss Startup public vote run by Venturelab.

For a broader perspective on CSEM’s role in Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem, listen to our Getting Serious podcast conversation with Dr. Alexandre Pauchard, CEO of CSEM, in which he explores what keeps Switzerland at the top of global innovation rankings.