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FONGIT Innovation Fund backs HeroSupport and SmellRS to advance healthcare innovation

Life sciences

4 March 2024

SmellRS is developing an ambitious and innovative technology for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and the restoration of the sense of smell. SmellRS is developing an ambitious and innovative technology for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and the restoration of the sense of smell.

Geneva-based start-ups HeroSupport and SmellRS have recently been awarded financial backing from the FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF), a further showcase of the region’s commitment to fostering innovation in healthcare technologies.

HeroSupport, a spinoff from the Geneva University Hospital (HUG), received a CHF 100,000 seed loan. This funding will further the development of their unique medical devices designed to enhance the precision and efficacy of cancer treatments. By customizing imaging or treatment tables to fit patients individually, HeroSupport aims to improve patient comfort, reduce treatment times, and decrease the side effects associated with traditional x-ray imaging.

SmellRS, another innovative project stemming from HUG, was granted CHF 50,000 to support its groundbreaking work in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and the restoration of smell loss. Led by Dr. Julien Wen Hsieh of the HUG’s Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) and Cervicofacial Surgery, SmellRS is at the forefront of developing technologies that could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions.

The FONGIT Innovation Fund is instrumental in propelling start-ups towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing financial support through grants, seed loans, and growth loans. Supported by the State of Geneva, FONGIT, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce (CCIG), the United Nations International Trade Center (ITC), and the United Nations Environment Agency, FIF is dedicated to the scale-up of promising companies within the canton of Geneva.

This latest round of funding highlights the potential of HeroSupport and SmellRS to make significant contributions to their respective fields. HeroSupport, under the leadership of Dr. Giovanna DiPasquale, is revolutionizing the way cancer treatments are administered, focusing on patient-centric innovations. Meanwhile, SmellRS is pushing the boundaries of medical technology by exploring new methods for diagnosing and treating conditions related to the sense of smell and neurological diseases.

As these projects move forward, the support from FIF not only validates their innovative approaches but also underscores Geneva’s role as a leading hub for technological advancement and sustainable healthcare solutions.