sitem-insel launches Innovation Voucher to support emerging medtech companies

The sitem-insel National Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, in collaboration with the Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) KMU-Förderstiftung, has introduced the Innovation Voucher to help early-stage companies accelerate product development by accessing clinical, regulatory and technical expertise. The initiative aims to reduce barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises and support the development of new solutions that bring value to patients and the healthcare system.

The program provides selected startups with in-kind expert support across key areas such as access to leading clinical departments, clinical trials, health economic evaluations, regulatory strategy, reimbursement considerations, infrastructure, research and development, and product validation. After assessing each project’s needs, sitem-insel assigns dedicated specialists to guide teams toward their next milestone. The selection process is conducted in two phases: up to six companies are chosen for expert evaluation in the first round, and two will subsequently receive an Innovation Voucher worth up to CHF 70,000.

Seven start-ups form the first cohort. Among them is aiEndoscopic, which applies artificial intelligence and robotics to improve the safety and precision of endoscopic procedures, beginning with airway management. Balmo is developing an oral gel designed to ease xerostomia, an often-overlooked condition that impacts quality of life. DAAV SA is working on a self-driving robotic wheelchair to improve airport mobility for passengers with reduced mobility. Piomic contributes a portable device that uses optical and magnetic stimulation to support the healing of chronic wounds. Raylution is advancing an automated system using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to enable instant skin cancer diagnosis. Rhovica Neuroimaging is developing SoNav, an ultrasound-guided catheter system aimed at improving emergency treatment for patients with elevated intracranial pressure. Spirecut is creating incision-free ultrasound-guided instruments intended to improve the standard of care in hand surgery.

As highlighted in recent developments across the Bernese ecosystem, including advances in personalized medicine, medtech entrepreneurship, and AI-driven diagnostics, this new initiative further reinforces Bern’s role as a dynamic center for clinical translation and life sciences innovation. By linking startups directly with clinical and regulatory expertise, the sitem-insel Innovation Voucher strengthens the region’s capacity to transform research into real-world medical solutions.