Western Switzerland innovators Arkaiya, Hyswiss and WasteFlow secure FIT support

The Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) has awarded funding to three promising start-ups Arkaiya, Hyswiss, and WasteFlow, to accelerate the development of solutions in early-life nutrition, automated agriculture, and digital waste management.

Western Switzerland continues to support the development of high-impact technologies through targeted funding for early-stage startups. The latest recipients of FIT support—Arkaiya, Hyswiss, and WasteFlow—are tackling key challenges in health, agriculture, and the circular economy. Their solutions aim to improve infant health through microbiome science, revolutionize leafy vegetable production, and digitize waste sorting for more efficient recycling.

Addressing archaea deficiency in early childhood

Lausanne-based Arkaiya is tackling a critical yet often overlooked health challenge: the absence of beneficial archaea in the gut microbiome of non-breastfed infants. These microorganisms play a vital role in shaping the immune system and protecting against infections, allergies, and inflammatory conditions. Arkaiya has developed an innovative nutrition system that combines companion diagnostics, postbiotics, and functional food ingredients to detect and address archaea deficiency during the first four years of life.

With support from FIT, Arkaiya will cover the production of archaea strains, analytical testing, and project management costs as it advances its platform targeting early-life microbiome development.

Transforming leafy vegetable production

To meet the rising demand for sustainable and cost-effective food production, Hyswiss has developed TECHPONICS, an automated and modular hydroponic system designed specifically for leafy vegetables. Unlike conventional vertical farming or greenhouse methods, TECHPONICS is adaptable to various environments and requires minimal expertise to operate. It promises higher yields, lower labour and investment costs, and greater operational efficiency.

Hyswiss has already secured its first customers, with initial installations set to roll out in Switzerland and Europe. The FIT loan will enable the company to refine its technology, enhance precision, and improve scalability.

Digitizing waste sorting for smarter recycling

WasteFlow addresses a major gap in the recycling sector: real-time visibility into facility operations. Its AI-powered platform uses sensor networks to monitor waste characteristics, detect hazardous materials, and provide actionable insights via an interactive dashboard. This improves recycling rates, reduces disruptions, and enhances safety.

With the FIT Digital Seed loan, WasteFlow will fund its team and operational costs to expand deployment of its data-driven recycling system, helping sorting centres become more efficient and sustainable.