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A joint program by Foundation EPFL Innovation Park and Groupe Mutuel
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December 9, 2024

After 4 editions of Tech4Eva - CHF200+ million raised for women's health

Press Release: December 9, 2024

The fourth edition of Tech4Eva, the only Femtech start-up accelerator in Switzerland, comes to an end today with a closing ceremony to be held at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) on the topic of maternal health. To date, the start-ups who took part in the four editions have raised more than CHF 200 million.

From a medical point of view, women are not simply smaller men but have different biological and socio-cultural needs. Nevertheless, women's health issues are still not sufficiently researched. Tech4Eva, the first accelerator in Switzerland for Femtech companies, aims to address this gap.

Tech4Eva, founded by EPFL Innovation Park and Groupe Mutuel, has just completed its fourth edition. During this time, 16 start-ups from 11 countries received support to develop and refine their business plan and market approach strategy. The companies developed innovative solutions in the fields of menstruation, fertility, maternal health, menopause and diseases specific to women.

Successful funding

In the four previous editions of Tech4Eva, a total of 94 start-ups were supported. To date, they have raised more than CHF 200 million for their companies. Some of them have already managed to reach market maturity. For example, since taking part in Tech4Eva in 2022, Lausanne-based Aspivix has been able to obtain CE certification for its gynaecological device for cervical procedures and partner up with Bayer and Tia as well as fundraise CHF 4.5m. Malaica, a participant in the 2023 edition of Tech4Eva, has just been awarded USD 1 million in a pre-seed round aimed at improving maternal health in sub-Saharan Africa, while HeroSupport was selected as one of this year's top 100 Swiss start-ups.

"By bringing together innovative FemTech start-ups from around the world with investors and industrial partners in women’s health, Tech4Eva aspires to create an ecosystem. We aim to integrate innovative FemTech solutions into healthcare and in women’s daily lives, making sustainable societal impact", said Lan Zuo Gillet, Tech4Eva program director and deputy director of the EPFL Innovation Park.

Closing ceremony: pregnancy and maternal health

The closing event of the fourth edition of Tech4Eva, held today at the CHUV in Lausanne, is devoted to the topic of pregnancy and maternal health. Keynote speakers Stefan Kohler and Dr. Basile Pache from the CHUV, Lausanne, will talk about the importance of clinical research, while Prof. Antoniya Georgieva from Oxford University will present an AI-based assessment of maternity-related risks. The participating start-ups will once again be able to talk about their experiences.

"Progress in the field of maternity and women's health is the result of both public and private research. However, communication between these two worlds has not always been optimal, and there are still many bridges to be built. The aim is to focus resources on the real needs of our patients, to fill the gaps in the areas of prevention, screening, and treatment of women's pathologies. This can only be beneficial for the health of our patients", said Dr. Basile Pache, Senior Registrar, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women-Mother-Child Department at the CHUV in Lausanne.

Mariana Atilano Merinan, Head of Strategy, Innovation and Data at Groupe Mutuel, described the focus on maternal health as follows: "Pregnancy is an important time in a family's life and a time when they are in close contact with the healthcare system. In this context, it is also important for us to be a partner for our insured and to provide them with the best possible support".

Tech4Eva is now in its fifth year

Tech4Eva will take place again next year. We are searching for entrepreneurs ready to address the unmet health needs of women worldwide. Join us to bring your start-up to the next level, leveraging our network of mentors, investors, and industry leaders committed to your success. Registrations for start-ups for the fifth edition of Tech4Eva are already open. Interested start-ups can apply at www.tech4eva.ch until February 15th.

More information on all 2024 start-ups here.