Boldbrain is the new acceleration program for innovative startups wanting to develop their business in Ticino. Prior to Boldbrain there was StartCup Ticino, a competition organized in the Italian part of Switzerland to reward innovative startups. The companies listed below are the winners of the past editions.
Roll of honor
Who will be the winners?
1st – InkVivo
InkVivo combines natural biomaterials and 3D printing to manufacture innovative medicines. These drugs are administered locally after surgery and ensure a controlled and prolonged dosage over time, maximizing the therapeutic effect of analgesics and reducing the possibility of side effects.
2nd – PepperZone
The powerful computers of gamers have everything a software needs to function: space, computing power and connectivity. Now their owners will be able to make these resources available to others and be remunerated for it. Users download and install the application on their computers and in this way they can immediately start sharing the excess power, which is used when they are not playing.
3rd – Talent4gig
It is about a global Data-Driven platform that connects the right professional skills to the best job opportunity. The artificial intelligence of Talent4gig allows you to verify the skills of candidates, while solving the needs of companies and those looking for a job. Candidates can test their skills in a playful way, and then show their achievements to attract the right companies.
4th – DolcePack
It offers a modern and versatile machine for packaging products in flexible and recyclable bags. The developed technology saves time and energy during packaging and significantly reduces the space required to pack the same quantity of products compared to others machinery. At the same time, it requires limited maintenance.
5th – Arcadia (+ audience award)
Arcadia selects bacteria, safe for humans and for the environment, capable of transforming demolition, mining and wood waste into useful objects of any shape, such as bio-cement blocks, bricks, tables, tiles and even houses made of recycled wood.
1° – voltWALL
VoltWALL has developed xBlade, a module at the base of all its products that offer flexible solutions for solar energy storage. VoltWALL is a modular ESS, connected to the network and based on lithium cells, which guarantees lightness and ease of maintenance. It also offers a modular system that allows customers to increase kWh according to their needs.
2° – Finar Module Tech
Finar Module Tech has patented a new technology for LED lamp for public lighting in the US, EU and China, which allows energy savings of about 20% compared to current LEDs on the market and costs less. The innovative technology is being tested with OSRAM and Henkel, world leaders in these areas.
3° – 4Devices Medical
This project aims to improve the surgical care of children with hydrocephalus, thus reducing their suffering. The invention consists of a 4D stent which, introduced into a hole at the base of the brain using a minimally invasive endoscopic technique, allows the hole to remain open over time. The stent has a 4th dimension because it changes over time from one shape to another, thanks to the capacity of the shape memory material. 4Devices Medical has patented a new technology to use shape memory materials in 3D printing, in order to obtain high resolution and complex geometries in products.
4° – WYTH
Through its virtual platforms, it helps people feel connected regardless of where they are, creating environments that combine physical and digital and capable of connecting more than 1 million people and offering interactivity to a single integrated community. It is the system for creating digital and hybrid places that respond to the need for current change.
5° – UNIVERSUS-OS (+audience prize)
Universus OS represents a revolution in the field of security: it is a single Operating System, designed for the identification, verification and analysis in real time of the simultaneous compliance with all legal obligations and rules for security. By digitally mapping any work environment in 3D, you can make the objects inside it more intelligent and therefore interconnected. In this way, when certain rules are lost, Universus OS prevents the event, like a virtual “protective shield” around the worker, allowing him to continue.
1° – ORCHESTRA + AUDIENCE PRIZE
Firefighters, medical services, civil protection and other public services, unfortunately, still work supported by old standards. Alarms are sent manually by phone, vital information is processed with pen and paper and rescue operations are managed through long chains of command. Orchestra is a platform that helps optimize work flows in emergency situations, in daily operations, and their understanding of the territory, allowing you to save time and improve their effectiveness. Rapid alarm, targeted information transfer, efficient management of activities and planning of the use of resources are just some of the key functions developed in close collaboration with the leaders of these organizations.
2° – LocalPoint
LocalPoint is a company that has developed a platform with which it is possible to extract and classify data automatically from a PDF. This platform is now used by several local newspapers in Switzerland, to publish the paper version of the newspaper in digital format so that reeds can be used on other devices such as mobile phones and tablets. The solution uses artificial intelligence to automatically extract data from a PDF.
3° – MANO
MANO is a wireless, rechargeable, light, easy and quick to use, transportable, low consumption, ecological glove. An innovative ironing system that goes beyond the limits of traditional iron and which, with a quick and easy ironing technique, promotes a philosophy of quality of life in harmony with the rhythms of our times.
4° – Qikle
Qikle is a free app (e-wallet) that allows you to pay online and offline, quickly and safely. Just connect it to your bank account and photograph a QR code. Qikle carries out transactions based on a recently introduced European regulation. This regulation allows third parties to initiate payments using the existing banking infrastructure. Being connected to the (web) shop cart, Qikle creates a standardized and specific digital receipt for each payment provider. The app includes features such as: overview and analysis of expenses, automated expenses, (digital) loyalty cards and personalized advertising settings to receive targeted promotional offers.
5° – LAVATAZZINE A VAPORE
To avoid using the new so-called bio-degradable plastics, in offices in events etc. you can easily go back to coffee in porcelain cups. This invention allows to wash rapidly and almost bacteriologically only with steam. For cups and mugs.
1° – iWin
They patented an innovative window solution to integrate flexible thin film photovoltaic cells into windows blinds without compromising the design and the operation of the system. With iWin you can first protect your house from overheating in summer, reducing the energy bill and second it produces renewable electricity.
2° – I’m Back
I’m Back® was designed to bring an innovative and for long time expected solution to the fully functional but unused analog cameras that are still in the market. I’m Back® PRO aims to transform into digital your 35mm analog camera, this version has an action camera built inside an especial designed plastic polymer housing which is mounted at the back of the body of analog photo cameras. A focusing screen is mounted inside the camera body and a mirror reflects the image to the photo camera sensor inside the device, it is possible to take pictures of the focusing screen, which is the place where the image is formed. This system enables the user to shoot photos with quality and control of the depth of field (blur behind photos) with his old 35mm cameras.
3° – TicInsect
They convert the food waste stream into usable and sustainable feed ingredients through insect farming. The real challenge here is to develop a system to farm and then transform these insects in large quantities, with consistent quality and in a safe way. For this reason, TicInsect has developed an innovative automated process that allows all of the above with the optimization of workforce and substantial energy/emissions savings.
4° – Iridis
Is an innovative startup developing Artificial Intelligence solutions for manufacturing companies who want to increase their production quality and productivity while reducing the cost of non-quality. They support customers in their transition to the Industry 4.0.
5° – TellTheHotel
It is a startup delivering chatbot solutions for hotels and hotels chains, serving guests before, during, and after their stay. By integrating with hotel official websites and the mostly used chatting apps (Facebook messenger, Whatsapp), we allow guests to book, buy extra services, and get required infos about the hotel without leaving their favourit instant messaging chat.
1. Dicronis
Dicronis develops innovative pharmaceutical products for the early detection of diseases with high and urgent medical needs. The first product, Lymphit, is a so-called activity tracker that controls the function of the lymphatic system in a simple, safe and economical way from home. In particular, Lymphit contributes to drastically decreasing, together with a specific cure, the development of lymphedema, a serious side effect of some cancer therapies, which are at risk annually, in Europe alone, up to one million patients.
2. EXead
The EXead mission is the development of oral vaccines for the prevention of intestinal infections. The goal is to respond to the high therapeutic needs for the fight against gastrointestinal diseases, so that to date there are no effective vaccines, with a high accessibility on the part of the patient.
3. BigOmics
Is a cloud platform for the analysis of Big Data in the field of next generation genomics. The vision is to democratize the analysis of the omic data to accelerate medical discoveries and treat diseases using Big Data.
4. Modula
Is a single-sample and multi-test clinical analysis tool, optimized for small routines.
The first commercial application proposed by us is a microarray for the detection of Lyme disease.
However, the platform is open to third-party tests requested by customers.
5. Swissponic
Thanks to new technologies it is now possible to grow vegetables without pesticides directly at home, farm-to-table and throughout the year. Swissponic has developed a system for automated hydroponics (landless) at home. The control unit is equipped with sensors and regulators to provide the ideal environment for plant growth. It also has a cloud platform that makes it possible to monitor and manage the culture on the other side of the globe.
1. MICRO-SHARING PROJECT-AQUA
Is a project linked to the concept of Micro-Sharing, aimed at helping disadvantaged people all over the world through the micro-sharing of products and services. In the pilot phase of the project, carried out in collaboration with Migros Ticino, by purchasing a bottle of “Gazosa Nostrana” under the Project-Aqua brand, it was possible to guarantee – with the support in the Helvetas Switzerland field – the supply of drinking water for an entire village of 330 people, in Mali, for a period of four years.
1. Skypull
Is a system based on a totally autonomous drone that generates electric current by exploiting the winds at high altitude, an effective and economic solution that presents a step forward in the field of wind energy. In fact, the current wind turbines on the ground, cumbersome and expensive, can capture only a small part of the wind energy.
2. Liberty
Is a system that allows disabled people to move independently during their stay in bed. The Liberty system contributes not only to solving various types of problems related to the motor limitations of these people (blood circulation, sleep disorders, muscle pains, etc.), but also to simulate the natural movements of the body, thus providing the opportunity to perform physiotherapy exercises.
3. SkyWhere
Natural light has important effects on the productivity of individuals. However, many people spend most of their working days inside buildings. SkyWhere is a sustainable lighting system capable of transmitting outdoor daylight inside buildings, thus improving people’s well-being and also saving energy consumption.
4. SmartCuff
The SmartCuff bracelet is a non-invasive device that measures different vital parameters of older people such as the level of stress, pain, hydration, in order to determine their state of health. SmartCuff is a device that is worn on the wrist, like a bracelet, and monitors the health of the elderly with the aim of ensuring, on the one hand, the autonomy and independence of the person and, on the other, to contribute to the reduction of hospitalization costs, treatments for chronic diseases, etc.
BEEHELPFUL
Bees are more than honey: pollination is feeding humanity. Bees are dying more frequently, with a dramatic social impact. Beekeepers around the world face the problem with chemical treatments in the hive, but without a definitive result. Beehelpful has developed a new type of beehives that improve the living conditions of bees, increase the ability to pollinate and reduce the chemical treatments of the hive. Thanks to a growing and widespread sensitivity on the bee problem, Beehelpful will provide the patented solution to beekeepers all over the world, to guarantee the future of the human food chain.
ECKER TECHNOLOGIES, GONDOLA® PROJECT
The start-up of Ticino Canton has developed the GONDOLA® medical device for the treatment of movement disorders of patients with neurological diseases, PARKINSON in particular. It delivers a non-invasive plantar stimulation with lasting benefits (on average, three to five days after treatment). The device was designed for home use by the patient in order to allow the maintenance of benefits over time. The project was presented by Francesco Cecchini.
2013
SwissLeg
2012
Newscron
2011
Designergy
2010
Bmob
2009
ViSSee