EPFL and Groupe Mutuel launch startup accelerator for FemTech
To mark International Women's Day, insurer Groupe Mutuel and EPFL Innovation Park are jointly launching a startup accelerator to promote technologies for women's health. "Tech4Eva" marks a first in Switzerland.
Many health-related products, services and technologies are often not designed for women. However, there are many areas that require specific solutions for women's issues, such as pregnancy, menstruation, fertility or menopause. In Switzerland and Europe, very few companies and startups are addressing these issues. EPFL and Groupe Mutuel want to encourage the development of these startups and support them through EPFL's Innovation Park and high-quality mentoring. A startup accelerator has now been launched under the title "Tech4Eva". In it, selection programs, workshops and coaching are planned to develop a business model and promote the maturation of new technologies for women's health.
Startup accelerator for Swiss and European startups
A selection committee will determine a maximum of 15 startups to be supported in this first season. The goal is to address issues around women's health in terms of prevention, support and treatment. Tech4Eva focuses on innovative solutions in areas such as pregnancy, fertility, menstruation, menopause, mental health and family life. The products and services developed by the selected young companies are focused on technological solutions such as apps, internet platforms, diagnostic tools, therapeutic tools or preventive medicine supported by artificial intelligence (AI). The program will last 9 months and is open to companies from Switzerland and Europe.
A win-win partnership
The selected start-ups benefit from one of the best healthcare systems in Europe. Thanks to the EPFL Innovation Park network and its incubator La Forge, they gain access to international collaborations and investors. At Groupe Mutuel, they can also work on pilot projects and have access to a dynamic market with one of the leading Swiss health insurers. EPFL Innovation Park and Groupe Mutuel are convinced of the necessity of new technologies for women and speak of a "win-win partnership": "Unfortunately, women's issues are often forgotten when developing technological solutions regarding health. With this partnership, we want to close this gap in Switzerland," explains Thomas Boyer, CEO of Groupe Mutuel, for example. "We are delighted to be able to work with Groupe Mutuel to help boost the productivity and creativity of 50 percent of the population with a support program for femtech startups," adds Jean-Philippe Lallement, Executive Director at EPFL Innovation Park.
Source: Groupe Mutuel
