10 new Venture Leaders Life Sciences get Ready for the Global Stage

Ten new startups have been selected for this year’s Venture Leaders Life Sciences program. Chosen from over 60 applicants from all over Switzerland, the winners will be celebrated at the Swiss Biotech Day in September. The entrepreneurs, the Swiss National Startup Team, then plan on traveling to Boston, United States, for a week-long roadshow in November.

Because of COVID-19, the Venture Leaders Life Sciences program started differently this year: The selection of the Venture Leaders Life Sciences was performed online, and the kick-off event and roadshow have been postponed to fall. However, the new format did not affect the quality, ambitions, and innovative spirit of the 60 entrepreneurs and their startups.

The Venture Leaders startup development program supports the 10 selected entrepreneurs with a solid network, market exposure, feedback from investors and experts, and hands-on business development. A jury of investors and experts selected the winning startups, which are developing ground-breaking technologies and solutions in their fields. “The selection of Venture Leaders Life Sciences 2020 showcases outstanding solutions, and I am convinced that our partners in the US will value the quality and expertise of this year’s winners,” said Jordi Montserrat, managing partner of Venturelab. “Having three female founders and CEOs, which is a third of the selected startups, further strengthens the development of women continuing to lead and disrupt the life sciences field.”

Delving into the US biotech and medtech startup ecosystem
Venturelab’s ongoing support of the selected team during the extended preparation period includes visibility for the team, making online introductions, and preparing the next steps: a big kick-off in September at the Swiss Biotech Day 2020 and a one-week roadshow to Boston, now planned for November, where the Venture Leaders will be pitching to key US investors and meeting leaders and experts of the biotech and medtech industries. Boston is one of the world’s major life sciences hubs and the ideal springboard for ambitious startups on their way to global expansion.

“Venture Leaders was an incredible experience for me and Synendos Therapeutics. The program provided a thorough understanding of the US Life Science ecosystem and enabled us to establish contacts with top-quality entrepreneurs, experts, and investors,” said Andrea Chicca, who is the Co-Founder, CEO and CSO at Synendos Therapeutics AG and Venture Leader Life Sciences 2019.

Venture Leaders Life Sciences 2020 is organized by Venturelab and supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Hansjörg Wyss, Kellerhals Carrard, Paul Scherrer Institute, swissnex Boston, University of Zurich, Canton de Vaud, Ypsomed, and the Canton of Zurich.
 

Congratulations to the Venture Leaders Life Sciences winners 2020!