Meet HexagonFab co-founder Christoph von Bieberstein and discover how he simplifies the analysis of proteins and small molecules

17.09.2021 09:55, Isabelle Mitchell

Christoph von Bieberstein co-founded HexagonFab, a Venture Leader Biotech that democratizes protein characterization. The Zurich-based startup uses electrical detection and has developed a microchip capable of analyzing proteins and their interactions in a simple and affordable plug-and-play tool that fits into the palm of your hand. Learn more about Christoph's expectations for the Venture Leaders biotech experience, and find out which almost-namesake inspires him to stay curious.

Switzerland boasts one of the world’s most renowned and innovative biotech industries. To do justice to this powerful position, Swiss biotech startups now have their own Venture Leaders program: During their roadshow, the Venture Leaders Biotech will meet international investors and industry leaders and access industry-specific expertise and networks to grow their companies. For the next few weeks, we shine the spotlight on the 10 Venture Leaders Biotech 2021 and introduce you to the inaugural graduates of the program. To learn more about the startups, we asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose at least six questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life.

Name: Christoph von Bieberstein
Location: Zurich
Nationality: German
Graduated from: University of St.Gallen 
Your job title: Co-founder and commercial director of HexagonFab
Number of employees: 10
Money raised: CHF 2.4 million 
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2019, at a Venturelab Biotech Training    

"At HexagonFab, we develop analytical tools for advanced drug discovery."    

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
I called up an old friend, Ruizhi, in the summer of 2018. We were talking about his research and his plans for the future. At the time, he was working on a new type of sensor. We quickly realized, with our complementary skills (he technical, I commercial), we could turn this technology into a product that can be truly transformative. A few dinners and late-night discussions later, we became the co-founders of HexagonFab.    

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders program, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
Our purpose is to enable scientists in life science to discover the next generation of therapies and diagnostics by providing them analytical tools to analyze novel molecules. In the Venture Leaders program, we look forward to meeting with life science tool investors in Europe and the US to secure the next round of funding. Additionally, we look forward to meeting with innovative biotech and diagnostic companies to explore how our tools might help them achieve their vision.    

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
Haha, anyone who knows me will laugh now: I can't sit still for more than 10 minutes, so I am really bad at movies—to the frustration of anyone inquiring if I have seen this and that movie or referring to a scene or character. Ask our team for the low lights.        

What is your favorite book?
The Log of Christopher Columbus' First Voyage to America in the Year 1492. It's a good reminder that no matter how advanced we might think we are today, the generation living in 300 years will pity us for how little we understand the world around us. There is still a lot to explore and understand.    

What is always in your fridge?
Two beers in case a friend stops by.                

What is your favorite productivity hack?
Getting up early, going for a run, and having a few hours before any phone calls or meetings.

How and where do you clear your mind?
In the mountains: running, mountain biking, or ski-touring.                

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
In an environment of high uncertainty—like in a startup—the best way to get to the "correct" decision quickly is by making fast decisions and then correcting it if it was wrong. If you try to get every decision right, you spend a lot of time seeking advice and reading up on subjects only to realize that your "best-informed" decision was still wrong and then you have to correct it as well, only now it's a lot later on your watch.    

Last but not least, could you show us your workspace?
        

For more information and updates on HexagonFab and the Venture Leaders Biotech, follow the Venture Leaders Biotech 2021 team with #VLeadersBiotech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 

Venture Leaders Biotech 2021 is co-organized by Venturelab and Swissnex and supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, VISCHER, and the Canton of Zurich.