Nanolive closes its first financing round
scroll south
EPFL spin-off Nanolive SA, venture kick and venture leader USA 2013 alumni, successfully closed its first financing round with accrued capitalisation of CHF 2.7 million.
Nanolive achieved its first funding round with more money than expected, thanks to twenty-five F&F investors and its initial funding (in addition to CHF 550’000 in grants and the support of two PhD theses, infrastructure and laboratory space and filing of IP). "We are extremely thankful to all our enthusiastic supporters and friends who have believed in us since the beginning", said Lisa Pollaro, Communications manager at Nanolive. The company was incorporated in November 2013 at the EPFL Innovation Park by Dr. Yann Cotte (CEO) and Dr. Fatih Toy, following the completion of their respective PhD thesis at the EPFL Microsystems laboratory of Prof. Christian Depeursinge (Head of Advisory Board).Living cell 3D imaging
Nanolive is active in the field of research and development of new techniques for cell imaging. Its heart consists of a disruptive proprietary technology, holographic tomography: a laser-based cell tomography system combined with a powerful algorithm that, for the first time ever, allows the exploration of the interior of a living cell in 3D without modifying and thus damaging it. This discovery has been published in Nature Photonics in January 2013 and the 3D Cell Explorer is now available for pre-order.
Initiating the next leap in life science
Nanolive’s goal is to bring advanced medical imaging technologies to the public, encouraging technological progress, promoting and supporting scientific research and contributing to human well-being by assisting the development of new medical treatment. This cutting-edge technology is in the process of initiating the next leap in life science by introducing the unique opportunity to learn, observe and interact with living cells using advanced technology (view examples of cell images and time-lapse movies on Nanolive’s new website). Several markets are targeted with this technology, including education, research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics and cosmetics.
"This first financing round will enable us to secure our product's pre-series in order to bring an affordable device to our customers. Our goal is to give every biologist, physician, scholar and student in labs, schools and universities all over the world the chance to explore and interact directly with living cells. It has required a tremendous amount of energy, effort and creativity to invent all the necessary technologies to make this possible", commented Lisa Pollaro.
Great momentum created in the public
Nanolive won numerous startup competitions such as the EPFL Innovation grant, the EPFL Enable grant, venture kick and the Bioinnovation prize 2013. It has also been voted among the 20 most promising venture leaders startups in 2013: "We are grateful above all to venturelab and the venture leaders. It was a great occasion to get a kick start into the entrepreneurial world and to meet other young entrepreneurs in the same situation than us, with whom to exchange experience", explained Lisa Pollaro. Numerous newspaper articles have been published about Nanolive. The company has built a strong advisory board with experts in technology, business and entrepreneurship, and is supported by experienced patent agents and corporate lawyers.
1st birthday event on November 25
On November 25th, Nanolive is organizing a big event to celebrate its first Birthday in its headquarters (EPFL Innovation Park area). Don’t miss this exceptional occasion to meet the start-up's founders and to discover their smart 3D cell imaging technology: register here.
