Sensoryx: The Venture Leader Technology with the world’s smallest 3D tracker

21.03.2022 07:00, Isabelle Mitchell

The Venture Leaders Technology expert jury had their work cut out for them this year: They had to look through 180 applications to choose the 10 members of the Swiss National Startup team that will travel to Silicon Valley in April. Before the 10 entrepreneurs meet with international investors and industry leaders to strengthen their business network and advance their globalization, we want to introduce you to each of the 10 Venture Leaders Technology 2022: Meet Fabian Wenner, the co-founder and CFO of Sensoryx. 

Sensoryx develops and sells innovative hard- and software solutions to track human and object motion with very high precision—with a particular focus on AR [augmented reality] and VR [virtual reality] use cases (training and education in the metaverse). The Zurich-based startup licenses its globally patented 3D tracking technology to large electronics manufacturers that integrate its algorithms into their headsets to use with their device ecosystem. Sensoryx’s unique technology offers high precision at the smallest form factor and on-the-go operation.
 
Name: Fabian Wenner    
Location: Zürich 
Nationality: Swiss, German 
Graduated from: University St.Gallen, PhD in Econometrics, 2001
Job title: CFO, Co-founder, and Chairman at Sensoryx
Number of employees: 7 
Money raised: CHF 3.2 million 
First touchpoint with Venturelab: 2011, Innosuisse Start-up Training
 
Fabian, could you summarize in one sentence what Sensoryx does?  
Sensoryx technology redefines human interaction with the metaverse, aka the 3rd digital wave, aka spatial computing.
 
How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
Having grown up with films like Tron and having tested the first early VR headsets, I wanted to capture human motion precisely and reliably and came across the MA thesis of my co-founder Rolf Adelsberger (Practical Motion Capture in Everyday Surroundings). We met and drafted up the idea and vision for Sensoryx—to interact naturally with the virtual world. 
 
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders Technology roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
Raising our next round with an SV VC will help us win additional strategic partners for our next development phase. We want to scale our tech across several licensees to make our tracking the global standard for all new XR [extended reality] devices. 
 
What is one thing not many people know about you?
I dislike secrets, can sew gloves, and morse at 10 wpm. 
 
What was your dream job when you were a child?
To become an inventor of novel types of vehicles to explore uncharted regions.
 
What is the one talent you wish you had?
To have the talent of acting. 
 
What is a topic you would like to learn more about?
Ancient history, participate in an excavation like Ebla (if peace ever returns to Syria).
 
 What is your favorite movie?  
Gattaca by Andrew Niccol. The movie confronts the force of will with genetic limits. 
 
What are you most proud of?
Of all the things we have achieved at Sensoryx.
 
How did you come up with the name of your startup?  
We utilize different sensor types for capturing motion data and will provide sensory (haptic) feedback to enhance the immersion.  
 
What is your favorite productivity hack?  
Drinking green tea, specifically Gyokuro, and removing distractions from the environment. 
 
 How and where do you clear your mind?  
I go for a walk or run. Typically that’s where the best ideas originate. 
 
Who inspires you?  
Any person or creature that is genuinely friendly, helpful, enthusiastic, and patient. Sometimes that can be our family dog. 
 
Which startup do you wish you had founded? 
Not a startup, but the checkpoint inhibitor work done by Tasuku Honjo and James Allison, for which they received the 2018 Nobel prize, will be redefining this centuries’ cancer therapies.  
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being a founder?  
Withstanding the pressure from running out of money while developing a revolutionary product well and quickly while finding and attracting the right customers and investors. 
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder? 
Achieving your goals together in a motivated team and moving your vision forward.  
 
What is something you wish you had known about being a founder?  
Sleepless nights. 

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?  
Dust yourself off and do it again. 
 
What is your greatest professional failure, and what did you learn from it?  
Having to “underspend” on marketing so far to sustain liquidity despite our products being significantly better than what is currently sold by others. 


For more information and updates on Sensoryx and the Venture Leaders Technology 2022, follow #VLeadersTech on social media and on www.venture-leaders.ch/technology.

The Venture Leaders Technology 2022 program is organized by Venturelab and supported by dpd Switzerland, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Kellerhals Carrard, Rothschild & Co, and the Canton of Vaud.