Venture Leader biped snags two victories at the Mobile World Congress

02.03.2023 15:30, Morgane Ghilardi

The Swiss startup biped, which is participating in this year's Venture Leaders Mobile investor roadshow in Barcelona, won two pitch competitions at the 4YFN startup event and Mobile World Congress.

biped is a smart navigation harness that serves as a copilot for blind and visually impaired people. Worn around the shoulders, it uses self-driving technology to guide people with auditory inputs, complementing the use of a white cane or guide dog.

At the end of last year, the startup was chosen to join the Swiss National Startup Team as a Venture Leader Mobile 2023, a program that helps startups expand their global network and accelerate their growth. The Venture Leaders have been in Barcelona all week, attending the 4YFN startup fair at the center of the Mobile World Congress.

On Monday, biped won the 4YFN 2023 Tech & Planet Pitch Battle, which showcases promising startups making a difference in green tech, sustainability, and social innovation. biped convinced the expert jury of specialized investors with its novel solution and its potential to increase the mobility and freedom of people with visual impairments.
 

Huge congratulations to the winners of today's #4YFN23 pitch battles! ?? ??

Tech & Planet - @biped_ai
FinTech - @SparcoInc_

Well done to you both ?? pic.twitter.com/CP38WOoiO9

— #4YFN23 (@4YFN_MWC) February 27, 2023

The startup was also shortlisted in the Mobile World Congress and 4YFN's Pitch2Pitch competition, which gives attending startups a chance to compete for a spot on the fair's biggest presentation platform. During the three-day competition, startups went toe to toe to get into the final round in front of four expert judges: Ian Fogg of Opensignal, Luke Pearce of CCS Insight, Julie Ssali of GSMA Intelligence, and Justin Springham of Mobile World Live.

 

Our third shortlisted company for #Pitch2Pitch we have BiPed! The judged loved the natural pitch and product display to assist blind people - Good luck on the heats ?? pic.twitter.com/1hTNVDnUG4

— Mobile World Live (@mobileworldlive) March 1, 2023

And here are the finalists for #Pitch2Pitch! Who will win? Check out the program LIVE now ?? https://t.co/QgmCGJkY3u pic.twitter.com/5PgTQzmOae

— Mobile World Live (@mobileworldlive) March 1, 2023

biped's CEO Mael Fabien, who was wearing the harness during his pitch, explained how the technology could help people with visual impairment navigate the world more safely and how the business model will be developed.

Luke Pearce gave his vote to the Swiss startup, saying "biped is just very unique and interesting." Justin Springham and Julis Ssali were also most impressed by the young startup, making biped the final winner of the Pitch2Pitch competition. The winner's pitch was screened in two prominent locations today, giving the startup significant visibility at the Mobile World Congress.