Vanguard Accelerator Programme (Switzerland)

This immersive programme is a unique opportunity for early-stage start-ups to work with diverse and experienced digital health experts, who can advise on business plans and strategies. They include clinicians, nurses and pharmacists, alongside regulators, investors and IT specialists, all ready to offer their expertise. Any start-ups selected for the accelerator programme will benefit from exclusive real-world insights for business hypothesis testing and networking support to bring their innovation in digital health to life. In addition to enjoying six months of desk space at Biopôle, companies profit from the support of a dedicated programme manager, who makes sure they have the resources they need to build momentum and achieve their goals.

Successful applicants first attend an onboarding meeting to set critical objectives to achieve while on the programme. This is followed by six months of personalised support with a firm focus on helping the CEO and their team carry the business forwards. By providing access to experts across a range of disciplines and areas, the Biopôle Vanguard Accelerator seeks to challenge and consolidate business models and help companies embark on a new stage in their development.

Benefits

• Companies enrolled on the Vanguard Accelerator benefit from:
  • constructive feedback from the Vanguard experts
  • personalised follow-up from at least one Vanguard expert about a specific business strategy
  • regular meetings coordinated by the programme manager for broader access to the healthcare network and digital health stakeholders
  • six months of free access to the Digital Health Hub infrastructure, with up to two desks in an open workspace and use of the meeting rooms
  • discounted access to the DH2 infrastructure for the six months following the programme (subject to the approval of the Vanguard experts)
  • financial support to carry out projects in collaboration with H4, the hub for innovation in health and care in Vaud
  • dedicated support from partner organisations for financing, business modelling, coaching, etc. (if applicable).

Commitment

• The start-ups commit to:
  • being physically present at the Digital Health Hub on a regular basis for the full six months of the programme
  • following up with the experts they’ve been introduced to
  • mentioning the support they’ve received from the Vanguard Accelerator on their website throughout the time they are on the programme.

Eligibility Criteria

• They welcome applications from early-stage companies or projects that plan to deliver high-added-value work at Biopôle and in the canton of Vaud. The only prerequisites are that you’ve reached proof of concept (POC) and can show that the project has potentially impactful clinical relevance. So far, they have welcomed projects focusing on mobile health, electronic medical records, wearable devices, telemedicine and personalised medicine. However, any health project that integrates digital technologies is welcome to apply.
• To apply for the Vanguard Accelerator, complete the application form online. Applications are accepted all-year round and undergo a review process. Suitable companies are then invited to present to the Vanguard experts. The experts select companies for the programme based on the quality of the application, the project’s potential impact, its clinical relevance and how well it fits with the committee’s expertise.

For more information, visit Biopôle SA.