Schlieren-based b-rayz has entered a strategic partnership with Affidea, a European provider of specialist healthcare services operating in over 410 centers across 15 countries. Not only is Affidea a strategic investor in the startup, but it has also selected the startup as a preferred AI partner for breast imaging, creating new collaboration opportunities to accelerate product development, expand into new markets, and enhance customer offerings. The medtech is a leader in AI-powered breast imaging, supporting women throughout their diagnostic journey with a tailored ecosystem of solutions driven by clinical needs.
Two further startups addressing women-related health issues are also experiencing tailwinds from the ecosystem to accelerate their development. Red Drop Lab is redefining reinvent women’s medical monitoring with a new approach that relies on menstrual blood to obtain specific biomarkers, stem cells, valuable information on women’s health. The company provides users with a home sampling kit, accompanied by a mobile application for simple, precise and non-invasive health analyses. With the coaching from GENILEM, the company will be able to progress their development.
Momm Diagnostics, which develops rapid diagnostic tests for the detection and prognosis of preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that affects pregnant women, has been selected out of 1500 potential candidates to enter the MedTech Innovator for the 2025 Accelerator Cohort (MTI). This global accelerator for medical technology start-ups provides a tailored four-month program designed to support selected startups and accelerate the path to success in the US market.
Spirecut is also transforming the medical space with their ultrasound-guided, percutaneous instruments for the treatment of carpal-tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. The startup continues to enjoy a rapid international expansion – it has added six new territories to its 2025 roll-out with new commercial partners to support this growth.
In other sectors, the launch of NovoViz’s first-ever Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) camera into space is a testament to the robustness and reliability of its SPAD technology. Founded by Andrada Muntean, the solution aims to enable the detection of individual photons with exceptional speed and sensitivity. TotalEnergies Belgium has launched a dynamic electricity tariff offering with the help of exnaton’s platform. This partnership paved the way for exnaton to enter the Belgian market, setting the stage for its Europe-wide expansion.
While there were few funding rounds announced by female-led businesses, one particularly stands out. Seito Biologics, with Valerie Scholtes in the CFO role, has raised CHF 2.8 million to support the development of novel immunotherapies for autoimmune and chronic-inflammatory diseases. Private investors and the Lichtsteiner Foundation invested in the company.
Sizeable prizes and global recognition for female entrepreneurs
As every month, several awards prizes have been bestowed onto female entrepreneurs.
Upon winning the third stage of the Venture Kick competition, ZuriEV obtained CHF 150’000 to advance its liquid biopsy platform isolates tumor-specific extracellular vesicles (EVs) from blood using proprietary biomarkers developed in-house. Elena Börli, the founder of Sefit Health has also obtained the Venture Kick prize to advance its virtual reality-based training tool designed to assist individuals affected by sensory overload.
MYNERVA won the grand prize in the Venture startup competition, securing an award prize of CHF 150’000. The ETH-Spinoff developed an innovative neurostimulating medical device to reduce chronic pain and to restore the sense of touch in patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy, one of the most common complications of diabetes. In the same competition, rrreefs AG led category Social & Environmental Impact.
Another substantial cash prize was awarded at the W.A. de Vigier startup competition where Julie Böhning, CEO PAVE Space SA, Estelle Clerc, CEO CellX Biosolutions AG and Edwige Guinet, CEO Visienco AG were among the winners. They each obtained CHF120’000. Pave is developing efficient orbital logistics solutions, Vsienco developed Orgadroid, an AI-powered benchtop device that automates organoid sorting with precision and scalability, while CellX Biosolutions uses special bacteria that break down toxic chemicals like PFAS, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.
MassChallenge Switzerland announced this year’s cohort which women-led comprises companies such as Apheros, UNOMR, Abrica Genomics and Virtuosis. The program will provide them with access to industry players, investors as well as mentors, and the opportunity to secure non-dilutive funding. Also held in the Romandie region is the Genilem coaching program, for which Nuré Nutrition by Aurélie Dubuis BeyKirch and Florine Beukers qualified. The company will receive mentoring to advance their solution. They are developing a range of clean and natural supplements dedicated entirely to children. Meanwhile, Operversum, which offers training and equipment for drinking water filter assembly by local micro companies, and WeNurse, a specialist placement platform for medium to long-term assignments in care still in the run for the Social Impact Catalyst, a funding initiative for impact-oriented startups.
Beyond Swiss borders, female startups continue to shine on global stages. Natalya Laporeva, CEO and co-founder of Algorized has been named ‘AI Entrepreneur of the Year’ at VentureBeat’s annual Women in AI Awards ceremony, in recognition of her leadership and innovation in AI. The company develops sensing and perception AI with scalable, low-cost, and low-power software for sensor manufacturers.
Exploris Health COO, Caroline György, has also been selected for the Microsoft’s Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact Booster program where it will benefit from expert workshops, technical 1:1 sessions, coaching and more. Exploris leverages AI to develop precise, non-invasive tests. Its Cardio Explorer reliably detects life-threatening narrowing of the coronary arteries, the main cause of heart attacks.
Enerdrape and Virtuosis were awarded at the ODDO BHF Young Entrepreneurs Awards 2025 (OYEA) in Paris, an initiative designed to spotlight and support promising early-stage startups from France, Switzerland, and Germany. The prize includes cash ranging from €5,000 to €20,000, media exposure and personalized coaching from the ODDO BHF network.
Role models
Previously open leadership vacancies have been filled with experienced leaders, which not only sets the company son track to achieve their next milestones, but also introduces new female role models in the startup space. Biotech company Idorsia Pharmaceuticals has appointed Srishi Gupta as CEO, impressed by her wealth of experience in developing science-based solutions for medicine, strategy and healthcare systems. She has been engaged with the company as a Board Member since 2021.
Skyscale, the company behind Apfelkiste, the leading e-commerce platform for cell phone and tablet accessories, has welcomed Annette Bernath as its Chief Commercial Officer. She has several years of experience in retail and consumer goods and was most recently a member of the management team at the online store Brack, where she was responsible for the Household & Living division.
Upcoming Events
For female tech founders seeking to improve their fundraising skills, Barbara Fischer from Arena Ventures is hosting a workshop ‘Fundraising for Women Tech Founders’ to empower them with necessary tools and tips on this topic. The event takes place on 27.08.2025 14:00 – 20:00 at Signature by Regus in Zurich. Registration is open.
