In the summer of 2022, Switzerland Innovation Park Ost AG (SIP Ost) merged with Startfeld . As a promoter of innovation in eastern Switzerland, it is the task of SIP Ost to promote new ideas and promising (research) projects in eastern Switzerland and beyond. The integration of Startfeld – the start-up promotion of Eastern Switzerland – was a logical and sensible step.
We spoke to Sascha Fritsche to find out how the merger was perceived by the “Startfeld Start-ups” and what changes it resulted in for them. Sascha is co-founder and CEO of Galventa , a start-up that was funded by Startfeld in 2021 and won the Startfeld Diamond in the same year.
Who is Galventa and what is your innovation?
Galventa stands for “Galenic Innovation” and was founded in 2021 as an AG. We want to help you control your internal clock to wake up with ease. We achieve this by developing innovative and patented platform technologies that enable us to create unique and clinically proven nutritional supplements. We market our first innovation under the name B・SYNC ON. The B・SYNC ON is the world’s first clinically tested dietary supplement that supports and improves the waking process. Getting up in the morning has never been easier.
Where do you currently stand with your innovation and what are the next steps?
Our mission is to improve the effectiveness of nutritional supplements in the area of waking up and sleeping. We are therefore always working on developing new technologies. In addition to B・SYNC ON FORTE (a stronger form of our B・SYNC ON wake-up capsule), we are also working on B・SYNC OFF. This remedy uses a unique technology that allows the active ingredients of B・SYNC OFF to be released into the blood quickly, thereby helping you fall asleep faster.
How were you connected to Startfeld before the merger in July 2022?
In addition to the funding and the network, we have always been happy to use the starting field as a location for meetings. Among other things, we were able to shoot a recording for RTL in the starting field and hold other meetings, general meetings and network events on site. At the same time, we were given the opportunity to take part in the Startfeld Investors Forum several times, which enabled us to exchange information with investors in an informal setting at an early stage.
The Switzerland Innovation Park Ost (SIP Ost) promotes cooperation between companies, start-ups and universities to find solutions to pressing global challenges. With our focus on selected key topics, we drive innovations forward in a targeted manner. For us, the term innovation means not only the generation of new business ideas, but also their successful implementation in the market.
What changes did the merger bring to you? Do you feel these?
So far, the changes have not been too noticeable for us as a start-up. Of course we have high hopes!
What are the advantages for you from the merger of Startfeld with SIP Ost?
In order to be interesting as a business location for qualified employees and thus for start-ups, we are very pleased that resources are being pooled and the signal effect for the location is being strengthened even further. The excellent networking with research in Eastern Switzerland and beyond will also help even more start-ups to settle in Eastern Switzerland. This in turn promotes the exchange among the start-ups and hopefully also the innovative strength.
What do you hope for in the future from the merger of Startfeld with SIP Ost?
We hope that eastern Switzerland will continue to become more attractive for employees and start-ups. This gives us easier access to qualified workers and experts in the SIP Ost network. The expansion of the development and laboratory infrastructure is certainly also interesting for us.
