Building bridges across borders: The AIT Programme 2024 connects Swiss and Indian innovators in sustainability and deep tech

In a world where technology and sustainability are intertwined, the need for innovative solutions to global challenges is more pressing than ever. Switzerland and India are key players in the global innovation landscape, with each country possessing unique strengths in deep tech, health tech, and sustainability.

Recognising the mutual benefit of collaboration, the Leading House South Asia hosted by Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), in partnership with Swissnex in India, and Venturelab executes the Academia-Industry Training (AIT) Programme. Now in its eleventh edition, this initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, empowering both Swiss and Indian startups to explore, adapt, and scale their ideas internationally.

AIT 2024: More than a decade of bilateral collaboration

The AIT Programme 2024 builds upon a legacy of collaboration and innovation exchange, offering a structured, immersive experience for startups from Switzerland and India. Through the programme, Swiss startups immerse themselves in India, while Indian startups are provided similar opportunities in Switzerland, allowing these companies to understand and adapt to the demands of a new market.

This year’s cohort—chosen through a rigorous selection process—is one of the most competitive yet, bringing together 20 early-stage startups representing a broad range of industries. A key highlight is the Bengaluru Tech Summit where Swiss startups pitched their innovations alongside their Indian counterparts, fostering opportunities for cross-border collaborations in real time.

How AIT has evolved to meet emerging innovation needs

Running for over a decade, AIT has constantly adapted to the evolving dynamics of the Swiss-Indian innovation ecosystem. As the Leading House South Asia reflects. “AIT has continually evolved to meet changing priorities, selecting startups focused on emerging fields like sustainability and deep tech. It remains a valuable bridge between academic research and industrial implementation.”

Over time, AIT has aligned its focus with global needs, emphasising areas like environmental challenges, sustainable technologies, and deep tech applications. By connecting sciencepreneurs with the necessary support and networks, the programme empowers them to refine their ideas into viable solutions for real-world problems. Startups like Qaptis Sàrl, specialising in CO₂ capture technology, and Oxyle AG, pioneering PFAS destruction in water treatment, exemplify AIT’s commitment to fostering meaningful, sustainable innovations.

The impact of AIT is best seen in the journey of its alumni, who have leveraged the programme to bridge the gap between academic research and industry applications. Through AIT’s support, Swiss startups like Synthara Technologies and SoHytec have successfully scaled their solutions, raising significant funding and establishing traction in both Swiss and international markets. These companies, along with Perovskia Solar AG—a solar tech startup with over 10 early adopter clients—highlight how AIT facilitates real-world impact and scalability.

A core component of AIT’s value lies in highlighting emerging entrepreneurs to both Indian and Swiss markets, as well as the cultural and commercial nuances that come with them. This approach encourages sciencepreneurs to test their ideas, embrace the challenges of cross-border adaptation, and find new pathways to market readiness.

Meet the 20 AIT 2024 startups

This year’s AIT cohort includes some of the brightest minds from Switzerland and India, with each startup working towards solutions that address global challenges.

Swiss Startups

• Azure Cell Therapies: Founded by Bilal Fares, Azure Cell Therapies is developing the next generation of cell therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) that are safe (of low risk of tumour formation), scalable (off-the-shelf with simplified manufacturing), and have sustained disease-modifying effects.
• BCellOne: Led by Miguel Solsona is a biotechnology startup focused on developing advanced cell and gene therapy solutions.
• Brightank: Founded by Kevin Turani-I-Belloto, BrighTank accelerates industrial decarbonisation by elevating ammonia as a powerful and practical green liquid fuel through an innovative catalyst, paving the way for a greener future.
• Impli AG: Led by Heath Hartle, Impli is a biotech company working on subdermal hormone monitoring platforms.The device is expected to improve convenience for women who suffer from infertility by removing the need to have blood draws.
• Inveel GmbH: Founded by Barbara Horvath, Inveel revolutionises robotics with a cutting-edge sensory skin technology, equipping robots with advanced capabilities
• Myriad Optics: Led by Fahradin Mujovi, Myriad Optics aims to safer food supply chair comprehensive bacteria and identification tech combine optical spect microfluidics and mac to detect and identify bacteria in under two hours than days.
• Onescope: Onescope aims to make respiratory care accessible and reliable for everyone with Pneumoscope that integrates a digital stethoscope, a pulse oximeter, and a thermometer into a single, user- friendly device
• Phorest: Phorest aims to bring about a transformation for pharmaceutical production by replacing petroleum-based feedstocks with widespread and currently underutilised biomass-derived lignin.
• SaisiR: SaisiR introduces a revolutionary therapy based on personalisation and neurotechnologies to bridge the gap between the brain and the upper limb. Enhanced by neuromodulation, the system enables complex movements, fostering neuroplasticity and recovery.
• Separitic: Aims is to develop ultrahigh permeance membranes for 100 times cheaper and 10000 times faster separation of Helium/Hydrogen compared to the traditional approach.

Indian Startups:

• 4 Base Care: Co-founded by Hitesh Goswami and Kshitij Rishi, 4 Base Care is a precision oncology company which focuses on personalising cancer care using advanced genomics and digital health technology.
• AI Health Highway: Founded by Dr. (Maj) Satish S. Jeevannavar, the startup develops AI-based healthcare solutions to enhance patient monitoring and diagnosis.
• Bioartha Labs: BioArtha Labs is a leading biotechnology company specialising in high-quality products for molecular biology, protein biology, chromatography, and in vitro diagnostics (IVD).
• Doto Health: Led by Nikesh Ingle, Doto Health believes in creating equal opportunities of care for women and focuses on improving women's health by providing digital solutions for healthcare providers that offer services to women during pregnancy.
• Eliteck Hydrogen: Led by Snehangshu Patra, Eliteck Hydrogen manufactures indigenous portable hydrogen gas generators for home.
• Froots Technologies: Co-founded by Shefalika Sharma and Shefali Beri, this startup develops innovative food technology solutions to enhance food safety across supply chains.
• Genomiki: Led by Dr. Deeksha Bhartiya, Genomiki conducts genomic research to enable personalised medicine based on genetic profiles.
• Next Big Innovation Labs: Founded by Alok Medikepura Anil, bridges the gap between organ demand and availability for organ transplantation via 3D bioprinting solutions.
• Rechargion Energy: Led by Vilas Shelke, Rechargion develops high performance rechargeable sodium-ion battery cells that have potential to reduce cost, enable local supply chain and provide safety of operations
• Vemsa Biotech: Founded by Vijay Satish, Vemsa's Parkinson's Disease Nasal Drops was developed for the therapeutic management of the disease.

This year’s startups embody AIT’s commitment to impactful innovation, using the programme’s resources to refine their models and align with market-specific needs. According to Leading House South Asia and Iran, ZHAW, “The AIT programme is invaluable in connecting early-stage startups with the ecosystems in India and Switzerland, allowing them to test and adapt their ideas in an international context.”

Alumni testimonials reinforce AIT’s lasting impact. Alexander Kübler of RoBoa describes how AIT “helped us refine our business model, exposing us to market dynamics and local expectations”. Similarly, Donato Rubinetti of Ionic Wind Technologies values the cross-cultural insights gained, particularly in understanding customer differences between India and Switzerland, which have influenced his approach to other international markets.

As Swiss and Indian entrepreneurs gathered at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, AIT 2024 is a testament to cross-border collaboration and impactful innovation. By offering structured mentorship, immersive cultural experiences, and strategic networking, AIT continues to provide the necessary foundation for startups looking to expand their reach and deliver solutions that resonate across borders.