Swiss team to explore investment avenues, tie-ups in healthcare

The MedTech and healthcare startup ecosystem in the city is set to get a boost with a delegation from Switzerland visiting Bengaluru in search of possible collaborations and investments.  

Starting on  Sunday, the Swiss delegation consisting of 11 entrepreneurs, researchers and investors will tour India, specifically Bengaluru and New Delhi, the two most prominent startup hubs in the country.

For the next one week, the delegates will immerse themselves into the Medtech and healthcare startup ecosystem of the two cities. The tour is being organised by Swissnex India, an initiative of the Consulate General of Switzerland. Swissnex works closely with science and technology counsellors based in Swiss embassies around the world.

Dr. Shwetha Suresh, manager, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Swissnex India told Deccan Herald: “India is a great destination for business with a great ecosystem for startups and innovation. This is an opportunity for businesses on both sides to set up shop, collaborate and showcase their products.” The delegates will also meet over 50 key stakeholders from the same sector and it will also involve visits to hospitals, research institutions, life-sciences companies and enablers.

As part of the tour, there will also be a ‘Pitch Fest’ where 10 Indian startups and six Swiss startups will pitch for four Indian investors and three Swiss investors, respectively. The goal is to help bridge the financing gap for good technology by presenting them to serious investors and a select audience.

Dr Shwetha further said that while India was known to import a number of medical devices, it had its own strength in various low-tech medical devices. The Swiss, who are known in the field of precision engineering, also have their own technology to boast of in this sector. “Each party can understand the scenario and there is a possibility of a lot of learning on both sides,” she added.

Products on show
From startups that specialise in making cost-effective products that monitor heart, breath and sleep for personal and clinical use to those that make bone graft substitutes based on silk fibroin will be on show. Startups on both sides will showcase their expertise and products like tools to automatically convert and store medical records or provide 3D printed surgical models and guides.