Ypsomed Innovation Award promotes startups in Switzerland; Receives 30-40 applications annually
The Ypsomed Innovation Award promotes young companies with forward-looking ideas
Page last update: 01.09.2026 - 4:12pm © by Ypsomed
For nearly three decades, the Ypsomed Innovation Award has stood for one idea: innovation deserves more than recognition, it needs support to become reality. What is now an established platform for startups and university projects began in the late 1990s with a clear vision from company founder Willy Michel – not only to recognize innovation, but also to actively promote it.
The idea arose from Michel’s work as a jury member for a temporary innovation award. “We saw many promising projects there, and I wanted to create a long-term opportunity to support such initiatives,” Michel recalls. In 1997, he founded the Disetronic Innovation Fund, which was endowed with one million Swiss francs. The goal was to promote young companies with forward-looking ideas while giving something back to the Bern economic region.
From the very beginning, the fund wasn’t just about prize money. It could also invest in award-winning companies and take an equity stake. This approach had a lasting impact. For example, CAScination, now a successful medtech company, emerged from an award-winning project. CAScination develops, manufactures, and markets solutions for computer-assisted and image-guided surgery. Its technologies support minimally invasive procedures, including high-precision tumor treatments and cochlear implantations. The innovation fund was later transferred to the Ypsomed Foundation, where it continues to evolve.
A bridge between universities and industry
To this day, the focus remains on knowledge transfer between universities and industry. For Willy Michel, this is crucial: “Switzerland is a knowledge-based nation and must remain so in the future.” Accordingly, the jury brings together representatives from universities, industry, and consulting firms. Projects are systematically evaluated, and the most compelling ones are honored.
For Willy Michel, a good innovation project is forward-looking and feasible. This is precisely where the award comes in. Over the years, it has evolved alongside Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem.
Evolving with the innovation ecosystem
Regula Buob currently heads the Ypsomed Innovation Award. In her role as Managing Director and member of the Foundation Board, she brings fresh ideas to the table. Around 30 to 40 applications are received each year, many of which are of a very high standard. “The quality is impressive. Startups today know much better how to present their ideas,” says Buob. This demonstrates how much the startup ecosystem and the support provided by universities have evolved over the past 15 years.
Simon Michel, who has been Foundation President for two years, has noticed the same trend: “The quality of the projects and the entrepreneurial maturity of the teams have increased significantly.” The award itself has also evolved. What began as a funding initiative has become a platform that creates visibility, builds connections, and actively promotes innovation. Today, the award is presented annually and honors projects from a wide variety of fields, including medtech, life sciences, and other technological innovations. The focus remains clear: startups and their ideas take center stage.
The award continues beyond the ceremony. Alumni events connect former winning teams, encourage exchange, and open up new perspectives. At the same time, the platform continues to grow. The goal is to increase the visibility of the projects and support them in their search for investors.
The jury has also grown. In addition to university and institutional representatives, it now includes more former award winners and experienced entrepreneurs. “This connection to real-world practice is crucial for accurately assessing potential,” says Simon Michel.
For Ypsomed, the added value lies less in direct business benefits and more in the broader innovation ecosystem. “It’s important to operate within an innovative ecosystem,” says Simon Michel. At the same time, the award underlines Ypsomed’s long-standing commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship – an important factor in attracting talent.
The fact that the award is independently organized underscores its credibility. The foundation makes its own decisions, and the winners are not chosen by the company. lt is supported by a high-caliber network of businesses, researchers, and investors.
The basic idea remains unchanged and is more relevant than ever. “We want to continue highlighting projects with the potential to create real added value,” says Simon Michel. As Willy Michel puts it: “Entrepreneurship means taking action, not just talking about it, but doing it.”
Entries for the Ypsomed Innovation Award 2027 will be accepted until 27 September 2026.
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