Two Ignition grants for Scidentify and ECHO
© 2023 EPFL
The EPFL Startup Launchpad has granted two Ignition grants of CHF30,000 each to EPFL-based startup projects Scidentify, which aims to irradiate acute myeloid leukaemia, and ECHO, which is dedicated to advancing a low-carbon society.
Scidentify
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a form of blood cancer which starts in bone marrow. The marrow produces abnormal white blood cells which, in time, can lead to a range of secondary health problems. The disease progresses very quickly and even with comprehensive chemotherapy treatment, over half of patients will relapse. The team at Scidentify plan to use their spatial mass cytometry technology to identify cells which are resistant to treatment sooner and enable patient personalized treatment plans.
The EPFL startup project, which aims to irradicate acute myeloid leukaemia – has been awarded a CHF 30,000.- Ignition grant by EPFL's Startup Launchpad. The team has already filed one patent and will be filing two additional patents by the end of the year. They will use their grant to continue developing their software and take the next steps towards commercialization.
Contact:
Cedric David Koolen, Founder
ECHO
The escalating demand for renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, is undeniable. Yet, meeting this growing appetite for green energy, especially in remote areas, poses formidable challenges. Despite the existence of battery and hydrogen options, they come with their limitations. Batteries can be unwieldy, especially for high energy demands, and have a finite lifespan. Hydrogen gas demands high-pressure or extremely low-temperature storage, and its clean production is costly.
The EPFL-based project dedicated to advancing a decarbonized society believes they possess a viable solution to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of renewable energy. Ammonia (NH3), a widely-used compound composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, remains liquid under reasonable conditions and holds the key as an efficient hydrogen carrier. Historically, the catalyst required for ammonia decomposition and hydrogen production relied on rare metals, driving up costs. However, the ECHO team has ingeniously developed a novel catalyst using non-rare metals, reducing ammonia decomposition costs by over 200%.
With the Ignition grant of CHF 30,000.-, the team aims to expedite their startup's growth, address potential risks, and formulate a robust business case for the next steps towards commercialization.
Contact:
Kevin Turani-I-Belloto, Founder