A total of 34 projects were submitted to the competition. As part of the selection process, all project dossiers were reviewed by a jury of six experts. The evaluation criteria were innovation potential and originality, market implementation potential, technical feasibility and the experts’ overall impression of the team, the dossier and the live presentations.   

Each year, the impressive entries for our Innovation Award demonstrate the extraordinary creativity and innovative strength of the local start-up scene. We are delighted to be able to shine a spotlight on three outstanding projects this year. These research developments have the potential to have a lasting impact on our economy and society – provided they can be put into practice. With our competition, we want to help the founders take another step on their long journey and encourage them to keep going,

said Simon Michel, President of the Ypsomed Innovation Fund, at the award ceremony attended by around 200 guests.

The winners of the Ypsomed Innovation Award 2025 are:

1st place: Yuon Control AG (Bern University of Applied Sciences)

Yuon Control AG develops high-precision technologies and systems for building automation and energy management. With a focus on modern control and regulation technology, the company offers solutions based on advanced sensor, IoT1 and software platforms. Yuon Control AG's systems enable seamless integration of data from different sources, enabling precise analysis and optimisation of energy flows and building functions. The company relies on open standards, modular architecture and scalable technologies to ensure maximum flexibility and interoperability.

Runners-up:

Xemperia (University of Fribourg)

Xemperia is a spin-off project of the University of Fribourg and is setting new standards in the early detection and monitoring of cancer, with a focus on breast cancer. The company is developing technologies that combine state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics with powerful data analysis and AI-based pattern recognition. Using precise biomolecular tests and intelligent algorithms, Xemperia enables early and reliable diagnosis and continuous monitoring of cancer. The aim is to increase diagnostic accuracy and promote personalised approaches to patient care and treatment.     

Santella (University of Bern)

The start-up company Santella specialises in the development of innovative vaccines to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The submitted project initially focuses on the development of vaccines for the poultry industry to promote animal health and minimise antibiotic treatments. To achieve this, Santella relies on modern biotechnological processes and immunotherapies that enable targeted disease prevention. In the long term, these solutions should provide a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in animal husbandry, while improving public health and animal welfare standards.  

About the Ypsomed Innovation Award

The Ypsomed Innovation Award was established in 2007. From next year it will be awarded annually. The prize money of CHF 50,000 for the winner and CHF 25,000 each for the runners-up is donated by the Ypsomed Innovation Fund. The aim of the foundation is to motivate innovative and entrepreneurial teams or individuals at universities in the region to include market needs in their scientific work and to implement their developments in products or services on the market. The work presented must therefore involve innovative and economically viable processes, methods, products or services. The next Ypsomed Innovation Award will be announced in the summer of 2025, and the award ceremony will take place on 22 January 2026.

More information about the Ypsomed Innovation Award can be found on the Ypsomed Innovation Fund website.