This year’s participants represent diverse fields spanning medtech, digital health, sustainable energy and advanced photonics, united by one ambition: redefining how technology enhances daily lives.

ACCELERATE: turning innovation into impact

This year’s ACCELERATE cohort includes two CSEM internal participants and three external members, highlighting the programme’s role as a bridge between internal technology research and Switzerland’s startup ecosystem.

A recent success story, CCRAFT, spun out in April 2025, as a new foundry manufacturing photonic integrated circuits – a key technology enabling faster, more efficient data communication. Its launch underscores how ACCELERATE turns deep-tech ideas into tangible industrial impact.

Meet the 2025 cohort

The four deeptech projects embarking on their journey with ACCELERATE are:

SmartHear

Neuro-adaptive hearing technology that keeps the mind listening. The future of hearing lies in the brain

SmartHear is a next-generation neurotechnology platform bridging hearing science and cognitive health. Using AI and in-ear precision sensing, it transforms auditory assessment and training into a personalised, adaptive experience that reflects each user’s unique brain activity. Untreated hearing impairment is now recognised as the leading modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia – making early intervention a critical path to preserving brain health. By decoding the brain’s auditory responses, SmartHear trains the neural pathways that support listening, focus, and lifelong cognitive health.

"SmartHear will make training your hearing as natural as training your body,” says Zahra Khaliliardali, Founder of SmartHear. “We’re turning prevention into a daily habit and bringing neurotechnology into everyday life – accessible, personalised, and profoundly human."

Needless

Better health shouldn't come with a sharp reminder

For decades, blood and needles have been the default for checking our health – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Needless develops a simple, wearable patch that measures key health signals through the skin, no blood required. Its platform opens the door to effortless, painless health monitoring that can be done anywhere – helping shift diagnostics from invasive to invisible.

“We’ve accepted needles and blood draws as a necessary part of healthcare for too long. At Needless, we’re driven by the belief that we can do better – by bringing comfort, simplicity, and innovation together in one small patch,” shares Brad Petkus, Co-Founder with Gabriel Christmann of Needless.

HelioW

Empowering new space: making energy in space lighter, cheaper, and more efficient

HelioW develops ultra-light, high-efficiency solar cells and modules to power the next generation of satellites. Built on breakthrough materials, these flexible modules cut weight and costs while enabling entirely new satellite designs. With tens of thousands of satellites expected to operate in orbit, and Europe seeking greater autonomy in space technologies, HelioW offers a timely solution to a rapidly growing market.

“With the ACCELERATE programme, HelioW benefits from deep solar materials expertise, hands-on technical support, and early access to funding and partners,” says Simon Russeil, Founder of HelioW. “This collaboration allows HelioW to move from concept to a space market-ready product extremely fast.”

SecondWave

Substance analysis as simple as taking a picture

SecondWave is redefining material detection with a miniaturised spectroscopy sensor that instantly identifies any substance with lab-grade precision. Compact enough to fit inside a smartphone, it transforms everyday devices into powerful chemical analysers for healthcare, the food industry, and security. No bulky equipment. No delays. Just shine a light and know. SecondWave is setting a new standard for portable material analysis, making advanced detection accessible anywhere, anytime.

"We’re turning every phone into a lab, redefining how the world detects and analyses substances," says Andrea Morandi, Founder of SecondWave.

“The ACCELERATE Programme is much more than a support mechanism; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of Swiss deep-tech innovators. We are proud to welcome these entrepreneurs whose technologies could soon transform industries and deliver tangible benefits to society,” says Bahaa Roustom, VP Marketing & Business Development, CSEM.

Looking ahead

What makes this year’s selection stand out is its diversity and boldness, tackling challenges in sustainable energy, digital health, medtech, and advanced photonics with disruptive technologies that can scale globally.

With the new cohort now on board, CSEM is set to write the next chapter in Switzerland’s innovation journey – one filled with breakthroughs, partnerships, and exciting opportunities.

Applications for the next ACCELERATE cohort are open until the end of January 2026. Ambitious entrepreneurs are invited to apply online for a chance to join Switzerland’s next wave of deeptech innovators.

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