In 2025, ETH Zurich achieved a record of 46 new companies created, marking an active year for its entrepreneurial ecosystem. The institution introduced a clear distinction: 24 are Spin-offs, directly based on university research results, and 22 are Start-ups, often founded by students who apply acquired knowledge without relying on specific R&D projects. To support this second group, the UPortunity accelerator has been launched.
Kalligo Medical and the Development of an Adaptable Prosthetic Socket ⚙️
A representative case is Kalligo Medical AG, a start-up emerging from the UPortunity accelerator. The company develops a prosthetic socket for amputees that automatically adapts to changes in the stump's volume. This technical solution seeks to address a common problem: discomfort and skin injuries caused by traditional static sockets, improving the user's quality of life through dynamic adjustment.
Investors Chasing Ideas (and ETH Coffees) ☕
The appetite for these initiatives is notable. Investments raised by companies linked to ETH Ventures grew by 27%, totaling 540 million Swiss francs. It seems that investors have decided that the campus is a good place to hunt projects. You just have to follow the trail of cold pizzas and empty coffee cups in the labs at 3 a.m. to find the next big idea. An ecosystem where even a break for an espresso seems to generate a business plan.