The competition, an initiative by EIT Health, part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, aims to accelerate the growth of European health start-ups by providing them with access to experts and investors. Now in its ninth year, Catapult has already supported more than 300 start-ups, with a community of more than 550 investors and 3,500 healthcare professionals backing the programme.
Cellectric Biosciences impressed the jury with its groundbreaking technology that uses electric fields to automate cell handling in laboratories – eliminating the need for chemicals and significantly increasing precision. The innovation promises to transform workflows in life sciences research and diagnostics.
The Austrian start-up first secured its place in the European finals by winning the regional selection in Vienna last autumn, hosted by EIT Health Austria at the AustrianStartups Stammtisch and organised as part of the FFG-funded HealthGateway.Austria project.
“It has been an amazing experience to share this journey with 29 brilliant health innovators from across Europe”, said Klemens Wassermann, PhD, Co-Founder of Cellectric Biosciences. “Winning this European competition is a huge motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in biotech.”
„Cellectric Biosciences exemplifies the kind of deep-tech innovation that Europe needs”, says Ing. Melanie Hartl, MA, Entrepreneurship Lead at EIT Health Austria. “Their story also shows how effective the Austrian support landscape is in the life sciences sector. I am glad that we have been able to extend their success at European level.”
The other top prize went to Custom Surgical, a German start-up that won the HealthTech category. Both winners receive cash prizes and access to a suite of in-kind services from leading industry partners.
Catapult launched by EIT Health and run by Cap Digital, Medical Valley and BioRN, has a proven track record of bringing fresh perspectives to the European health sector. Throughout the programme, start-ups receive intensive training as they build their credibility and visibility through pan-European exposure.
Contact:
EIT Health Austria
Dipl. Ing. Peter Ulrich-Koziel
Telefon: +43 670 6590671
E-Mail: peter.ulrich-koziel(at)eithealth.eu