New technologies and innovations often need a lot of research before they come to the market. This is why many startup ideas evolve from a scientific background. But how do you build a startup out of your research? In our next Startup Stories edition, we are focusing on exactly this topic.

We will hear from two successful founders and former researchers how they founded their startups and brought their research to the market. This event is co-organized with ETH Zürich.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Anna Beltzung, CTO & Co-Founder of dimpora AG

Dimpora is a chemical company which develops sustainable and non-harmful membranes, mostly aimed at the production of outdoor gear. Mario and Anna, the co-founders of dimpora, met during their Bachelor studies in chemical engineering at ETH Zurich. They became friends in the last year, when they ended up in the same lab group. This friendship lasted during their Master studies and following PhDs. At the end of Anna’s PhD, Mario asked her to join him in the dimpora adventure, knowing that they work well as a team and share the same Swiss values.

Gianluca Ambrosetti, CEO & Co-Founder of Synhelion SA

Synhelion wants to turn CO2 into fuel and move the world towards net zero. They are a global pioneer in the field of sustainable solar fuels. The company evolved from ETH Zurich in 2016. Gianluca, the CEO and co-founder, obtained his PhD in Physics/Nanotechnology from EPFL Lausanne. He held various positions in the concentrated solar power and photovoltaics industry – among them he was Head of Research at Airlight Energy and Managing Director of Dsolar. His achievements include several patents and scientific publications, and he is the recipient of the EPFL Prix Prof. René Wasserman 2011. He co-founded Synhelion in 2016 and now holds the position of CEO.