Breaking New Ground in Sustainable Innovation
MassChallenge Switzerland Awards took center stage in Lausanne yesterday, marking a milestone in startup innovation. The leading startup accelerator handed out CHF 500,000 in equity-free prizes to groundbreaking ventures.
EcoBean emerged as the standout winner at the ceremony. They clinched both a gold prize and the prestigious Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize worth CHF 100,000. Their innovative approach turns coffee waste into valuable chemicals.
Driving Agricultural Innovation Forward
The diamond prize of CHF 150,000 went to Noovi for their game-changing pest control solution. Their non-toxic pheromones protect crops without harming farmers or the environment.
Pack2Earth and Myriad Optics shared the spotlight in the platinum category. Each startup secured CHF 80,000 for their sustainable packaging and pathogen testing innovations.
Building Tomorrow’s Solutions Today
“This year marked our most successful program yet,” said Matt Lashmar, who leads MassChallenge Switzerland. The accelerator saw 78% of startups rating it as their best experience.
Louis Dreyfus Company CEO Michael Gelchie praised the winners’ impact. “These innovations align perfectly with our commitment to responsible practices in agriculture,” he noted while presenting the awards.
Empowering the Innovation Ecosystem
The ceremony highlighted the program’s broad reach. It brought together 446 judges and 478 mentors, supporting 118 startups through their four-month journey.
Notable gold prize winners included Adastra Sustainability, Angry Camel, and ANT Machines. Each received CHF 10,000 for their contributions to sustainable technology.
Supporting Future Growth
Ian Roberts, heading MassChallenge Switzerland, emphasized the program’s impact. “We saw 755 agrifood companies competing for the Climate Resilience Prize alone,” he shared.
The accelerator’s success stems from strong corporate partnerships. Industry leaders like Bühler, Givaudan, and Nestlé continue to support these innovation efforts.
This year’s MassChallenge Switzerland Awards proved that sustainable innovation drives modern business growth. The winners show how smart ideas can solve real-world problems while building profitable ventures.
The program continues to bridge the gap between startups and industry leaders. It creates opportunities for new technologies to reach global markets and make lasting impact.
