HMCARE is a Swiss startup spun out of École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne developing the HelloMask, a transparent and relatively eco-friendly surgical mask. The HelloMask is made from biomass-derived transparent fibers placed about 100 nanometers apart, triple-layered into a flexible, breathable sheet that is nearly transparent (described as lightly frosted glass). The material was developed in collaboration with Swiss materials center Empa and is engineered to permit air while blocking viruses and bacteria. The team says the material can be produced in bulk and formed into mask shapes like normal cloth, but manufacturing must be scaled up. R&D to date was funded by nonprofit donations and grants; the company has raised external capital to commercialize the product. HMCARE plans to target the medical community first, with public availability possible and a potential launch as early as the start of 2021.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Jun 2020