Participated · Seed · Nov 2022

constellr operates a space-based platform that captures high-resolution thermal infrared data, adding a behavioural insight layer to traditional radar and optical imaging for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). The company’s technology enables earlier detection and independent verification of activity in contested or deceptive environments, exemplified by recent monitoring of maritime movements near Russia’s Rybachiy nuclear submarine base. As the only proven operational provider of such data in the European Union, constellr supplies defence and security forces with the ability to uncover hidden operations, track non-cooperative assets and anticipate deployments. Funding is being directed toward expanding its satellite constellation to provide broader global coverage and to build next-generation platforms capable of sub-5-metre resolution. The firm also aims to ensure secure, sovereign control over intelligence for European and allied customers, elevating its system to full defence-grade performance. Including the latest raise, constellr has secured a total of €75 million in funding to date.

Participated · Seed · Oct 2021

Testmate Health is a Lausanne, Switzerland-based company developing over-the-counter (OTC) at-home self-tests for sexually transmitted infections. It is led by CEO Siew-Veena Sahi and was founded in 2021. The company’s first product is a urine-based self-test for chlamydia and gonorrhea that delivers lab-quality results in less than 30 minutes. Testmate positions the device for use anywhere at any time and emphasizes diagnostic accuracy. The startup raised $6M in Seed funding to support development of the OTC STI self-test. Its team comprises experts in sexual health and diagnostics. Testmate Health is developing a rapid urine self-test that delivers at-home results in minutes for the four common sexually transmitted diseases and digitally connects users to healthcare professionals for consultation and prescription if needed. The company is finalizing its prototype, plans small-batch in-house manufacturing, and will enter pre-clinical studies at the Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève. Testmate recently closed a seed round (amount undisclosed) and received additional support from the Biopôle Start-up Fund. It will use the 90k Biopôle funds toward lab and office infrastructure, hiring commercial and regulatory consultants, and equipment to begin small-batch production of test kits. The team is simultaneously developing a go-to-market strategy in light of COVID-driven changes to the self-test landscape and aims to open a Series A at the beginning of 2023. Testmate Health is an award‑winning spin‑off of the University of Geneva building a rapid digital at‑home urine test for common STDs. The device is designed to detect chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and Mycoplasma genitalium and to upload scanned results to a paired app to guide appropriate follow‑up. Its product aims to let customers skip clinic visits and avoid multi‑day waits by offering a simple, immediate self‑test. The start‑up closed an oversubscribed seed financing round totaling CHF1.6 million, with a first closing earlier in the spring and an extension to bring in additional investors. Proceeds will be used to accelerate product development and complete pre‑clinical studies of the device ahead of commercialisation. The financing also brings experienced advisers onto the governance team to support the next stages of development.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2021

Skyqraft's end-to-end cloud AI platform ingests sensor data—images, 3D point clouds, and thermal imaging—to detect up to 10x more grid defects than traditional methods. The platform sits between data collectors, operations, and field teams to help grid owners proactively manage risk, optimise uptime, and reduce maintenance budgets. Skyqraft says it has secured 15% of its home market and holds multi-year contracts with utilities, including E.ON, while running proofs of concept with major power grid owners. The company recently opened an office in San Francisco and is establishing a dedicated US team to support expansion across Europe and North America. An oversubscribed $3.8M financing will be used to advance its AI product, improve speed and quality, and accommodate larger clients. Skyqraft combines drones and machine learning to perform automated, high-volume inspections of electricity powerlines by gathering images and 360° video and detecting risks automatically. The system is designed to be safer, more cost-efficient and more environmentally sustainable than traditional helicopter- and crew-based inspections. Skyqraft says it can reduce a 25 km powerline inspection from two days to three minutes. Its customers include the three largest utility companies in Sweden, which jointly represent 85% of the Swedish market, and the company is negotiating larger-scale pilots in the U.S. with Iberdrola. Skyqraft will use the new capital to further develop its technology and expand operations across Europe and into the U.S. The company was founded in March 2019 and launched in September 2019. Skyqraft provides “smart” infrastructure inspections for power-lines by combining unmanned airplanes with AI to gather images and detect risk automatically. Founded in March 2019 and launched in September 2019, the company uses a uniform aircraft camera setup to streamline data acquisition and emphasizes data handling as a core advantage for its machine learning. Skyqraft says it has a contract with one customer that stopped using helicopters for yearly inspections and is running pilots with Eon, two Swedish municipalities and New York Gas and Electric. The company positions its service as safer, more efficient and more sustainable than traditional helicopter- and person-based inspections. Competitors are mainly quadcopter drone operators or ML-only firms; Skyqraft differentiates by flying its own aircraft and controlling the end-to-end data pipeline. It will use new funding to build further machine learning software, expand its map user interface, grow drone operation teams, and test new apparatus.