Sponsors

Founded in 1875 by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in the Swiss village of Le Brassus, Audemars Piguet is the oldest Manufacture of Haute Horlogerie never to have left the hands of the founding families. Today, its range encompasses complex mechanical watches, Haute Joaillerie creations as well as a line of jewellery. At each stage in its history, the Manufacture has daringly adopted avant-garde techniques in order to place them in the service of traditional craftsmanship. This approach has earned it an unparalleled number of world firsts in the field of Haute Horlogerie.

Endeavour Vision is a premier European venture capital firm investing in high potential companies in the information technology and life sciences sectors. Since 1989, the principals have made over 63 investments in 12 different countries. The goal of Endeavour Vision is to contribute to the success of companies who demonstrate great potential by teaming up with entrepreneurs and sharing skills, expertise and network To better support Entrepreneurs, the firm has developed two institutions: the European Tech Tour Association, a non-profit foundation generating networking opportunities for Entrepreneurs with VCs, Corporations and other Entrepreneurs, and the CEO-Circle, a group of world-class entrepreneurial CEOs who are committed in helping with the development of portfolio companies.

Some investments made by the principals include Sandisk, Dolphin Interconnect, SCM Microsystems, Virata, Altitun, Cirpack, Media Lario, Tagsys RFID and Sequans, (Information Technology); and Actelion, Axovan, Endoart and Novimmune (Life Sciences).

Weber Shandwick is a Communications Partner of the European Tech Tour, supporting both the European level organization and the various country tours.  Weber Shandwick, a unit of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), is one of the world's leading public relations agencies, with offices in major media, business and government capitals around the world. Weber Shandwick is a leader in marketing public relations, public affairs and corporate communications counseling, and also provides services in advocacy advertising, market research and visual communications.

The Company Edmond de Rothschild is an independent bank with a human dimension, renowned for the quality of its private wealth management. To maintain its propensity for excellence, our company has chosen to specialise in asset management and corporate advisory services.

Swiss Medtech is an organisation consisting of several public and private institutions, specialists in healthcare, industry and research, and regulatory bodies and aims to improve access to products and services in this sector and consolidating the network.

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Founded in 1949, Medtronic has grown to become the world's largest independent medical technology company. At the core of all we do is our Mission: to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life. It provides a clear path for all employees as we work together to take Medtronic to the next level.

NeoMed Management is an international investment firm, exclusively focussing on the healthcare and life science industry. Founded in 1996, NeoMed has established four funds, with total committed capital exceeding $200 million.

NeoMed invests in young companies with outstanding growth prospects. Portfolio companies typically develop innovative products addressing inadequately served medical needs in the following industry sectors: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology drugs, diagnostics, medical devices and instruments.

NeoMed has a multi-stage investment approach and invests at all stages of development from start-up to later stage growth financings. Since inception, NeoMed has backed more than 30 companies in the USA and Europe, including Scandinavia, Switzerland, Germany and the UK.

From offices in Norway, Switzerland and the US East Coast, NeoMed’s investment team offers a broad network and experience in supporting the growth of its portfolio companies.

The mission of the Department for Economic Affairs of the State of Vaud is to put in place the framework conditions required to promote economic growth. Its objectives are designed to highlight the know-how of companies and to make the canton an attractive and competitive environment.

The vitality of economy in the Canton of Vaud is particularly remarkable in state-of-the-art industries with high added value such as life sciences, information technology, micro- and nanotechnology, environmental and agri-food technologies. Strong political support and many concrete state support and incentives serve to reinforce growth in these sectors.

Earlybird Venture Capital, established in 1997, ranks amongst Europe´s most successful venture capital firms. Earlybird seeks to invest in European technology enabled high growth companies which are driven by outstanding management teams backed by international syndications to broaden the access to customer and capital markets. Earlybird invests primarily in early stage technology companies which have their origins in Europe with the current investment focus on software, semiconductor, communication, cleantech, medtech and biotech platform technologies.

The Earlybird team creates value by understanding their target investment sectors well and working closely with each management team. Earlybird strongly supports the development of each company by professionalizing and shaping management teams, providing strategic and product advice, creating international investor syndicates, effecting corporate introductions and being closely involved in achieving appropriate exits. Six of Earlybird’s high-tech investee companies have floated on various European stock exchanges over the last two years: Interhyp, Tipp24 and Wilex (all Prime Standard, Frankfurt), Esmertec (Swiss Exchange, Zurich), Entelos (London Stock Exchange) and NoemaLife (Borsa Italiana, Milan). Interhyp returned more than 50x the original Earlybird investment. In addition, Earlybird supported element 5 in its acquisition by Digital River, Identify in its acquisition by BMC Software and Alantos in its sale to Amgen for $300m.

Highland Capital Partners, a global venture capital firm with offices in Geneva, Boston, Silicon Valley and Shanghai, was founded with the mission of helping great people build great companies. Highland emphasizes a team oriented approach in providing the right mix of strategic guidance, hands-on leadership and deep industry domain expertise in helping entrepreneurs and their teams to become market-leading organizations. Since its inception in 1988, the firm has taken a sector-focused approach to investing in exceptional communications, consumer, digital media, healthcare and information technology companies. With more than $3 billion of committed capital, Highland has invested in and worked to create such European and Internet companies as Ask Jeeves, Avid Technology, Be Free, CheckFree, Innovative Silicon, Glasses Direct, Lycos, MapQuest, Metacafe, picoChip, Photobox, Quigo and VistaPrint.

Johnson & Johnson has been a part of people's lives for more than 120 years and a valuable part of their investments for more than 60 years. Founded in 1886, we listed our shares on the New York Stock Exchange for public investors in 1944.During our history, we have built the most comprehensive base of health care businesses in the world, generating more than 70 percent of our revenues from No. 1 or No. 2 global leadership positions in our respective markets. Our consistent performance has enabled us to deliver an exceptional track record of growth that few, if any, companies can claim: 75 consecutive years of sales increases; 24 consecutive years of adjusted earnings increases; and 46 consecutive years of dividend increases. Over the last 10 years, Johnson & Johnson stock generated a 9.1 percent total return for investors compared to a 5.9 percent total return for the S&P 500. Our consumer products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics play a role in helping millions of people be well and stay well every day. We remain committed to improving the health and well-being of people everywhere, profitably growing our businesses, and enhancing the value we can bring to our shareholders.

MedTech Development, a subsidiary of Tronics Microsystems SA, is exclusively engaged in the design and development of advanced medical device systems. With over 200 device projects including active implantable systems, MedTech Development takes products from concept to market release and develops next generation product platforms. Our experience incorporates applications in multiple therapeutic and diagnostic fields along with integrating MEMS micro sensors into intelligent device system designs. An international company with locations in Crolles France, Sunnyvale California and Minneapolis Minnesota, MedTech Development provides technical expertise that meets the demands of both European and American markets.

The Lake Geneva Region in Switzerland is a major European center for medical technology and biotechnology, offering a unique growth environment for companies involved in these two fields. The BioAlps region offers exceptional competencies in the domains of molecular and genetic biology, bioinformatics, proteomics and genomics, oncology, neurosciences, as well as in pharmaceuticals, instrumentation, diagnostic and medical devices.

According to a survey from the Science Magazine, the BioAlps region is the third European centre of biotech and medtech research per capita just after Cambridge and Oxford.

EPFL is one of the two Ecoles Polytechniques fédérales in Switzerland. Like its sister institution, ETHZ, it has three missions: education, research and technology transfer at the highest international level. Associated with several specialised research institutes, the two EPFs form the EPF domain, which is directly dependent on the Federal Department of Home Affairs.

EPFL, in its idyllic location on the shores of Lake Geneva, brings together a campus of more than 10,000 people. By its novel structure, the school stimulates collaboration between students, professors, researchers and entrepreneurs. These daily interactions give rise to new and groundbreaking work in science, technology and architecture.

Logitech designs, manufactures and markets personal peripherals that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world. The company's products combine essential core technologies, continuing innovation, award-winning industrial design and excellent price performance.

The SWX Swiss Exchange is a central link in the value chain of the Swiss financial marketplace. It organizes, operates and regulates key aspects of Switzerland's capital market. The SWX is one of the world's most technologically advanced securities exchanges. Though firmly rooted in Switzerland's strong financial centre, the SWX resolutely pursues a strategy focused on internationality. In transnational collaboration, the SWX works with select partners to provide top-rate securities exchange services. A significant factor in this regard is its broad range of products, but perhaps even more so its integrated, fully electronic trading, clearing and settlement system. With a single click of the mouse, securities orders are executed, cleared, settled and confirmed.

Our Mission is to provide a window into emerging technology and business opportunities and help establish strategic partnerships with innovative startups. We are seeking emerging companies with exceptionally sound management, that have a technology, product or service with significant, sustainable growth potential, a competitive business strategy, and that are a good strategic fit with Sony. We foster a rapid identification and decision-making process that includes interaction with Business Groups across Sony including Sony Electronics, Sony Pictures, Sony BMG, Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Corporation in Tokyo.

Going Public Media AG was founded in 1998 and is one of the leading Magazines in Germany for Venture Capital with 70-80 publications per year.

OneMedPlace is a communications platform for healthcare and life sciences companies to connect with investors, strategic partners and customers.

The Chilli is a unique media platform for high-tech entrepreneurs, investors and advisors. The Chilli is an established global brand in the technology entrepreneurial food chain in Europe, US and now expanding out in Asia. Our information and in-depth analysis are available through regular newsletter updates, online products and live at seminars, conferences and events.

Red Herring is a media company whose mission is to cover innovation, technology, financing and entrepreneurial activity. Its staff of award-winning journalists tell readers what's first, what matters and most importantly, why.