Vaud’s Innovation Powerhouse: Raphaël Conz on How Switzerland’s Health Valley Is Shaping the Future of Global HealthTech

As the 16th edition of Tech Tour Growth Health brought Europe’s top HealthTech investors and entrepreneurs to Lausanne this July, all eyes turned to one of the continent’s most dynamic innovation hubs: the Canton of Vaud. With its world-class academic institutions, dense concentration of medtech and digital health startups, and a uniquely collaborative ecosystem, Vaud has firmly established itself as the beating heart of Europe’s “Health Valley.”

In this exclusive interview, we speak with Raphaël Conz, Managing Director – Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation (SPEI) at the Canton of Vaud, to understand what makes this region a magnet for founders, scale-ups, and global investors in HealthTech — and why Lausanne was once again the natural host for Europe’s leading digital health forum.

TT: The Canton of Vaud has long been recognized as a powerhouse of innovation in Europe. What makes it such fertile ground for startups and scale-ups, particularly in the HealthTech and Digital Health sectors?

RC: The foundations of our innovation ecosystem are very strong. The Canton of Vaud benefits from a resilient and diversified entrepreneurial fabric, boosted by world-class academic institutions such as EPFL, IMD, the University of Lausanne, or the CHUV university hospital, all supported by proactive public innovation policies. This unique combination of talent, know-how, and cutting-edge infrastructure creates a fertile breeding ground for young companies. In fact, the region is often referred to as the “Health Valley” due to its exceptional concentration of life sciences and health-related actors. This ecosystem is further strengthened by BioAlps, the life sciences cluster of Western Switzerland, which connects over 1,000 companies, 60 research institutions, and numerous public entities, fostering collaboration across biotech, medtech, pharma, and digital health sectors.

A major asset is the collaborative spirit embedded in our ecosystem. Our HealthTech and Digital Health startups can rapidly test and develop their solutions thanks to proximity with top-tier research laboratories and a high-level clinical environment. For instance, CHUV, ranked among the world’s best hospitals, together with EPFL and UNIL engineers and researchers to design tomorrow’s healthcare solutions. This tight integration of science and industry, combined with a dense pool of competencies within a small geographical area, gives Vaud-based startups a significant competitive edge. The results speak for themselves: investment and exit numbers show that our region is fertile ground for both entrepreneurs and investors.

TT: Tech Tour Growth Health 2025 returned to Lausanne this July. Why is the Canton of Vaud the ideal host location for a forum that brings together Europe’s most promising HealthTech entrepreneurs and leading investors?

RC: We were thrilled to host Tech Tour Growth Health once again in Lausanne, because our region truly embodies European excellence in HealthTech. Being the host of this forum is a natural fit for Vaud: it offers an extraordinary concentration of innovative startups in digital health and medtech, along with world-renowned research centers. Switzerland is an ideal test market, but its size means startups must eventually scale across Europe and beyond. Here, entrepreneurs and investors are immersed in a thriving ecosystem—ideally positioned to connect with European partners and grow internationally.

Lausanne is an “all-in-one” ecosystem: within a few kilometers, visitors can tour EPFL labs, meet CHUV clinicians, connect with startups based at Biopôle or EPFL Innovation Park, and interact with European headquarters of global medtech companies. Notably, Biopôle in Epalinges stands out as one of Europe’s largest life sciences campuses, hosting over 150 companies and 25 research groups. Its state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant community make it a cornerstone of our Health Valley. Few places offer this level of proximity among all key players. The return of Tech Tour Growth Health to Lausanne for its 16th edition also reflects the organizers’ trust in our hosting and networking capabilities. The Canton of Vaud and its partners go to great lengths to ensure participants can forge meaningful connections.

TT: With globally renowned institutions like EPFL and a rich network of R&D hubs, how does the Canton of Vaud facilitate collaboration between academia, startups, and industry in life sciences and health innovation?

RC:  Interdisciplinary collaboration is part of Vaud’s DNA. We have created an environment where boundaries between academia, clinics, and industry are highly porous. This is achieved through strategic infrastructure and programs that bring all these worlds together.

Take EPFL Innovation Park, for instance: it houses both early-stage spin-offs and R&D branches of major technology companies. This setup facilitates knowledge transfer and joint ventures. Similarly, Biopôle in Épalinges is our dedicated life sciences campus that co-locates academic institutions, biotech/medtech startups, and global pharma companies on one site with access to state-of-the-art shared infrastructure.

The Canton actively fosters these bridges. Through the SPEI and Innovaud, we connect entrepreneurs to labs and clinics for technology validation and help researchers bring their innovations to market. H4, launched at the La Source Institute, serves as a collaborative innovation hub dedicated to healthcare. It supports individuals and companies, from start-ups to SMEs, in developing innovative healthcare projects through analysis, guidance, and services. We also offer grants to co-finance R&D and market development projects and organize regular networking events, workshops, lab tours, and health hackathons, designed to spark synergies. Vaud’s open ecosystem approach has a proven track record: many innovations here are the result of joint efforts between our universities, hospitals, and businesses.

TT: Several breakout companies like Lunaphore and DEPsys have emerged from Vaud’s ecosystem. What role does the Canton play in helping startups not only launch but scale globally?

RC:  The Canton of Vaud acts as a 360-degree enabler throughout a startup’s journey. In the early stages, we offer proximity-based support including tailored guidance, orientation, and direct financial assistance. Innovaud serves as a key entry point for local and international entrepreneurs, providing access to business coaching, tech partnerships, and public grants.

Startups can apply for targeted innovation grants (covering up to CHF 250,000 over five years) for things like patent filing, prototyping, or international marketing. Lunaphore, a standout EPFL spin-off, benefited from this support in its formative years, which helped fast-track its diagnostics platform.

As companies grow, we support them through programs like Scale-Up Vaud, managed by Innovaud. This initiative connects high-potential companies to mentorship, investor matchmaking, and strategic resources. Scale-Up Vaud alumni have raised over CHF 500 million in recent years. Even after international acquisition—as in Lunaphore’s case by Bio-Techne—our support ensures continuity and local anchoring. DEPsys followed a similar trajectory.

TT: How does the Canton of Vaud actively support incoming international entrepreneurs and investors who are looking to establish a presence in the region?

RC:  Attracting international entrepreneurs and investors is a strategic focus for us. Through Innovaud and our regional partners, we operate a “one-stop shop” model. We offer personalized, free, and confidential support—covering legal and fiscal guidance, site selection, permit facilitation, and introductions to local networks. Our innovation infrastructure is also evolving to meet the needs of these newcomers. A great recent example is PULSE, a new generation building that just opened its doors near Lausanne. Designed to host startups, scale-ups, and collaborative initiatives, it strengthens our region’s capacity to welcome international entrepreneurs in an inspiring and flexible environment.

Incentives are also available for foreign firms setting up shop in Vaud, especially if they generate strategic value. Financial aid can support R&D projects, staffing, or market entry activities. In 2024 alone, 33 foreign companies chose Vaud to establish themselves, a testament to our attractiveness.

Investors also find fertile ground here. With over 600 startups and a reputation for quality deal flow, Vaud is increasingly drawing international VCs and corporates. We connect them to opportunities through events, demo days, and curated introductions. The region offers both security and openness, making it ideal for long-term investment.

TT: Looking ahead, what emerging trends in medtech and digital health is the Canton of Vaud particularly excited about — and how is the region preparing to lead in these areas?

RC:  We see several game-changing trends where Vaud is already well-positioned to lead:

AI and Precision Medicine: Companies like SOPHiA GENETICS are at the forefront of genomic analysis powered by AI. We’re supporting platforms that combine health data, AI, and personalized treatment development through digital infrastructure and policy frameworks.
Neurotechnology: Breakthroughs from EPFL and CHUV in brain-spine interfaces and neurorehabilitation, such as those by ONWARD Medical, signal a new frontier. We support these via infrastructure, clinical validation, and dedicated funding.
Surgical Robotics and Smart Devices: Distalmotion’s Dexter surgical robot is a prime example of next gen medtech born in Vaud. With our strong base in precision engineering and robotics, we continue to support such startups through grants, prototyping spaces, and clinical testing partnerships.

As these trends accelerate, we are investing in new facilities, targeted funding instruments, and international positioning to ensure that the next big breakthroughs in health innovation will emerge and scale from Vaud. A prime example is the recently inaugurated Genolier Innovation Hub, a 25,000 m² facility designed to accelerate translational research by promoting the transfer of scientific discoveries into practical and clinical applications. It offers state-of-the-art laboratories, training spaces, and an immersive 300-seat auditorium, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare innovation. Our ambition is clear: to remain one of Europe’s leading platforms for transformative health technologies.

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From precision medicine to surgical robotics, and from AI-driven diagnostics to groundbreaking neurotech, the Canton of Vaud continues to lead the charge in shaping the future of health innovation. As Tech Tour Growth Health 2025 reaffirmed, this region is more than a hub — it’s a launchpad for companies ready to make global impact.

For investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators looking to scale at the intersection of science and healthcare, Vaud offers not only the infrastructure and talent but a collaborative spirit that accelerates real-world results. Stay connected with us for more insights from the ecosystem shaping the next generation of European HealthTech.