From Lab to Start-up: How Fribourg Neuroscience Became Bewe

Frédérik will tell us how his research group became bewe, a startup that received 2.5 mi CHF in funding. In Switzerland, 12% of academic patents are transferred to startups or spin-offs, ranking 3rd in Europe, behind France and the UK, and ahead of much larger economies like Germany and Italy. With a strong ecosystem to support entrepreneurs and technology transfer, Switzerland has a perfect score when it comes to the conversion of academic research into commercially viable equity: in the first half of 2025, Swiss startups generated CHF 1.47 billion in venture capital, a 36% increase compared to 2024. In our talk with Frédérik, he will tell us how his research group from the Laboratory of Neurorehabilitation Sciences at the University of Fribourg translated their complex findings into BeWe, an app that uses gamification to help people develop healthier habits. Together, we will discover how the behavioral research became an app, what the main obstacles and challenges were along the way, and how the path wasn’t linear. Whether you are considering the practical applications of your research, want to know more about the supporting ecosystem, or are just curious about Bewe, join us for a free lunch at the SEED: Lab on the 11th of November.