BIONOMOUS closes a USD 2.7 million Series A
Share this article
The Swiss-based startup builds devices to automate processes in Life Science research and prepares a product rollout and expansion.
The round was led by Nivalis Group, a Swiss Holding based in Villaz-St-Pierre, with participation from Cybernetix Ventures, a leading robotics-focused US venture capital firm based in the Boston, and Capital Risque Fribourg, an early-stage investment company based in Fribourg. Fady Saad, Cybernetix Ventures Founder and Managing Partner, will join Bionomous board of directors.
Experts in mechatronics, microfluidics and artificial intelligence, Bionomous recently launched its first commercial product, the EggSorter, a device that automatically screens, sorts and dispenses small biological entities like the eggs of zebrafish, xenopus oocytes and embryos, and plant seeds. Over the past year, the Bionomous team concentrated its efforts on optimizing the EggSorter based on the feedback they received from early adopters.
The new device obtained CE certification in December 2022 and is now ready to be deployed on the market. The start of the commercialization phase coincides with the closing of Series A funding that will allow Bionomous to scale production and start deploying its product globally. Currently, the company already counts customers in Europe, USA and China.
Frank Bonnet, Bionomous CEO & co-founder explains: “I am particularly proud of our team to have reached several milestones on time, which has been the key factor in convincing our current and new investors to finance the next phase of our venture. We are also very grateful to our customers who trusted us by adopting our products in their early phase”.
Nivalis Group President, Christophe Fragnière about this new investment : “We are delighted that Bionomous has successfully completed the first stage of industrialization. This important step and the dedication of the highly qualified Bionomous team has given us the confidence to strengthen our financial commitment. This recognition was also a positive sign to attract new investors.”
For Cybernetix Ventures, the reasons to invest are clear. “We have known Frank and the Bionomous team for some time and we have been impressed with their innovative product, solid traction in Europe and the US and their ability to quickly learn and scale. We are excited to be part of their journey” said Fady Saad, Cybernetix Ventures Managing Partner.
About Bionomous
Bionomous is a Swiss startup born at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne). It was founded in November 2019 with the aim of building devices to automate the visual inspection, sorting and dispensing of small biological entities. The company has developed the ‘EggSorter’ which is designed to handle zebrafish eggs and similar entities, and which is now already being commercialized in Europe, US and China.
About Nivalis Group
Nivalis Group is a Swiss Holding that supports and invests in startups that specialize in automation, robotics, additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence. Nivalis Group advocates innovation and uses smart money investments to help these high-tech startups develop unique products and technologies. Focusing on Seed and Series A equity investments, the group supports startups with a technology park and a team of professional experts in business development, finance, human resources, IT, marketing and communications.
About Cybernetix Ventures
Cybernetix Ventures is a venture capital firm leading the way for investment into early-stage robotics, automation, and AI startups. Headquartered in Boston, the world’s epicenter for robotics innovation, Cybernetix connects its portfolio to the national and global robotics ecosystems, bringing unparalleled expertise to companies poised to make major impacts in sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics/warehousing, architecture, engineering and construction and healthcare/medical devices. For more information, please visit www.cybernetix.vc.
About Capital Risque Fribourg
Capital Risque Fribourg SA is an « innovation capital » fund financed by the Canton of Fribourg, Banque Cantonale de Fribourg, Groupe E, and the Pension Fund of the Canton of Fribourg. Capital Risque Fribourg invests in innovative companies that create jobs in the canton of Fribourg and develop products or services with high growth potential.
Source: Press Release