POSICS, Geneva Connection Technologies and Vectopia awarded FIF Grant
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Two projects from the University of Geneva projects and one project from CERN have each been awarded CHF 50,000 in funding from the Fonds pour l’Innovation et le Futur de Genève (FIF). The recipients include a spin-off from the Faculty of Science, POSICS; a spin-off from the Faculty of Medicine, Vectopia; and a spin-off from CERN, Geneva Connection Technologies.
CHF 50,000 FIF Grant Awarded to POSICS: Revolutionizing radio-guided cancer surgery with AR-Enhanced Camera
POSICS, a project led by Prof. Domenico della Volpe at the University of Geneva’s Faculty of Science, is a compact wireless device for radio-guided cancer surgery that combines multi-angle gamma detection with advanced 3D imaging and augmented-reality visualization. The system provides surgeons with real-time 3D tumor localization, enhancing precision during complex procedures.
The project builds on strong institutional partnerships, including clinical pilots and workflow co-development with the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), as well as collaboration with the Fondation Campus Biotech Geneva (FCBG) on AR software development.
The FIF Grant will accelerate regulatory pathway initiation and the development of a realistic AR demonstrator in collaboration with Campus Biotech, while enabling POSICS to build a strong network of leading medical professionals and clinical partners to drive real-world validation and adoption of the technology.
CHF 50,000 FIF Grant awarded to Geneva Connection Technologies: Accelerating Discoveries with Interconnection Technologies for Advanced Detectors
Geneva Connection Technologies (GCT), led by CERN researcher Dr. Mateus Vicente Barreto Pinto, is advancing an innovative and cost-efficient method for connecting high-end radiation sensors to silicon readout chips. Modern radiation cameras used in hospitals and physics experiments rely on silicon pixel detectors that require extremely precise, pixel-level micro-bonding. Today, this process is available from only a handful of specialized industrial suppliers, making it costly for small production runs and subject to long lead times.
In collaboration with CERN and industry partners, GCT aims to establish this high-precision bonding capability in Geneva, strengthening reliability and performance for next-generation measurement systems in scientific research and advanced instrumentation.
The FIF Grant will fund the acquisition of key quality-control equipment and the setup of dedicated laboratory infrastructure, accelerating the project’s development and validation.
CHF 50,000 FIF Grant awarded to Vectopia: Pioneering the Next Generation of Gene Therapy Vector Manufacturing
Vectopia, a spin-off from the University of Geneva, currently hosted within the Fondation pour Recherches Médicales, targets the challenge that life-saving gene therapies remain inaccessible to most patients. Led by Dr. Maude Rolland, the project develops a new approach to lentivector manufacturing, enabling the efficient delivery of therapeutic genes into patient cells. By simplifying and scaling vector production, it aims to reduce costs and expand patient access to gene therapies.
The FIF Grant will enable completion of a GMP gap analysis and the definition of a transition plan for the minimum viable product, laying the groundwork for clinical translation and broad patient access.
About the FIF
The FIF aims to accelerate innovation within the local economy by supporting initiatives not only from the University of Geneva, the Universities of Applied Sciences (HES), and Geneva-based research institutions, including CERN, but also from startups, scale-ups, and rapidly growing technology SMEs registered in the Canton of Geneva. Entrepreneurs can apply for three types of financing: FIF Grant (up to CHF 50,000), FIF Seed (up to CHF 100,000), and FIF Growth (up to CHF 400,000), across three key areas: Tech, Digital, and Impact.
The FIF contributes to sustainable economic, social, and environmental development by promoting innovations grounded in science and technology.
The FIF is supported by the State of Geneva, the Fondation Genevoise pour l’Innovation Technologique (FONGIT), the Fondation Modus, the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Environment Programme.
➡️ The next FIF application deadline is 7 January. Apply here.
📸 © Fongit. Prof. Domenico Della Volpe with the new POSICS camera design, alongside PhD researcher Aramis Raiola showing the AR glasses.