The canton of Vaud is one of the main centers for research and innovation in Switzerland, with the largest academic and technology campus in the country and several research centers as well as internationally known industries, particularly in life sciences, micro-nanotechnologies, ICTs and cleantech. The Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation (SPEI) is the official public organization that supports companies located within the canton of Vaud, especially those involved in sectors of advanced technology and industry. Indeed, SPEI advises entrepreneurs and puts them in contact with organizations that are appropriate to their specific needs. SPEI can also provide direct financial support.

Innovaud is the entry door to innovation in the Canton of Vaud. It offers free of charge support to startups, scale-ups and SMEs focusing on technology-based innovations. Support includes financing, access to innovation parks, coaching, promotion and networking. Innovaud helps innovative companies in Life Science, Information and Communication Technology, Precision Industry and Cleantech. Innovaud is an initiative of the State of Vaud. It is carried by the Department of Economy, Innovation and Sport (DEIS) as well as the Department of Education, Youth and Culture (DFJC). In 2016, Innovaud created the Scale Up Vaud program and label, which aims to encourage and reinforce innovative companies in phase of high growth that are based in the Canton of Vaud. Today, 25 companies are part of the Scale Up Vaud program. Altogether, these companies generated 2360 jobs worldwide, out of which 1400 are based in Switzerland. www.innovaud.ch / www.scale-up-vaud.ch

Bayer G4A, the Digital Health team at Bayer, is on a mission to empower people to manage their health and wellness in the digital era. G4A Startup Programs engage with the global external startup ecosystems, building a bridge between innovators and Bayer stakeholders. The team currently runs an early stage Accelerator program and a commercially focused, challenge-based Dealmaker program, in Berlin, as well as a self-care program in the US (Generator). In addition, G4A has franchises across the globe with STEM4Health meetups in over 33 countries (and counting) and variations of the core Accelerator program in different countries.

Boston Scientific Europe is the European branch of Boston Scientific Corporation, with offices in 19 countries and a market presence in 52 countries. We transform lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 30 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. Our products and technologies are used to diagnose or treat a wide range of medical conditions, including heart, digestive, pulmonary, vascular, urological, women's health, and chronic pain conditions. We demonstrate continued commitment to meaningful clinical science by conducting carefully designed clinical studies and by sponsoring studies that seek tailored therapy options to optimize patient outcomes.

Bryan, Garnier & Co is a European, full service growth-focused independent investment banking partnership founded in 1996. The firm provides equity research, sales and trading, private and public capital raising as well as M&A services to growth companies and their investors. It focuses on key growth sectors of the economy including Technology, Media & Telecoms, Healthcare, Smart Industries & Energy, Consumer, Brands & Retail and Business Services. Bryan, Garnier & Co is a fully registered broker dealer authorised and regulated by the FCA in Europe and the FINRA in the U.S. Bryan, Garnier & Co is headquartered in London, with additional offices in Paris, Munich and New York. The firm is a member of the London Stock Exchange and Euronext.

Euronext is the leading pan-European exchange (and 6th largest globally) with 1’300 listed issuers worth close to €3.9 trillion in market capitalization as of end June 2018, an unmatched blue chip franchise consisting of 24 issuers in the Morningstar® Eurozone 50 Index™ benchmark and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Its total product offering includes Equities, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. Euronext operates the regulated markets, Euronext Growth and Euronext Access, which facilitates SMEs’ and Tech companies’ access to capital markets. There are 950+ listed SMEs on Euronext markets, of which 348 can be considered as listed Tech companies operating in TMT, Cleantech and Life Sciences. Overall over 5’400 institutional investors provide a deep investor pool; 1000+ institutional investors specialize on SMEs and the tech segment, coming from 40 countries.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/.

Medtronic is the world’s largest medical technology company, offering an unprecedented breadth and depth of innovative therapies to fulfill our Mission of alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life. Last year, more than 9 million people benefited from our medical therapies, which treat cardiac and vascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.