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Congratulations to Matthias Peterhans and Professor Stefan Weber from
the Center for Computer Assisted Surgery of the University of Bern. They
have passed the first stage of the Venture Kick competition with their
start-up company CAScination, a
collaborative effort of the Institute of Surgical Technologies and
Biomechanics and the ARTORG Center. The team has been awarded a CHF 10'000
grant for the development and marketing of their business idea: a navigation
system for soft tissue surgery.
Their solution for image guided therapy, specifically designed for the
liver, was developed in close collaboration with the Department of Visceral
Surgery of the University Hospital Bern (Prof. Daniel Candinas) and the VRAI
Group at the EPF Lausanne (Dr. Charles Baur). The first prototype is
currently under clinical evaluation. This soft tissue navigation system
provides instrument guidance and enables precise and safe surgical
treatments. CAScination will introduce
a CE approved navigation platform to the clinical market at the beginning of
2010.
The Venture Kick Competition
Venture Kick started in 2007 as an initiative of private investors. A high
caliber jury of investors, entrepreneurs and technology experts evaluates
startup companies in a three-stage competition. In stage 1 the business idea is
structured, in stage 2 the business case is developed and in stage 3 the
business plan is completed. The projects which are selected by the jury receive
a grant and professional coaching to help them master the next stage. The first
financial incentive is CHF 10'000, the second is CHF 20'000 and the final is
CHF 100'000.
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