Among the winners are four Swiss Cleantech startups who have developed alternatives to petroleum, new fuel cells, better building insulation and new ways of recycling construction waste.
SOLOTHURN, SWITZERLAND–The W.A. de Vigier Award, the most renowned prize for young entrepreneurs in Switzerland, announced the five innovative Swiss startups winners of the W.A de Vigier awards 2020, in a ceremony held at the studios of CNN Money Switzerland on June 11, 2020.
Since its establishment, the W.A. de Vigier Foundation aimed to support the best startups of Switzerland. In 2020 four of the five best startups come from the Cleantech industry, which reflects the high percentage of submissions by this sector this year. These companies have the potential to help us rebuild our economy in a sustainable and resilient way. From 192 submitted projects, the jury picked their five winners today and awarded each of them with a prize of CHF 100,000.
One of the winners was the Swiss Cleantech Startup EH Group for its Innovative Fuel Cell Technology for Clean Energy.
EH Group has developed a technology that harnesses the power of hydrogen in a compact, reliable way at low cost and minimal initial investment.
EH Group Engineering offers a uniquely simplified and redesigned fuel cell stack at the micro-level, making it significantly more compact, lightweight and efficient. The startup uses a completely new concept of fuel cell stack production with high micro precision assembly, integrating proprietary machinery that will deliver a 30kW stack in under a minute that reduces the cost tenfold compared to current technologies. Furthermore, the startup’s fuel cell technology can operate with minimal effects of gravity and in any orientation, which makes it very interesting for automotive, space and aviation sectors.
It’s the startup’s declared goal to unlock hydrogen fuel cells’ true potential across a wide range of deployment scenarios, most notably the heavy transport industry, to contribute to a decarbonised future.
“I cannot deny that this is a very difficult time. But we keep pushing forward, we certainly do not give up. We have daily phone calls with our team members and my team is the most valuable asset I have. They will help shape the company when it grows and I can feel their unwavering commitment”, says Mardit Matian, CEO of EH Group Engineering AG.
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