San Francisco – April 7, 2025

From Swiss Innovation to Global Impact: A Startup’s Path to International Growth

At Bionomous, we entered the Startup Camp (Robotics) with high hopes and left with concrete opportunities that have fundamentally changed our approach to the US market. Leading our delegation, CEO Frank Bonnet personally traveled to San Francisco to take part in the camp. The connections, mentorship, and ecosystem immersion provided by Swissnex have become invaluable pillars of our international expansion strategy.

Our Startup and Vision: Precision Technology for Life-Saving Research

Bionomous stands at the intersection of robotics, fluidics, and artificial intelligence. As a Swiss company spin-off from the EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), we’ve developed specialized technology for advanced biological entity analysis, sorting, and plating—critical processes in life science research and pharmaceutical development.

Our mission centers on bringing efficiency, precision, and scalability to laboratories worldwide. By automating these complex processes, we help accelerate pre-clinical trials of potentially life-saving treatments and support fundamental research using promising miniature models like zebrafish embryos and organoids.
With our flagship product, the EggSorter, already installed across Europe, the United States, China, and Qatar, we’ve proven the value of our technology. However, we quickly realized that global market penetration demands more than an excellent product—it requires strategic connections, deep market insights, and a tailored approach to each region.
This realization led us to Swissnex in San Francisco, whose Robotic Startup Camp became the catalyst for our US market expansion strategy.

Why Swissnex? Choosing Our Path to Silicon Valley

When evaluating our international expansion options, the Startup Camp (Robotics) powered by Innosuisse and managed by Swissnex emerged as the ideal bridge between our Swiss innovation roots and the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

Several factors influenced our decision:

• Strategic location: The US represents one of our largest potential markets due to its massive R&D investments, world-leading research institutions, and robust venture capital environment.
• Existing connections: With customers already present in the US and one of our investors, Cybernetix Ventures, based in Boston, we had initial footholds to build upon.
• Ecosystem access: We recognized that engaging with Silicon Valley’s unparalleled concentration of investors, researchers, and industry experts would be transformative for our growth trajectory.

We applied to the program with clear objectives: immerse ourselves in the local ecosystem, connect with potential clients to drive international business growth, forge strategic partnerships, and engage with investors to shape our upcoming funding round. To our delight, we were selected to join a cohort of four promising Swiss startups: AICA, Mimic, and Hydromea.

The Swissnex Experience: A Hub of Innovation and Connection

From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the infrastructure at Swissnex in San Francisco. Strategically situated at Pier 17, adjacent to the Swiss consulate and near the city center, the modern, functional office space provided an ideal environment for collaboration and innovation.

The Swissnex team itself proved to be one of the program’s greatest assets. Diverse professionals from various fields, backed by an extensive network deeply connected to the local ecosystem, provided support that far exceeded our expectations. Their ability to facilitate meaningful introductions and customize the program to our specific needs demonstrated their commitment to our success.

The Robotic Camp Experience: Key Moments and Learning Opportunities

The Startup Camp (Robotics) provided an intensive immersion into Silicon Valley’s unique startup ecosystem. The program was thoughtfully structured to maximize our exposure to relevant connections while providing practical knowledge we could immediately apply to our expansion plans.

• Tailored Support for Market Entry:
  One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the personalized mentorship sessions with industry experts, lawyers, and investors. These sessions highlighted the specific challenges and opportunities of US market entry, from navigating complex legal requirements to understanding various options for establishing a US entity. This tailored guidance helped us avoid potential pitfalls and accelerated our learning curve.
• Network Expansion with Purpose:
  The networking events organized by Swissnex opened doors to venture capital firms and strategic partners that would have been difficult to access independently. These connections provided crucial feedback that helped us adjust our financing strategy and refine our approach to the US market.
• Academic and Innovation Hub Integration:
  Visits to top universities and innovation centers inspired us with advanced research opportunities and potential collaborations. These institutions represent the cutting edge of our field, and the connections we established laid the groundwork for future research partnerships.
• Defining Moments: Pitching in the Heart of Innovation:
  Two key moments stand out from our experience: pitching our technology at events filled with experts, VC partners, and fellow founders. The constructive feedback we received refined our value proposition and sharpened our ability to communicate effectively with US audiences. These pitching opportunities pushed us to distill our complex technology into clear, compelling messages that resonated with American stakeholders.

Beyond the structured program elements, being in Silicon Valley during the AI boom and witnessing the region’s response to significant political changes provided invaluable context for our market approach. These experiences helped us better understand how different parts of the world think, allowing us to approach various markets and people with greater cultural intelligence.

Concrete Results: From Connections to Collaborations

Our participation in the Startup Camp yielded several tangible outcomes that have directly impacted our growth trajectory:

• Investment opportunities: We secured meetings with key investors interested in funding our next growth phase, laying the groundwork for our upcoming funding round.
• Research partnerships: We established promising collaborations with prominent US institutions, including UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and the University of California, San Francisco—partnerships that will enhance our technology and market position.
• Refined market strategy: Leveraging insights from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and legal experts, we developed a more nuanced and effective US market entry strategy.
• Expanded network: Perhaps most importantly, we connected with potential customers and industry leaders who continue to support our journey, providing ongoing advice and opening doors to new opportunities.

The value of these results extends beyond immediate gains. The relationships we formed during the program have become long-term assets that will continue to yield benefits as we expand our US presence.

Future Perspectives: Building on Our Swissnex Foundation

The next phase of our journey involves implementing the knowledge and leveraging the connections gained through the Swissnex program. In 2025, we’re focusing on several key initiatives:

• Developing our US market presence by establishing appropriate legal structures
• Further cultivating strategic partnerships with research institutions and industry players
• Expanding our sales and distribution channels throughout the country
• Securing additional funding to finance the startup growth

The foundation laid during the Startup Camp (Robotics) has given us the confidence and connections to pursue these ambitious goals with greater clarity and purpose.

Advice for Future Participants: Seize the Opportunity

For startups considering the Swissnex market camp in Silicon Valley, our advice is straightforward: seize the opportunity and apply for these programs! Silicon Valley represents a unique ecosystem globally, and the Swissnex team ensures you maximize every moment of your experience.

The connections, knowledge, and exposure gained through this program are invaluable assets that will shape your company’s trajectory for years to come. Come prepared with clear objectives, but also remain open to unexpected opportunities—often, these become the most transformative elements of the experience.

We particularly recommend:

• Reach out to people you want to meet before arriving in San Francisco
• Defining specific goals before arriving but maintaining flexibility
• Taking full advantage of the mentorship opportunities
• Being proactive in networking events—every conversation holds potential
• Following up diligently on all connections made during the program

About

Our Startup Offers: Swissnex is the launchpad for Swiss startups in the US. Our equity-free startup programs are customized to the needs of entrepreneurs exploring or entering the US market. With over a decade of experience, Swissnex in San Francisco is an ideal partner in your startup’s internationalization journey.

Our Upcoming Startup Camps, powered by Innosuisse and Managed by Swissnex: We offer 2-week Startup Camps with toolbox sessions, fireside chats, networking events, a demo night, and more. This unique opportunity gives startups strategic advice to internationalize, visibility, and a home base to succeed in the US.

Written by Frank Bonnet, CEO of Bionomous. Frank Bonnet is a Swiss-born entrepreneur who studied at the EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), with two years spent abroad at Polytechnique Montréal and Bauman Moscow State Technical University. After completing his master’s in Robotics, Frank pursued a PhD, during which he developed robotic tools to study animal collective behavior. It was during his PhD that Frank identified a need for technology to automate the sorting of fish eggs and other similar entities. Following the completion of his doctorate, he began developing Bionomous technology during his postdoctoral research and later co-founded Bionomous.

Edited by Gwenaëlle Gisiger, Communications Associate at Swissnex in San Francisco