The Fondation pour Recherches Médicales is pleased to highlight the continued success of Geneva-based startup VECTOPIA, hosted at La Tulipe, as it advances in the W.A. de Vigier Award 2026 competition.
After being selected among the Top 17 startups in this prestigious Swiss entrepreneurial competition, Dr Maude Rolland recently represented VECTOPIA at the Connection Day 2026 organized in Neuchâtel by the W.A. de Vigier Foundation.
The event brought together the Top 17 founders for a full day of discussions focused on topics such as storytelling, product–market fit, and the real challenges of entrepreneurship. In a collaborative and supportive atmosphere, participants openly exchanged experiences, feedback, and advice, highlighting the strength of the Swiss startup ecosystem.
As Maude Rolland shared after the event:
“Events like these remind us how valuable the Swiss startup ecosystem truly is — collaborative, ambitious, and human.”
Founded in 1987, the W.A. de Vigier Award is considered one of Switzerland’s most prestigious entrepreneurial distinctions. Each year, the foundation awards up to five prizes of CHF 120,000 and provides startups with access to a strong network of investors, alumni founders, and industry experts.
Beyond financial support, the program offers valuable visibility and mentoring opportunities for high-potential technology startups.
Based in Geneva, VECTOPIA develops innovative manufacturing technologies designed to improve the production of vectors used in gene therapy. Its mission is to help make advanced therapies more accessible to patients worldwide.
The startup is driven by a four-person team composed of:
By developing new solutions to simplify and optimize viral vector manufacturing, VECTOPIA addresses key challenges in translational medicine and advanced therapies.
The Fondation pour Recherches Médicales warmly congratulates Maude Rolland and the entire VECTOPIA team on this important milestone and wishes them continued success in the next stages of the competition.
🎥 Watch the Connection Day 2026 video:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7458463978432712705/
🔗 Learn more about the de Vigier Award:
https://devigier.ch/
