PolaSight receives CHF 40,000 from Venture Kick to advance rapid tissue characterization in pathology
15.06.2026
PolaSight receives CHF 40,000 from Venture Kick to advance PolaOne, its AI-powered polarimetric imaging platform for pathology. The technology enables pathologists to characterize fresh tissue in just 60 seconds without staining or consumables, accelerating intraoperative decision-making and improving workflow efficiency in clinical practice.
 CEO Roi, CSO Pablo, CTO Davide, ADVISOR Rapahel
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What was the first real signal that your solution worked outside the lab or pitch deck, and what did that moment change for you?
Our breakthrough came when we calibrated two independent imaging systems to measure the same biophysical signal and saw our AI predictions match expert pathologists’ assessments on fresh tissue.
In deep tech, reproducibility across different hardware setups is a major hurdle. Seeing it work changed everything. Pathologists gained confidence in the technology, we proved the platform could be standardized, and we moved from explaining a concept to demonstrating a solution to a real clinical problem.
Can you briefly describe your project and where it stood when you entered Venture Kick?$
PolaSight is developing PolaOne, a polarimetric imaging platform that enables pathologists to characterize fresh tissue in 60 seconds without staining or consumables.
When we entered Venture Kick, we were a University of Bern spin-out with validated technology, strong clinical collaborations, and peer-reviewed science. What we lacked was the company structure, commercial strategy, and financing plan needed to bring the technology to market.
How has the direction of your product/service/product strategy changed since working with the Venture Kick Team?
Before Venture Kick, we positioned ourselves as a cancer surgery imaging platform. The program helped us identify a much stronger position: serving pathologists rather than surgeons.
By focusing on intraoperative pathology workflows that already exist, we avoid competing for operating room time and fit directly into an established clinical process. That shift, together with the addition of experienced medical and industry advisors, shaped both our clinical and commercial strategy.
How will the Stage 2 funding help you advance your project concretely?
Stage 2 funding will support three key commercial validation activities ahead of our planned CE mark clearance in early 2027.
These include a Voice-of-Customer study with pathologists in Europe and the U.S., a structured key opinion leader engagement program, and the commercial groundwork needed to reach our next financing milestone.
Our breakthrough came when we calibrated two independent imaging systems to measure the same biophysical signal and saw our AI predictions match expert pathologists’ assessments on fresh tissue.
In deep tech, reproducibility across different hardware setups is a major hurdle. Seeing it work changed everything. Pathologists gained confidence in the technology, we proved the platform could be standardized, and we moved from explaining a concept to demonstrating a solution to a real clinical problem.
Can you briefly describe your project and where it stood when you entered Venture Kick?$
PolaSight is developing PolaOne, a polarimetric imaging platform that enables pathologists to characterize fresh tissue in 60 seconds without staining or consumables.
When we entered Venture Kick, we were a University of Bern spin-out with validated technology, strong clinical collaborations, and peer-reviewed science. What we lacked was the company structure, commercial strategy, and financing plan needed to bring the technology to market.
How has the direction of your product/service/product strategy changed since working with the Venture Kick Team?
Before Venture Kick, we positioned ourselves as a cancer surgery imaging platform. The program helped us identify a much stronger position: serving pathologists rather than surgeons.
By focusing on intraoperative pathology workflows that already exist, we avoid competing for operating room time and fit directly into an established clinical process. That shift, together with the addition of experienced medical and industry advisors, shaped both our clinical and commercial strategy.
How will the Stage 2 funding help you advance your project concretely?
Stage 2 funding will support three key commercial validation activities ahead of our planned CE mark clearance in early 2027.
These include a Voice-of-Customer study with pathologists in Europe and the U.S., a structured key opinion leader engagement program, and the commercial groundwork needed to reach our next financing milestone.