Alpha Diagnostics did not start from a blank sheet of paper, but from a classic spin-off from another company. The founders all came from the former Jaquet Technology Group, which was sold in 2016. Months after the sale, it became apparent that the diagnostic equipment product segment did not fit into the Group, so this product line was divested. That was the moment for Alpha Diagnostics. Everything had to happen very quickly. Virtually overnight, the four founders needed office premises. They found what they were looking for in the Businesspark in Reinach, and off they went.
«In 2019 we took part in the Swiss Innovation Challenge and finished in a good 6th place. Since BLKB is a partner of the Swiss Innovation Challenge, we were asked if we wanted to participate in the first edition of ‹100 fürs Baselbiet›. At that time we were in need of funding and accepted.»
«In the Jaquet Technology Group, we used to produce mainly speed sensors and evaluators and were generally concerned with the speed of the machines. We always thought it must be possible to read more than the speed of the machines. With our algorithms, we can now evaluate from the signals that we record from the speed not only how fast the machine is turning, but also how regularly. And from the small irregularities, we can judge what is happening in this machine.»
«The main advantage for the customer is that they can maintain the machine in a more targeted manner. This means that maintenance is no longer required every three months but the machine can be monitored, and a maintenance team needs only to be sent if necessary. This saves maintenance costs. In addition, engines that do not run completely smoothly require more fuel, which is a cost factor. Such engines also produce more exhaust gases – an environmental factor that can be improved.»
«Yes, absolutely! We have a technology with which we can make a contribution, and it becomes even more advantageous when you can equip an entire fleet with it, network all the devices and collect this data. With the new invoice data analysis technologies, also big data or artificial intelligence, you can analyse data and evaluate and compare the entire fleet as well as the machinery.»
«Not yet. We provide data that can be systematically ‹mined› using artificial intelligence or mass data processing technologies. We don’t do this ourselves yet, but it’s a possible direction in which we may develop further or in which we may seek collaboration with other companies.»
«We started in a classical way. We were four people who had a great idea. Instead of recruiting, we looked at what tasks were involved and distributed them as well as possible, so that the qualities of the individual partners could be put to best use. That's what we did for a good two years. Now it’s time to reorganise, because it's not always most efficient if a development manager takes measurements on site himself.»
«The whole process was very simple. We had to introduce ourselves in one or two interviews and present a business plan, not unlike what you have to do in a competition or an investor pitch. That was very well organised. When we heard that we had been accepted in the programme, there was a handover to the local account manager – this worked smoothly.»
«There are major risks, especially for technically oriented start-ups. They are often founded by engineers or technical people who have a product idea that they are very convinced of, but the market side often gets overlooked. Too little attention is paid to sales acquisition and marketing. It's important from the beginning to have an eye on the market, to acquire customers and to be active on the customer front, because this helps to improve the product.»
