As a pioneering university, EPFL focuses on entrepreneurship and the research that leads to transformational technology.
In 2005, EPFL launched the Innogrants. The program was founded on the ethos that if we support founders, the rest will follow. It was the first gap-funding program in our ecosystem.
Over the last ten years, the entrepreneurial landscape has changed dramatically. Our strengthened ecosystem has attracted talent, and startups have flourished.
We are continuously shaping our support to allow our entrepreneurs to grow and make the most out of their startup incubation journey. We have built a unique and inclusive Startup Launchpad to address the needs of both high tech and fast deployment entrepreneurial projects, providing the entrepreneurs skills and means to shape the future.
As we keep telling our startups, with growth comes new opportunities. Let’s keep innovating!
We want to work with our entrepreneurs to explore problems and imagine new solutions – thinking bigger and thinking different to create a new future.
Isabel Casado
Head of Venture Builder
Isabel holds a Masters in Computer Science from EPFL. She spent over 15 years in Fortune 500 companies, implementing innovative IT services and products. Her personal drive lies in bringing technologies and talent together. Isabel had the opportunity to build and lead international teams. She joined EPFL’s enable program in 2017, rapidly becoming an active and recognized member of our innovation ecosystem. Since May 2025 she steps into a new chapter as Head of Venture Builder, where she will continue to inspire and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Daphna Glaubert
Design Program Manager
Daphna holds a Masters of Architecture and a Masters of Innovation. She worked for 8 years in the architecture and design field before specializing in design and innovation management. Today, Daphna is the Design Program Manager at Startup Launchpad and her goal is to help entrepreneurs discover and validate customers as early as possible and use design tools to accelerate their time to market.
Maurice Gaillard
Program Leader
Maurice plays a pivotal role in supporting early-stage startups, particularly those emerging from EPFL labs. He leads programs like EPFL Blaze, the accelerator designed to help student-led ventures validate their markets and prepare for growth. Through tailored coaching and strategic guidance, he fosters a dynamic environment where aspiring entrepreneurs can transform their ideas into impactful businesses.
Melis Ataol
Program coordinator
Melis is a consumer experience strategist and startup founder specialized in marketing innovation, commercial growth, and early-stage startup development. She began her career in the FMCG sector, where she led the creation of new services and market strategies for global brands. Her focus is on helping early-stage startups move from idea to execution by combining structured experimentation with a sharp emphasis on product-market fit. At EPFL, she manages early-stage startup programs and supports student-led ventures in refining their value proposition, validating their market, and building early traction.
Sarah Perroud
Project Manager
Sarah completed a commercial diploma and has recently started studying business economics. She has worked for international companies in Switzerland and South America. She joined EPFL in 2017, where she became part of the technology transfer office and the enable team. Today, Sarah is responsible for following up the Startup Launchpad projects and is the point of entry for the internship program. Always ready to help and support entrepreneurs interested in the program, she plays a key role in their journey.
Marius Conti
Program Leader
Marius is a strategic designer and innovation educator at EPFL, where he leads the AI Startup Launchpad. He also supports early-stage ventures through design-driven methods, with a focus on human-centered design. With over a decade of experience in digital and social innovation, including work for Siemens, Deloitte Global, NAGRA, WWF, and the Red Cross, Marius also co-founded Novertur – a business intelligence platform for SMEs (now business-monitor.ch)
Jana Obeid
Hub Manager
Jana is a communications specialist with over seven years of experience, driven by a passion for supporting young entrepreneurs and cultivating welcoming, well-organized environments that foster innovation and growth. She joined EPFL in 2024 as the Station’s Manager; a dynamic hub connecting student associations and entrepreneurial programs. In this role, she ensures the space remains inspiring and collaborative while serving as a key liaison across communities, overseeing access, bookings, and daily operations. Guided by a 360° mindset, Jana values proactivity, agility, and positivity, and believes that trust, respect, and mutual understanding are the foundation of meaningful work.
Contact
EPFL Startup Launchpad
Vice Presidency for Innovation and Impact
EPFL Innovation Park J
CH-1015 Lausanne