Meet Thomas Roder, CEO of Abrinca Genomics. The biotech startup streamlines data analysis with an innovative software platform, OpenGenomeBrowser, advancing research in various microbial fields. In June, Thomas will join nine other biotech innovators on a business development and investor roadshow in Boston.
Name: Thomas Roder
Location: Bern
Nationality: Swiss
Graduated from: University of Bern
Job title: CEO
Number of employees: 3
Money raised: CHF 375,000
Can you tell us who your product or solution helps, and how?
Microbes are the foundation of life on Earth. They drive the cycles that sustain ecosystems, influence human health in ways we’re still uncovering, and power industries from agriculture to biotechnology. Yet despite their importance, microbial research is hindered by fragmented tools and inefficient workflows. Abrinca addresses this bottleneck with software that combines intuitive UX, robust data management, and a complete analytics suite. We improve research efficiency and discovery across microbial research fields including food, pathology, agriculture, and waste management.
What market are you addressing, and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
We are targeting the bioinformatics software market, projected to reach USD 15 billion by 2025. We aim to capture USD 175 million in the next five years. Unlike competitors, Abrinca’s modern platform offers flexible deployment (on-premise or cloud) and compatibility with any dataset, enabling non-bioinformaticians to conduct advanced analyses independently. This reduces workflow times from days to minutes, accelerating discovery.
"Build a team with diverse,
complementary strengths."
How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
During my PhD, I worked on developing novel yogurts by combining different bacterial strains for fermentation. As a bioinformatician, I faced disorganized genomic data that required extensive programming to analyze. Frustrated by these inefficiencies, I created simple tools for biologists to explore data independently, which evolved into a comprehensive microbial genomics platform. The software won the Innovative Resource Award from the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and attracted commercial interest, leading me to launch a startup.
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how do you think it will help you achieve your vision?
Through the Venture Leaders roadshow, we aim to engage with investors, industry experts, and potential partners to accelerate growth and expand Abrinca’s global presence. We seek funding, plan to meet 10+ investors and aim to validate our product with at least 5 potential customers. Additionally, we’ll learn from seed/growth-stage startups and gain insights into the U.S. genomics ecosystem to support our long-term goal of democratizing microbial genomics.
What are your team’s key achievements to date?
Abrinca has a market-ready product and a major corporate customer. We received the Innovative Resource Award from the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and have raised CHF 375,000 to date, including a convertible loan from Venture Kick Stage III. We’ve grown our team with the addition of an experienced CCO and a software developer, both essential for scaling our product and business. We're actively pursuing 60 leads, generating 5–10 new leads per week, and expect to close 5 new deals by Q3 2025.
Is there a key principle or value that guides you as you build your company?
Our guiding principle is empowering innovation through simplicity and authenticity. We believe complex, fragmented tools should not limit progress in microbial genomics. By making our software intuitive and accessible, we enable researchers—regardless of technical background—to focus on scientific questions and discovery. Our mission is to allow biologists to easily organize, access, and analyze microbial genomic data while freeing bioinformaticians to tackle deeper challenges. We aim to accelerate discovery, increase the value of data, and unlock the potential of microbial genomics. Our core values are trust, empowerment, and reliability.
What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
Being a CEO requires a different skill set than being a scientist or developer. The most important lesson I've learned is the value of building a team with diverse, complementary strengths—and the importance of trusting and delegating to move the company forward.
What is your favorite productivity hack or tool and why?
LLMs (Large Language Models like ChatGPT) are my favorite productivity tool. I use them for everything from refining emails and brainstorming strategies to helping with coding. They're not only efficient—they also make the work more enjoyable.
What was your dream job when you were a child?
I don’t remember having a specific dream job, but I’ve always been drawn to technology. I had devices like a PSION, a Palm, one of the earliest ultrabooks and Android phones, and now a foldable phone. I loved computers but didn't want to study computer science because it seemed narrow. I chose biochemistry instead and only returned to (bio)informatics during my PhD.
