Lonely Yet Impactful: How the Swiss National Startup Team Helped Volumina Medical Gain Access and Shape Society

Volumina Medical develops injectable biomaterials to restore soft tissue volume lost after disease, trauma, or surgery. Their biomaterials enable the body to repair itself, with applications in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. Amélie Béduer, CEO and Co-Founder of Volumina Medical, is among the Venture Leaders alumni that shape society through innovation by addressing critical unmet medical needs. Since she joined Venture Leaders in 2019, they have raised significant capital, securing a CHF 21 million funding round in 2024, and have established a strong presence in the Asian, European, and US markets. Looking back, Amélie sees Venture Leaders as an important step in expanding her international network and learning how to engage with people who would ultimately shape the future of her company.

Understanding a Global Need 

 

From the earliest stages of development, Volumina Medical looked beyond Switzerland. As the team worked to understand patient needs and refine its technology, they reached out to physicians, patients, and key opinion leaders around the world. What they discovered reinforced their conviction that the problem they were addressing was universal. 

While there are differences between patient populations and healthcare systems, the biological mechanisms behind tissue repair are remarkably similar. The body's vascular system, tissue structure and healing processes do not stop at national borders. For Volumina Medical, this meant that the core value proposition of its technology could resonate globally. 

This insight also influenced how the company approached product development. Rather than designing solutions for a specific country, the team focused on creating a platform technology that could address unmet medical needs across multiple markets. As discussions expanded internationally, they found strong interest from surgeons and healthcare professionals who recognised the potential of minimally invasive tissue repair solutions. 

At the same time, international expansion brought valuable lessons about how different stakeholders evaluate innovation. While physicians around the world understood the clinical benefits of the technology, their priorities were not always the same. 

 

Learning from Different Markets and Different Perspectives 

 

As Volumina Medical engaged with experts across Europe, the United States and Asia, Amélie noticed distinct differences in how healthcare innovation was perceived. In the United States, discussions often focused immediately on economics. When presented with a technology that could reduce surgical interventions, physicians quickly calculated what it could mean for operating room efficiency and healthcare costs. The conversation often moved rapidly towards the economic value created by the innovation. 

In Asia, the reaction was different. Rather than concentrating on the first clinical application, many stakeholders immediately began exploring additional possibilities. They looked beyond the initial indication and considered how the platform could be applied to a broader range of medical needs. 

These differences taught the team an important lesson: while the underlying medical need may be universal, the way innovation is evaluated varies from market to market. Successful internationalization requires understanding not only the science behind a product, but also the mindset of the people evaluating it. 

"Dare to contact people early. Even if you don't have much to show yet, you learn so much from those conversations." 

The same applied to fundraising. Venture Leaders Boston gave Amélie the opportunity to meet investors and gain exposure to the US venture ecosystem. The experience broadened her perspective on fundraising and helped her build relationships beyond Switzerland. 

Interestingly, when Volumina Medical eventually raised more than CHF 21 million in their last financing round, the majority of the capital came from Swiss investors. Yet the international exposure remained valuable. It strengthened the company's credibility, expanded its network, and provided insights that continue to influence how the business approaches growth today. 
 

Lonely Yet Consistent: The Founder Journey Is Not Always Glamorous 

 

When reflecting on her Venture Leaders experience, Amélie does not immediately think about the investor meetings, pitch sessions or visits to renowned organisations. Instead, what stands out most are the relationships formed with fellow entrepreneurs. 

Building a startup can often feel like a solitary journey. Founders spend years navigating uncertainty, making difficult decisions and carrying responsibilities that few people fully understand. The opportunity to spend time with other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges created a sense of community that has stayed with her long after the roadshow ended. 

She recalls the informal moments as some of the most valuable: conversations after events, sharing experiences over a beer and learning from peers in a relaxed environment. Those exchanges provided practical insights, but they also created friendships that continue today. 

As a founder, Amélie believes many of the most important lessons come from stepping outside your comfort zone. This belief shapes the advice she now gives to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Rather than waiting until everything is perfect, she encourages founders to engage with customers, users and stakeholders as early as possible. 

For scientists in particular, this can be challenging. Research often rewards precision and preparation, while entrepreneurship requires action in the face of uncertainty. Yet it is precisely those early conversations that generate the insights needed to build products people truly want. 

Her second lesson is equally simple: remain focused and consistent. Building a company is rarely defined by a single meeting, event or strategic decision. More often, success comes from showing up every day, making incremental progress and staying committed to a long-term vision. 

As Venture Leaders celebrates 20 years, Amélie's story serves as a reminder that international growth begins with curiosity. The willingness to reach out, learn from others and build relationships beyond familiar networks can open doors that shape the future of a company for years to come. 

Researchers at Volumina Medical’s cleanroom facility developing AdiPearl®

Are you curious too? Then this could be your call to step out of your comfort zone. Get familiar with Venture Leaders, its upcoming events and activities and learn more about the success stories behind it.

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