Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards 2023

14 lifestyle. Due to these values, we do not compromise in regards of quality, innovation, and scientific backing in order to provide the best functional beverage on the market currently.” KA-EX’s functional beverages made their debut in the autumn of 2017, across 15 pharmacies, and the journey kicked off to a terrific start. The beverages became Switzerland’s top-selling dietary supplements on the market, making the partnership even more valuable to the industry, and, therefore, consumer. The pandemic put a stop to many plans and products however, due to the power of the supplements, KA-EX’s supplement sales continued to skyrocket – proving that health and wellness will always be a top priority within society. Together with KA-EX, ViCAP and its patented product is about to transform the realm of health and fitness. Its USP is rooted in its dedication and commitment to revolutionising the world of healthy drinks, and its devotion has earned itself a pedestal in the spotlight. Roger tells us, “ViCAP and KA-EX represent groundbreaking advancements in their respective fields of functional beverages.” Of course, this is a distinction that has consistently driven both companies to their brilliant success. As a result, together they have created a product that will, ultimately, help people’s healthy lifestyles to flourish better than ever before. This partnership has created a strong, unwavering dedication to quality and health of the end consumer, making ViCAP one to watch within the industry. Its specific, and niche, product is set to change the pace of the nutritional drinks sector, improving everyone’s overall mental and physical health for the years to come. When previously interviewed by another host, Roger explained the key elements of why ViCAP was established, and what he believes ViCAP will bring to the future: Let’s start from the beginning. What were your motivations and inspiration for creating ViCAP? Roger Franz: Embarking on a journey in the business world had always been my dream. At the time when I founded ViCAP, I noticed that the non-alcoholic beverage market held immense growth potential, especially considering evolving consumer preferences and the demand for quality products. This inspired me to establish a company that would offer innovative solutions in this field. What challenges did you face when starting the company? Roger Franz: Like any entrepreneur, I encountered significant challenges. Launching a new business from scratch always involves risks and uncertainties. We had to overcome financial and organisational barriers, as well as convince partners and investors of the potential of our idea. What were the key moments that helped ViCAP achieve success? Roger Franz: Forming a strong team was one of the pivotal moments. I believed that success depended not only on me but on the collective efforts of all team members. We focused on product quality, innovation, and understanding the needs of our customers. This helped us grow into a quality player in the market. How do you envision the future of ViCAP? Roger Franz: I look confidently towards ViCAP’s future. We continue to invest in research and development, seeking new ways to improve our products and create unique solutions. Our goal is not only to remain leaders in the industry but also to inspire innovation throughout the sector. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Roger and Pedro. It was insightful and inspiring. Roger Franz: Thank you very much for the invitation. I hope our experience will assist other entrepreneurs and inspire new achievements. By creating the world’s first sports-cap system, the business has pushed itself to the forefront of the industry. Its work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and we’re sure to see it continue to work its magic for the greater good of the beverage companies and end consumer’s health. This is exactly why it has been awarded with the title of Healthcare-Focused Beverage Packaging Innovator of the Year 2023 – Switzerland. For the future, ViCAP and KA-EX are looking to replicate the success of the product in the USA. Pedro shares, “With the vast potential that the U.S. market offers, there’s an anticipation of great success. KA-EX’s U.S. launch strategy is meticulously planned across three distinct phases.” Phase one consisted of the feasibility study, which was a great success. Pedro says, “Our achievements led us to integrate into the MISTA startup ecosystem, with the backing of food industry giants like Givaudan and Danone. Notably, KA-EX was invited as the sole European startup to the investor meeting of the Nutrition Capital Network (NCN) in San Francisco, a network encompassing prominent corporate venture capitalists in the U.S. food sector, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and other esteemed names. Moreover, we’ve proudly been recognised as the official supplier to the prestigious House of Athletes in Florida, a training facility frequented by NFL and MLB stars.” Phase two entails the initial reveal of the ViCapSystems product with a “modest marketing budget”. This is where ViCAP presents its work to the world, and it is projected to last until around February 2024, when the patented product is predicted to complete the proof of concept phase. Phase three is the final step in the journey as ViCAP plans to take the product to market in March 2024 – where it will surely pick up traction across the market. Pedro adds, “With a goal in mind, we are actively fundraising, and have already secured $2.2 million

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