🎤 💡 👨🔬 🦻 In our first TRAIN Academy Keynote Lecture of 2025, Daniel Keppeler explained how optical cochlear implants could fundamentally revolutionize the hearing perception of deaf and hearing-impaired people. He showed the groundbreaking technology behind it, which will significantly enhance the quality of hearing with an implant. He also elaborated on the challenging transformation from a researcher to one of the leaders of the start-up OptoGenTech GmbH.
The foundation of OptoGenTech GmbH is based on research work at the Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, the Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH in Göttingen, the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg and the Technische Universität Chemnitz as well as the seed funding of Photonik Inkubator GmbH Göttingen.
🔦 🧬 🔬 🧪 The approach of using photonic methods to improve hearing has developed rapidly in recent years. Daniel gave us an overview of the current state of research, focusing on the optical control of genetically modified cells. This innovative technology has the potential to advance life sciences in various fields beyond hearing restoration.
💡💰 💁♀️ 🙋 His presentation offered a valuable glimpse into the critical aspects of founding a life science start-up, particularly the challenges of financing it from start to finish. OptoGenTech GmbH faced hurdles when seeking investors, as many were only willing to engage at a more advanced stage. Daniel emphasized the importance of support from accelerators or incubators, which provided essential guidance during the company’s foundational steps. Moreover, an engaged start-up team and an experienced project manager among others played a key role in overcoming initial obstacles.
🧑💻 📳 📈 Daniel also shared insights into the diverse responsibilities of leading a start-up as CEO, where decision-making spans all areas of the business. This requires not only expertise but also a willingness to take calculated risks.
🎤 🤝 🍹 The success of OptoGenTech GmbH has been reached by networking at events like the TRAIN Academy Keynote Lecture. Direct discussions and connections at such gatherings have provided crucial ideas and support, enabling the company to make remarkable progress.
🦻 👏 ✨ OptoGenTech GmbH aims to launch the optical cochlear implant (oCI) by 2036. We extend our best wishes to Daniel and his team as they continue on this inspiring journey!