Zurich-based startup qCella is transforming the established market of electrically powered heated products with its customizable, flexible, and paper-thin heating mats. The patent-pending copper-cellulose hybrid material enables uniform heat distribution across the mat, eliminating the need for a heat-distributing upholstery layer. This results in a more energy-efficient heating solution. The mats can be easily cut into various shapes and sizes, allowing cost-effective integration into products such as heated car and airplane seats, car interiors, clothing, footwear, pain relief devices, and industrial machinery.

The company has successfully closed its first funding round, raising CHF 1.3 million from several organizations and business angels, including Kickfund, Business Angels Switzerland, Aare Ventures, Business Angels Aargau, Winti Ventures, Kick Foundation (Venture Kick), ETH Foundation and Swisspreneur Syndicate. With these funds, the Zurich-based startup will expand its team to six full-time employees. The co-founding team consists of CEO Murielle Schreck (PhD in Materials Science, ETH Zurich), CTO Fabian Schmid (MSc. in Materials Science, ETH Zurich), and COO Weyde Lin (PhD in Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich).

The funds will support scaling production of the copper-cellulose hybrid fibers, transitioning from batch to roll-to-roll paper-making with external partners, and integrating the heating technology into a customer product for testing by the end of 2025. The startup has already secured paid pilot projects for 2025, with many more companies in the pipeline for tests and product development this year. The customers stem from various industries ranging from heated shoe insoles, panel heating for electric vehicles to heating of food warming and holding systems. 

“We’re excited to bring extensive expertise to qCella through this funding round. Our investors have built teams, chaired boards, founded companies, and have deep experience in finance and marketing,” said Murielle Schreck, CEO & Co-Founder of qCella AG.

This new funding builds on previous grants from the Bridge Proof of Concept program (Innosuisse and SNSF), the ETH Pioneer Fellowship (ETH Foundation), and InnoBooster (Gebert Rüf Stiftung).

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