Spacetek

High-tech innovation from the University of Bern serving the global high-precision industry and used in space missions: Founded in 2018, Spacetek Technology is turning this vision into reality.

Teamfoto Spacetek
t.f.l. J.Jost (Initiator and Co-Founder), M. Bieri, S. Gasc, L. Hofer (Co-Founder), M. Bush b.f.l: R. Wiesendanger, A. Péteut (Co-Founder) - All University of Bern alumni

As a supplier of high-performance time-of-flight mass spectrometers, Spacetek minimizes waste in high-precision industries. By integrating technology originally designed for space research into their production facilities, industrial companies in Europe, Asia, and North America can significantly increase product reliability and efficiency in wafer manufacturing through real-time monitoring.

Spacetek founder Jürg Jost worked at the University of Bern for over 17 years and is currently focusing on the company's second pillar: serving the space market with cutting-edge technologies. He has co-developed scientific instruments for space travel such as CaSSIS, NIM, BELA, CHEOPS, ROSINA, NGMS, and LASMA. Today, the company contributes high-precision electronics and software in particular to various ESA and NASA missions to research the evolution of the moon and harness potential resources for future manned missions.

By integrating technology originally designed for space exploration into their production facilities, industrial companies can significantly increase product reliability and efficiency.

For Jürg Jost, developing a commercial product based on the university's unique technological expertise was a logical step. Co-founder Lukas Hofer, also from the University of Bern, and engineer Alain Péteut continue to contribute in their respective disciplines to keeping Spacetek at the forefront of development: with the latest production monitoring technologies for the manufacture of logic and memory chips at industry leaders in Korea and Taiwan, where branch offices already exist.

The University of Bern produces outstanding experts—not least thanks to its leading global role in the field of mass spectrometry.

The fact that the UniBE spin-off has blossomed into a solid SME with 32 employees in Gümligen is partly thanks to the excellent education provided by the University of Bern in the fields of engineering, electronics, software development, physics, and chemistry: "The University of Bern produces outstanding specialists—not least thanks to its world-leading role in the field of mass spectrometry. We still enjoy hiring graduates today," says Jost, referring to the current growth in production. Spacetek has also received support from ESA BIC, the Bern Economic Development Agency, and the Foundation for Technological Innovation STI at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, and more recently by the Swiss Technology Fund.

Jürg Jost (right) is the initiator and co-founder of Spacetek Technology; Lukas Hofer (left) is one of the co-founders.
Spacetek
Name Founding Year Sector More on the Startup
Spacetek Technology 2018 Highprecision Engineering

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