Founder Anja Müller of ATR Elements won a trip to the DLD conference in Tel Aviv in the "Start Tel Aviv" competition. This year's focus of the competition was on women who have founded startups. Anja won the pitch in Berlin with her medical technology startup. ATR Elements develops cost-effective and diagnostically accurate silicon sample carriers that are intended to make blood tests cheaper.
During her one-week stay in Tel Aviv, Anja, together with the other international teams and Israeli startups, was able to participate in workshops and make contacts with international companies, business angels, scientists, and developers.
We asked Anja how it was and where her startup is headed.
What added value did the DLD Congress in Tel Aviv have for you? What did you "take away"?
I'm delighted to have been invited to the international DLD Conference as the German winner of the "Start Tel Aviv" competition. Getting to know the other 34 winners from 30 countries, their ideas, and their companies was very exciting and inspiring.
In addition to the conference, we also participated in some fantastic workshops together, such as "SIT – Systematic Inventive Thinking." It was a great experience, not only to experience the workshop itself but also to experience different cultural approaches to problems.
What is your perception of the startup scene in Israel?
I was very impressed by the startup scene in Israel. I can well imagine that this vibrant and innovative startup culture emerged from the interplay of enthusiasm for technology, an intensive network, and cultural diversity.
The "Start Tel Aviv" competition focused on female entrepreneurs. What sets female founders apart from their male counterparts?
The X.
For me, the team and the idea are the most important thing, as is a common goal that inspires us and that we are achieving: saving lives through early diagnosis, because we are making ATR infrared spectroscopy ready for use in clinical practice.
And what else is going on at ATR Elements?
Following the successful demonstration of the sample carriers at the SPEC 2016 conference in Montreal, we've received the first order requests. The conference was a great opportunity to meet leading experts in the field of blood analysis in person.
It's a success for us that the first clinical sample study using our sample carriers is starting this week. Two clinical studies are already planned for next year in collaboration with our partners.
And in addition to the technical side, finding investors and thus securing follow-up financing is a very current issue for us.
Thank you, Anja! We wish you and ATR Elements continued success on your journey.
If you would like to learn more about the company, click here to see our “7 Questions for ATR Elements”.
