Scewo

The company originated from a student project called "Scalevo" at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) in August 2014. Co-founder Thomas Gemperle was part of a ten-student team that developed the initial prototype of a stair-climbing device. The project gained significant attention after a video of the prototype went viral in August 2015. This led to the official founding of Scewo AG in September 2017 by Bernhard Winter, Pascal Buholzer, and Thomas Gemperle. The founders, who all studied at ETH Zurich, have backgrounds that directly relate to the company's focus on advanced mobility solutions. Bernhard Winter serves as the CEO, Thomas Gemperle is the CCO and CBO, and Pascal Buholzer is the CTO.

Scewo's business is centered around its flagship product, the Scewo BRO, a power wheelchair designed to navigate stairs. The company serves customers in the DACH region (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) and has expanded into France, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Scewo's revenue is generated through the sale of the BRO wheelchair, which has a starting price of 32,850 Swiss Francs/Euros (excluding VAT). The company also works with health insurance companies and foundations to help customers finance the purchase. In Germany, the BRO is officially recognized as a medical aid, which simplifies the insurance application process.

The Scewo BRO is a self-balancing electric wheelchair that can climb and descend stairs using a rubber track system. Its key features include the ability to switch between a two-wheeled mode for general navigation and a track mode for stairs and rough terrain. The chair is controlled via a joystick and a smartphone app, which allows for customization of settings like lighting, seat position, and speed. It also has an elevated mode for eye-level conversations and reaching higher objects. The BRO has a range of up to 20 miles on a single charge and can handle obstacles up to two inches high. The company develops its software and hardware in-house, enabling cloud-based updates. Having secured significant Series A funding, Scewo aims to expand into the U.S. market, pending FDA compliance.