Ringier Digital Ventures invests in Swiss digital health start-up Baze 

The Zurich-based start-up Baze is a digital platform for personalized nutrition. Based on a simple and painless blood test that can be carried out at home, algorithms calculate any nutrient deficiencies and recommend appropriate supplements. The user receives their individual values and a personalized recommendation for nutrient supplements via the app, which are conveniently delivered to the customer's home in the optimal dosage. In future, the service will be expanded to include personalized nutrition and lifestyle tips. The mass spectrometry-based blood test was developed as part of an InnoSuisse project together with the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland and requires just four drops of blood. Another USP of Baze is the patented Nutrient Feedback Loop. The algorithms learn on the basis of the individual intake of nutrients by each customer.

Baze was founded by Philipp Schulte, Dr. Isam Haddad, Markus Okumus and Jan Vichr and has been active in the US market since 2018. Market entry in Switzerland is planned for the fourth quarter of 2018. "The trend towards personalization is also becoming increasingly important in the area of nutrition. The team has understood how to optimally combine customer goals and real measurement data. The usability of the product is also impressive," says David Hug, Managing Director Ringier Digital Ventures, commenting on the investment.

"With its entrepreneurial spirit, strong network and great media cooperations, Ringier Digital Ventures is a great partner, especially in view of the upcoming market entry in Switzerland," said Philipp Schulte, CEO of Baze, in a statement about the investment by Ringier Digital Ventures. Baze will use the new capital to further develop the product and expand into other markets.