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Every project supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung is made accessible with a web presentation that informs about the core data of the project. With this public presentation, the foundation publishes the funding results achieved and contributes to the communication of science to society.

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Breez

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The project management is responsible for the content of the information provided.

Cooperation

This project, funded by Gebert Rüf Stiftung, is supported by the following project partners: HEIG-VD, Yverdon ; HES-SO, Renens ; ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai ; HEIA-FR, Fribourg.

Project data

  • Project no: GRS-020/19 
  • Amount of funding: CHF 150'000 
  • Approved: 14.01.2019 
  • Duration: 07.2019 - 12.2020 
  • Area of activity:  First Ventures, seit 2018

Project management

Project description

In summer 2018, during a stay in Asia as part of a week of innovation and competition, we witnessed the high levels of air pollution faced by the population. To protect their health, Asian people wear anti-pollution masks, which have become real fashion accessories over time. Following a market study we conducted on site, we found that a real opportunity exists for the development of a mask that is elegant, truly protective and offers a truly unique experience.
BREEZ was born in this context, with the aim to offer a trendy and fashionable anti-pollution mask named FULLY. It is composed of a high-quality filter structure with a valve to facilitate exhalation, and an interchangeable fabric design that can be (un)clicked onto this structure. The customer can thus match his mask to his outfit, his characteristics or even his mood of the moment.

What is special about the project?

Thanks to the support of Gebert Rüf Foundation, we were able to carry out this project into the practical field.
But in the meantime came COVID-19. So we decided to use our knowledge and skills to offer people a new way to protect themselves. In a few weeks, our LENNY barrier mask was born. Imagined, developed and produced in Switzerland, LENNY is equipped with a swiss antimicrobial technology (thanks to an innovative treatment based on silver biocide) and a water-repellent finish. A great way to protect yourself while having style.
What was important to us first was to offer Switzerland the opportunity to be present in China, a country with rapidly developing market opportunities with a product that was resolutely oriented towards well-being and health. By working alongside Hao, our Chinese colleague living in Shanghai, we have already had a foothold in Asia. Her knowledge of social networks is essential to us when it comes to getting in touch with our future customers.

Status/Results

In the middle of the project we faced COVID-19 and we decided chance our priorities and use our knowledge and skills to offer people a new way to protect themselves. In a few weeks, our LENNY barrier mask was born. Imagined, developed and produced in Switzerland, LENNY is equipped with a swiss antimicrobial technology (thanks to an innovative treatment based on silver biocide) and a water-repellent finish. A great way to protect yourself while having style.
Several field studies with different stakeholders and a market study in Asia were carried out during the master's work at HES-SO Master Innokick (September 18 - June 19). These steps validated the need and viability of the project.
FULLY, our anti-pollution mask, is currently under development. Our team is making prototypes based on the iterative design methodology to conduct the project and take the market share in a quicker and more feasible way. At the same time, we are working with several companies in Switzerland to find the best production techniques.
And LENNY, our antimicrobial mask, is already available on our e-shop. It was imagined, developed and produced in Switzerland.
Even if in less than 2 years the BREEZ project has evolved a lot (and that’s what makes it interesting), our main goal always stays the same : conjugate fashion and health.

Media

Links

Persons involved in the project

Carmen Grange, project leader, 079 948 02 37
Gaëlle Rey-Bellet, 079 450 50 25
Margot Reymond, 079 668 24 42
Hao Xu, 86 138 1650 2039

Last update to this project presentation  16.12.2020