World Stroke Day 2026: Our Summer, Our Mission & What Comes Next

29 October 2026
The Skaaltec team standing outside the ETH Zürich main building, holding the framed certificate recognising Skaaltec AG as an official ETH Zürich spin-off.

Today is World Stroke Day. Every year, around 12 million people worldwide have a stroke, and nearly 94 million people are living with its effects today [1]. In Europe and the US alone, more than 7 million stroke survivors still live with arm impairments, even after months of rehabilitation. For many, recovery plateaus, leaving them with lasting difficulty in everyday tasks like dressing, cooking, or holding a cup.

Our goal is to give stroke survivors a better recovery than they get today.

The Problem We Are Working On

That is the challenge we are tackling at Skaaltec with SmartVNS, a wearable that pairs non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation with movement during therapy. Short bursts of stimulation are delivered at the moment a patient performs a therapeutic movement, aiming to help the brain relearn faster.

The science behind this approach continues to grow. This year our clinical feasibility study was published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, and our neurophysiology study in The Journal of Neuroscience showed that pairing stimulation with movement selectively boosts the brain’s motor circuitry. Now we are moving fast to get SmartVNS in front of more patients and clinics.

Our Summer in Review

It has been a big few months for the team. Here are the highlights.

🎓 Officially an ETH Zürich Spin-off

Skaaltec is now officially recognised as an ETH Zürich spin-off, formalising our roots in the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory at ETH Zürich. The team gathered outside the ETH main building to receive the certificate (pictured above).

🥇 National Winner: James Dyson Award

SmartVNS was named the National Winner of the James Dyson Award, Switzerland’s top entry in the international design engineering competition.

James Dyson Award graphic announcing SmartVNS as National Winner.

🎤 European Healthcare Impact Summit

We joined the panel “The Next Frontier in Stroke Care: Therapeutics, Devices & Digital Innovation” at the 1st Annual European Healthcare Impact Summit, sharing how movement-paired neurostimulation could change what recovery looks like after stroke.

Paulius Viskaitis of Skaaltec AG speaking on a panel at the European Healthcare Impact Summit, seated at a conference table with microphones and name cards.

More From the Summer

  • 🏆 Finalists for the 38th Swiss Technology Award, one of Switzerland’s most established prizes for technology and innovation.
  • 🚀 Joined the HSG Accelerator, the University of St. Gallen’s programme supporting high-potential startups.
  • 🤝 Future of Health Grant Conference and Startfeld, connecting with funders, partners, and the wider Swiss health innovation ecosystem.
  • 📰 Featured in FOUNDED, in a piece titled “Ein Impuls im richtigen Moment” on how SmartVNS combines neurostimulation and smart technology for non-invasive stroke rehabilitation.

A Skaaltec team member in a branded T-shirt talking with visitors at the Skaaltec stand, next to a poster showing the SmartVNS wearable and a trial participant quote.

Building the Next Chapter

We are currently raising our pre-seed round, which is set to close in the coming months, and are in active discussions with strategic investors. If you are interested in supporting our mission or learning more, please get in touch.

Where to Find Us Next

We are heading to two major events in November and would love to meet you there:

  • SfN (Society for Neuroscience) 2026 — Washington, D.C., 14–18 November
  • MEDICA 2026 — Düsseldorf, 16–19 November

Reach out if you would like to set up a meeting at either event.

Thank You

A huge thank you to everyone backing us, and above all to the patients and therapists walking this path with us. Your time, feedback, and trust shape everything we build.

Want to follow along? Keep an eye on our news section for updates.

[1] World Stroke Organization, Impact of Stroke, based on Global Burden of Disease 2021 data.