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About

Our Story

Created in 2012 as a School Programme, we became a Centre in 2018 and have constantly grown and innovated since. With a small but committed and highly trained team, we are continuing our mission with passion and energy. This is emphasised by the support of well-known partners, being academic, NGOs or strongly convinced donors.

Our story

Innovating Since 2012

2012

  • Launch of EssentialTech as a school-wide program 
  • Launch of Sustainable Development Division

2016

  • Launch of Humanitarian Division

2017

  • EPFL Master Course Development Engineering
  • MOOC Technology Innovation for sustainable development
  • MOOC Public health engineering in humanitarian contexts

2018

  • EssentialTech becomes an EPFL Center
  • Spin-off GlobalDiagnostiX – Pristem SA
  • Tech transfer of Agilis – ICRC Rehab’Impulse

2020

  • Launch of PeaceTech Division
  • Spin-off HelloMask – HM Care

2022

  • EssentialTech celebrate its 10th Anniversary
  • Tech Transfer SmartPPE – Ebola MSF
Our team

The People Behind Our Center

Meet our dedicated and passionate team that works tirelessly to address vulnerabilities and improve conditions for both people and the planet.

Meet the team

Would you like to

‍join us?

Check our Job page to find out about current opportunities or contact us.
Latest news

What’s new
at the Center

Browse all our content on a variety of topics including the environment, health, education, research, innovation and much more. Find out about news and events related to our Center.

All news
Blog type

AGILIS prosthetic foot field trial

AGILIS - our prosthetic foot developped with ICRC - is now tested in the field
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Blog type

GlobalNeoNat: Innovating to Save Newborn Lives in Low-Resource Settings - A significant progress

Discover the latest progress in our GlobalNeoNat project, designed to reduce neonatal mortality in vulnerable regions with an affordable, energy-efficient incubator tailored for resource-limited settings.
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Blog type

GlobaldiagnostiX - the 1000th patient diagnosed

GlobaldiagnostiX - developped at the Centre and now deployed by our start-up Pristem through the OpendiagnostiX South-Africa - has a major impact with more and more patient diagnosed.
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