Cyanoguard

Cyanoguard AG, a chemical technology company established in 2016, originated from research conducted at the University of Zurich. The company was founded by Benedikt Kirchgaessler, who serves as CEO, and Mathias Cherbuin, the CTO. Kirchgaessler's background is a blend of finance and science; after working in investment banking, his lifelong interest in chemistry led him to study the subject at the University of Zurich. There, he undertook a research project on a novel cyanide sensing compound, initially envisioning a social enterprise to prevent cyanide poisoning from cassava plants. A pivotal moment came when a mining company in Peru, dissatisfied with existing cyanide measurement technologies, approached him to develop a solution for monitoring and optimizing their cyanide use.

The company's core business is providing solutions for the safe and efficient monitoring of cyanide. Its primary market is the global gold mining industry, where its technology is used for industrial process control. By offering real-time, data-driven monitoring, Cyanoguard helps mining operators optimize cyanide consumption, which can reduce usage by 15-20%, lower operating costs, and improve gold recovery rates. The business model involves selling a comprehensive digital solution package that includes hardware and AI-based software. Beyond mining, the company has identified and is developing applications for its technology in food safety testing, healthcare, and water safety. For instance, it can be used to detect cyanide in food extracts and blood samples, with potential applications in diagnosing cyanide intoxication in smoke inhalation victims.

Cyanoguard's main offering is a digital platform for rapid toxin detection. A key feature is a sensor that changes color in the presence of cyanide, allowing both trained and untrained users to test liquid samples without handling hazardous substances. This user-friendly approach provides an advantage over traditional methods. The company has received significant financial backing, including a seed round of over CHF 3 million led by Wingman Ventures and a non-dilutive grant from the European Union's Horizon 2020 program. These funds were allocated to accelerate market penetration in the mining sector and further develop products for healthcare and food safety. It should be noted that public records from late 2023 and early 2024 indicate the company is in liquidation.

Keywords: cyanide monitoring, gold mining technology, chemical technology, toxin detection, process optimization, industrial process control, environmental monitoring, water safety, food safety testing, healthcare diagnostics, Benedikt Kirchgaessler, University of Zurich spin-off, real-time monitoring, digital detection, AI-based analytics, mining efficiency, precious metal recovery, toxic reagent reduction, chemtech, environmental footprint reduction