Revolutionizing Migraine Relief

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Elena Gross, Founder and CEO of Keto Swiss, located in Basel, Switzerland.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

MigraKet is a holistic migraine management medical food. It is the first of its kind and helps migraine sufferers by addressing a root cause of migraine. The product is made with high quality nutrients, including ketone bodies, crafted specifically to meet the nutritional needs of migraine sufferers. We sell MigraKet on our DTC site and will also soon be on Amazon. It is an over-the-counter medical food with no prescription needed. However, it should be taken under medical supervision.

Our customers are migraine sufferers. Migraine is the 2nd biggest cause of disability worldwide, and it's the #1 cause in women under 50. However, it's a condition that has been under-researched and overlooked for decades. Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of migraine sufferers who have a metabolic root cause to their condition.

Tell us about yourself

I am Dr. Elena Gross, a passionate neuroscientist, CEO & founder. Above all, I am a former chronic migraine sufferer. My personal struggle with migraine fueled my determination to improve the lives of millions across the world who are affected by this debilitating condition. Wanting to gain a comprehensive understanding of migraine pathophysiology and innovative management options, I pursued an MSc in Neuroscience at the esteemed University of Oxford, followed by a PhD in Clinical Research from the University of Basel in Switzerland.

I went on to found the Swiss life science startup, KetoSwiss, which focuses on the development of product that help manage or prevent neuro-psychiatric conditions with a metabolic component, beginning with migraine.

I have dedicated my life to finding better solutions. This led to several publications, patents, and the invention of MigraKet® - the world's first migraine medical food.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I strongly believe that my biggest accomplishment is changing our understanding of migraine. My work has been published in prestigious journals, including Nature Neurology Reviews, and I have filed three patents, one granted.

I see migraine as powerful warning signal from the body telling us that something is wrong, such that there is an energy deficit in the brain. Knowing this, and with the right tools to resolve the deficit, we can target the root cause of this painful condition rather than just the symptom: pain.

This led to the development of MigraKet®, one tool we can use to restore the brain's energy. This medical food is used to address the dietary management of migraine. Crafted with high-quality, bio-identical ingredients, MigraKet® supports optimal brain metabolism through clean, natural nutrition using clinically tested ingredients. We are about to launch MigraKet in the US, so hopefully, we can help many more migraine sufferers manage their migraine. I also try to be an advocate where possible, and I have finished writing a book on how to master migraines metabolically.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

I think the hardest part is all the responsibility. I consider myself a patient first, a scientist second and a business owner third. This comes with a lot of pressure, I am responsible for our product, which could improve the lives of millions, I am resposible for a great deal of investor funds, I am responsible to pay the salaries of our growing team and responsible for every business decision, including the hard decisions.
This hardest thing is equally also one of the best things: I have it in my hands to make the world a better place, one patient at a time.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Focus on what you are very passionate about. This will give you the strength to keep going when things get tough and trust me they will.
Focus on something that you are naturally good at. Everyone has talents, it does not matter where they lie, but this will give you the necessary advantage you need to become successful and you will probably also enjoy doing what you are good at.
Don't think there is one way to success, or you have to be a certain type to become a CEO. I have heard often that I am not aggressive enough as a CEO. I have a more "tend and befriend" attitude, and so far, this has also worked. It is ok to be you!