Technology

Science-Based Innovation: Increasing the Competitiveness of Swiss SMEs and Start-ups

Tackling global challenges requiring a multi-disciplinary solution Switzerland is strengthening its approach to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges with innovation, and in its pursuits the Swiss government builds on Innosuisse. Initiatives by companies like Quantum Integrity (helping to detect fake photos and videos quickly with its software), ClearSpace (tackling failed satellites and the…
A Look Inside the World’s Most Innovative Economy

The World Intellectual Property Organization analyzed 131 economies, and for the last ten years, Switzerland has ranked as the world’s most innovative country. The nation specializes in offering innovative solutions to complex global challenges, and has a unique ecosystem for business and investment opportunities. International corporations value Switzerland as an efficient, stable and productive location…
How a Swiss AI Lab is helping to solve a global challenge

A Viewpoint from Prof Dr Andrea Emilio Rizzoli from Istituto Dalle Molle di studi sull’intelligenza artificiale (IDSIA) USI-SUPSI How do you assess Switzerland’s higher education system? In the past years, Switzerland has consistently been ranked as one of the most innovative countries in the world. There are various reasons why this small country, nestled in…
Switzerland: An Ideal Location for Global Operations

Innovative Swiss solutions tackling global challenges Switzerland specializes in offering innovative solutions to complex global operating structures seeking an efficient, stable and productive location to grow their dynamic high value-added businesses. The country is well known for offering one of the most competitive ecosystems globally. The nation has a liberal economy, political stability, international integration,…
Neuchâtel: Home to the World’s Most Innovative Nanotechnologies

The Canton of Neuchâtel develops revolutionary microtechnology, microelectronics, photovoltaic and system engineering technologies Nestled within the Greater Geneva Berne Area lies the Canton Neuchâtel, a canton which makes up 2% of the Swiss population, yet generates 20% of Switzerland’s commercial surplus. Per capita it has grown to become the second-biggest exporter and the second-largest holder…
Geneva: The Global Capital of Peace Fostering a thriving business metropolis

For a city with a population under half a million, Geneva has more influence on the global stage than people would expect. Within the Greater Geneva Bern Area (GGBA), lies one of the world’s most iconic and globally-minded cities. Endearingly referred to as the “world’s smallest metropolis,” Geneva is the capital of peace, the cradle…
Swiss Climate Solutions

The challenge of modern environments The modern workplace has changed dramatically over the years. Oliver Zimmerman, CEO of Condair, highlighted that, “We are spending nearly 90% of our time within hermetically sealed artificial interiors that often are comparable to desert climates.” Our comfort within these indoor environments and the productivity of office employees largely relies…
St.GallenBodenseeArea: One of Switzerland’s Most Attractive Regions

Interview: Karin Jung, Head of the Department of Economics and Labor, Canton St.Gallen In eastern Switzerland, lies the St.GallenBodenseeArea (SGBA), an initiative of the cantons of St.Gallen, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Thurgau. SGBA is one of the largest and the most cost-efficient of the various economic areas of Switzerland, and rests between Munich and…
Canton Schwyz: The founding father of Swiss HealthTech

The Canton of Schwyz is one of the founding cantons and gave the entire nation its name. It has proven itself an autonomous industrial location resilient to economic pressures, and an active innovation hub. GDP growth in Schwyz exceeds the Swiss average and productivity is astonishingly high. Interview: Andreas Barraud, Head of the Department for Economic…
Knowledge Generates Value

Knowledge generates value, and it is the key to solving societal problems and overcoming global challenges. It is one of the most important resources in our society, and it will become even more important in the future. In everything that it does, the University of Bern feels its obligation to bring about benefits for science,…
Interview: Oliver Zimmermann, CEO, Condair

Condair Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of industrial and commercial humidification and evaporative cooling solutions. Its administrative head office and main R&D center are located in the Swiss Canton of Schwyz. What is your outlook for humidity solutions in the USA? Condair offers a complete technology portfolio for all industries, and promotes the benefits…
Switzerland is a Global Innovation and Technology Leader

Interview: Simone Wyss Fedele, CEO, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) An increasing number of American technology companies are setting up offices in Switzerland including well-known giants such as Google, Microsoft, eBay and Biogen. Simone Wyss Fedele, CEO of Switzerland’s official trade and investment promotion organization, explains why. What are the strengths of Switzerland as business…
A Coffee Giant Without Growing a Single Bean

Switzerland exported nearly $2.4 billion worth of coffee in 2018 Although no coffee trees are growing within Switzerland, the nation is one of the most significant trading places for green coffee and one of the world’s largest coffee processors. Switzerland is also one of the world’s largest green coffee importers and processors through high-tech manufacturing…
Canton of Grisons: Work where you love to live

Switzerland’s largest Canton offers much more than pristine nature, culturally enriching environments, and thrilling recreational opportunities for tourists. Suitable industrial land is increasingly scarce in Switzerland. With more than 3.2 million square feet of premium industrial zones priced nearly 25% lower than at alternative Swiss metropolitan areas, the Canton of Grisons provides one of the…
Boosting the Attractiveness of Grisons as a Base for Global Operations

Interview: Marcus Caduff, Head of the Department for Economic and Social Affairs, Canton of Grisons How do you assess the competitiveness Grisons as a base for global operations? We host the annual meeting of the WEF in Davos, and are famous for tourism in several hotspots such as St. Moritz, Laax oder Arosa-Lenzerheide. In business,…
Luxury Aviation

Privately owned and chartered aircraft arrive to Davos symbolizing a thriving sector With Richard Gaona at the helm, Comlux has transformed as a Swiss-based service provider in the fields of business aviation, transaction and completion services, into a diversified global operation continuing to rapidly expand. Gaona is committed to continuously setting new standards in the…
Switzerland Innovation, Connecting Great Minds

From proton therapy for deep-seated tumor irradiation, to minimally invasive robot-assisted computer-guided laser osteotome, and innovative cancer immunotherapy research, Switzerland Innovation is facilitating world-class collaborations for companies, startups and universities to come together under one roof and find innovative solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges. Switzerland Innovation is the epicenter of merging talent,…
Interview: Lars Van Der Haegen, CEO, Belimo

Belimo is the leading global manufacturer of innovative actuators, valves and sensor solutions to control heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. How do you assess Switzerland’s business ecosystem? Switzerland is an effective business location from an administration point of view. The business-friendly environment facilitates global networking and offers excellent access to the European market. An…
The Evolving Swiss Financial Services Sector

A new wave of financial institutions are transforming the field Previously notorious for offshore bank accounts, secret holdings and masked account holders, the Swiss financial services and banking sector has completely evolved, with transparency at the forefront. Switzerland now adheres to strict regulations, requiring institutions to disclose all assets held by American account holders. In…
IMD: leading the way in executive education

A conversation with Professor Jean-François Manzoni, President of IMD and Nestlé Chaired Professor January 23, 2020 Switzerland is a small but unique country that punches above its weight in many categories including business, education and innovation. One Swiss institution at the intersection of all three is the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the partner…
A Digital Backbone

January 23, 2020 Switzerland as a nation is known as a trailblazer, having accomplished many firsts across a variety of sectors, including telecommunications. Switzerland is the world’s largest investor in telecommunications infrastructure per capita, thanks to the nation’s leading telecommunications provider, Swisscom. Within the competitive telecommunications market, Swisscom has managed to retain its market…
Engineering Innovative Technologies

Interview: Roland Fischer, CEO, Oerlikon Oerlikon creates new innovative solutions to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges. With their engineering technology, they can give products improved and more desirable functions. These applications are specially designed for growth sectors, and utilized across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, energy, tooling and additive manufacturing. Is global digitization…
Interview: Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich

January 23, 2020 Founded in Geneva in 1895, Firmenich is the world’s largest privately-owned company in the perfume and taste business. It has designed many of the world’s best-known perfumes and tastes. The ingredients created by Firmenich are utilized by four billion consumers daily around the world. Firmenich invests 10% of its USD 3.7 billion…
Closing the innovation gap

Viewpoint: Marco Huwiler, Country Managing Director, Accenture Switzerland When the world economy catches a cold, Switzerland sneezes. Following weak global growth, Switzerland is feeling the sniffles, with stagnant GDP and a collapse in profitability in recent years. But there is wisdom in the old saying “starve a fever, feed a cold”. Companies with the courage…