FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Switzerland Innovation is a nationwide network of innovation parks that connects companies, startups, SMEs, and research institutions with leading Swiss universities and research centers. The network supports the development of market-ready products, technologies, and services through research and development collaboration in Switzerland.

Switzerland Innovation is supported by the Switzerland Innovation Foundation, a public-private partnership established in 2016 with a statutory mandate from the Swiss federal government.

The foundation is responsible for the strategic positioning, coordination, and quality standards of the nationwide Switzerland Innovation Parks network. Its core funding is provided by the Swiss federal government through the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

More information about the organization and governance structure can be found on our website.

The Switzerland Innovation Foundation promotes and positions the Switzerland Innovation Parks network nationally and internationally. It coordinates the innovation parks, ensures consistent quality standards across the network, and strengthens collaboration with the Swiss federal government, research institutions, and industry partners.

The website provides key metrics on jobs, resident companies and organizations, countries of origin, research and academic partners, as well as total floor space for laboratories, cleanrooms, offices, coworking, and event areas.

Switzerland is one of the world’s leading locations for research and development due to its strong combination of world-class universities, highly specialized industry clusters, a high level of innovation, and a stable, reliable regulatory environment.

For technology-driven companies, this translates into easy access to leading research partners, highly qualified talent, and an ecosystem that supports the efficient development and commercialization of new technologies.

More information about Switzerland as an innovation location can be found on our website.

Switzerland Innovation promotes private-sector research and development investment in Switzerland and supports collaboration between academia and industry. The network contributes to creating high-quality jobs, advancing innovation, and strengthening Switzerland’s international position as a leading hub for research, technology, and innovation.

Switzerland Innovation is embedded in strong regional and cantonal ecosystems across Switzerland. In addition to the Switzerland Innovation Parks, cantonal economic development agencies and local partners play an important complementary role.

They may support companies with topics such as business relocation, access to local networks, regulatory and administrative guidance, and additional location-related services. This collaboration is particularly valuable for international companies, as it helps align technological development with regional opportunities and requirements.

Yes. Depending on the canton or region, companies may benefit from additional support services such as location consulting, funding instruments, innovation incentives, networking opportunities, and other business-related assistance programs.

These offerings are managed by the respective cantonal or regional authorities and are not centrally defined by Switzerland Innovation. As a result, available support can vary by location and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Further details on regional opportunities can be found on our website or via the relevant cantonal economic development agencies.

Switzerland Innovation is a nationwide network with 16 locations across Switzerland. Its main innovation parks include Basel Area, Biel/Bienne, Innovaare, Ost, West EPFL, and Zurich, each with their own sites and areas of specialization.

A detailed overview of the innovation parks, research topics, infrastructure, and services available at each location can be found on our website.

Our website allows visitors to filter innovation parks and partners by research topic, industry focus, infrastructure, services, funding opportunities, and location. This helps companies, startups, and research organizations identify the most suitable “Places and Partners” for their innovation and R&D needs.

Yes. Each Switzerland Innovation Park — and in some cases individual sites — has its own areas of expertise, thematic focus, industry networks, and research infrastructure.

The most suitable location depends on your research and development goals, technology focus, infrastructure requirements, and preferred collaboration environment. Detailed profiles of each innovation park can be found on our website.

Switzerland Innovation Parks connect technology-driven companies with leading scientific institutions, specialized infrastructure, and a strong innovation ecosystem.

Depending on the location, companies gain access to laboratories, testing and prototyping environments, engineering expertise, industry communities, and collaboration partners. This makes the parks particularly attractive for companies looking to validate, develop, scale, or industrialize new technologies in close cooperation with research partners.

Switzerland Innovation provides access to leading Swiss universities and research institutions such as ETH Zurich, EPFL, Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, and EMPA, as well as strong industry clusters in areas including life sciences, robotics, advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, and space technologies. The network also offers specialized infrastructure and innovation services, including laboratories, cleanrooms, co-working spaces, prototyping facilities, testing environments, engineering support, and startup incubation and acceleration programs.

Switzerland Innovation supports research and development across a wide range of industries and technologies, including Advanced Manufacturing & Materials, Building & Construction, Energy, Life Sciences, Mobility, Photonics & Quantum, and Space & Aviation as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a dominant cross-cutting topic. The specific areas of expertise vary by park and location.

Depending on the Switzerland Innovation Park and location, available infrastructure includes conference and event spaces, co-working areas, offices, and specialized technical facilities such as biotech and chemistry labs, cleanrooms, dry labs, workshops, mechanical labs, and outdoor testing areas.

Detailed information about the available infrastructure and facilities at each location can be found on our website.

Yes. In addition to infrastructure, Switzerland Innovation offers a range of support services including community management, knowledge and technology transfer, engineering support, prototyping, incubation and acceleration programs, and other technology-related services.

The available services vary by innovation park and can be explored in more detail on our website.

Switzerland Innovation connects academia and industry by creating environments where companies, startups, and research institutions can collaborate on applied research and development projects.

The Switzerland Innovation Parks include dedicated teams for knowledge and technology transfer as well as community management, which actively support partnerships, networking, and innovation collaboration across industries and technologies.

Switzerland Innovation gives companies access to Switzerland’s leading innovation ecosystem, including collaboration opportunities with universities and research institutions, specialized infrastructure, technology platforms, industry networks, and innovation communities.

The goal is to help companies accelerate research and development, foster innovation partnerships, and bring market-ready products and technologies to market faster.

Switzerland Innovation works with international and Swiss companies, startups, SMEs, research institutions, and academic partners looking to advance applied research and development projects. Collaboration opportunities vary by innovation park and industry focus.

Startups benefit from access to research expertise, innovation infrastructure, industry partners, and collaborative innovation communities across Switzerland. Depending on the location, startups may also access incubation and acceleration programs, prototyping facilities, project funding opportunities, and networking with investors and corporate partners.

Switzerland Innovation works with a broad network of national and international partners, including universities, research institutions, companies, industry organizations, and global innovation partners.

A good starting point is to use the search and filter functions on our website to explore relevant research topics, services, infrastructure, industries, and locations across the Switzerland Innovation network.

You can then contact either the central office or the relevant Switzerland Innovation Park directly to discuss potential collaboration opportunities and suitable partners.

Switzerland Innovation primarily focuses on activities related to research and development. However, in connection with R&D operations, it may be suitable for international companies to also manage selected business development, partnership activities, or complementary commercial functions from Switzerland.

Whether this is appropriate depends on the specific innovation park, intended use, and available space.

Yes. Switzerland Innovation actively supports international companies seeking to establish or expand R&D investments in Switzerland. The network helps companies connect with Swiss universities, research infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and local industry partners.

No. Switzerland Innovation supports companies of all sizes — from startups and SMEs to global corporations. Depending on the innovation park, organizations can access collaboration opportunities, testing facilities, incubation programs, technical infrastructure, and scaling support.

Yes. Switzerland Innovation showcases a wide range of success stories, collaborations, and innovation projects from across the network. These include developments in areas such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, energy, space technologies, and the circular economy.

The examples demonstrate how companies, startups, researchers, and industry partners work together within the Switzerland Innovation ecosystem to develop market-ready solutions. More success stories and news can be found on our website.

You can contact Switzerland Innovation through our central office:

Switzerland Innovation
Zieglerstrasse 29
3007 Bern
Switzerland