The official recognition of the Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino as a site of the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich has now been confirmed. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the park’s development, further strengthening Ticino’s position as a vital player in Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem.
Following the formal acknowledgment by the Foundation Council of the national foundation Switzerland Innovation, the Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino Ltd. was established as a non-profit organization responsible for managing the park’s operations. This organization will drive the park’s activities and foster collaboration between businesses, startups, academic institutions, and research centers in Ticino. The establishment is the result of ongoing efforts by local government institutions and Fondazione Agire, the canton’s innovation agency. The park will be governed by a board composed of representatives from the canton of Tessin, the regional business community, and first-class research academic institutions, ensuring a broad-based approach to innovation and development.
The Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino I Site of Park Zurich will focus on three key competence centers:
Swiss Drone Competence Center – Located at Riviera Airport in Lodrino, this center will specialize in the development and testing of autonomous flight technologies, leveraging Ticino’s strengths in artificial intelligence, electrical engineering, and material sciences.
Life Sciences Competence Center – Situated in Bellinzona, this center will focus on biofabrication, with particular emphasis on animal-free drug testing and innovative applications in biotechnology.
Lifestyle Tech Competence Center – Based in Lugano, this center will explore the integration of new technologies in sectors such as fashion, food, wellness, and digital design, with a strong focus on digital transformation.
Thomas Gfeller, CEO of the Switzerland Innovation Foundation, said: "The key focus areas of Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino I Site of Park Zurich add new dimensions to Switzerland Innovation and expand our national expertise in emerging fields. The strong, broad-based support for Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino from local stakeholders speaks to the region's commitment, and this collective effort will drive significant innovations."
The management of the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich is pleased with the association to the Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino as this will strengthen ties with Ticino, particularly through the Greater Zurich Area and local universities, boosting innovation. Peter Bodmer, President of Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich Foundation, points out that it complements Zurich's portfolio in key innovation areas.
State Councillor Vitta and State Councillor Carobbio Guscetti emphasize this is a key project for the economic growth of Ticino, aimed at fostering research and development in collaboration with local universities. It will create spaces for innovative work, encourage knowledge exchange, and attract businesses and talent, helping Ticino become a more competitive and attractive region, offering high-value jobs.
About Switzerland Innovation:
Switzerland Innovation is a network of six innovation parks across 16 locations in Switzerland based on a joint initiative of public institutions, academia, and the private sector with a statutory mandate from the Swiss government. Switzerland Innovation forms an ecosystem that allows universities and innovative companies to collaborate and use their knowledge and research results for the development of new marketable products and services.
www.switzerland-innovation.com
Press Conference Photo on November 13th, 2024:
- Christian Vitta, President of the Cantonal Government and Director of the Department of Finance and Economics
- Marina Carobbio Guscetti, State Councillor and Director of the Department of Education, Culture, and Sport
- Luca Bolzani, President of the Agire Foundation
- Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, President of Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino SA
- Gianmaria Frapolli, Director of Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino SA