Swiss Innovation Park
The Swiss Innovation Park network helps Switzerland remain a leading innovation nation, thus securing its economically competitive position. With its six main sites and support from policymakers, researchers and private-sector stakeholders, the Swiss Innovation Park network offers an environment that is conducive to research and development. The federal government provides support to the Swiss Innovation Park network in a subsidiary capacity.
A robust network for innovation
The Swiss Innovation Park consists of a network of six main sites spread out across Switzerland: two at the ETHZ and EPFL and four others in Aargau, Biel, Northwestern Switzerland and Eastern Switzerland. Additional affiliated sites spur broad regional development of innovation activities. The Swiss Innovation Park network is designed to boost the innovative capacity of companies and institutions in Switzerland and at the same time encourage foreign stakeholders to pursue R&D activities here.
Federal support
The Swiss Innovation Park network is a joint public-private endeavour involving policymakers, researchers and the private sector. Individual sites receive funding from the cantons where they are located as well as from private investors. The aim is to increase investment in research and development and provide targeted support to complement existing support instruments.
The federal government backs the Swiss Innovation Park in two main ways. First, it provides guarantees for special-purpose loans, enabling the site operators to raise outside capital on favourable terms. Second, it leases federally owned land with construction rights to facilitate the expansion of the Swiss Innovation Park network. These measures complement the federal government's existing support instruments and help finance site infrastructure.
Sponsors
The Swiss Innovation Park sites are funded by cantons and private investors as part of a public-private partnership. The cantons and private investors cover construction and operating costs. The site operators generate income by leasing space and providing services, with the aim of becoming self-financing in the medium term.
Continued expansion
Expansion occurred in several stages: in 2014, the Federal Council approved an initial configuration with four sites in Zurich, Lausanne, Aargau and Northwestern Switzerland. The network was then expanded to include Biel in 2015 and Eastern Switzerland in 2021. This was then followed by two more sites in Central Switzerland and Ticino. The latter two are affiliated with the Zurich site. This continuous expansion strengthens the network and offers a growing environment for innovative companies and institutions.
Role of Switzerland Innovation foundation
The Switzerland Innovation foundation is responsible for the operational management and coordination of the Swiss Innovation Park network. It links up the various sites, positions the Swiss Innovation Park network in relation to comparable initiatives abroad and liaises with the federal government. Finally, it works with partners such as Switzerland Global Enterprise, Swissnex and Innosuisse to expand the Swiss Innovation Park network further, thus helping to drive innovation forward and develop the various sites.