InnoPark Switzerland
Factors that have contributed to Zurich's success as a business location are the favourable state conditions for companies, moderate taxes, a highly qualified local workforce, optimum rail, road and air transport connections and excellent infrastructure. The proximity to internationally renowned universities (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, the University of Zurich and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur) is a further advantage - a cluster of financial service, Life Sciences, and information and communications technology companies has developed in the Zurich area, profiting from local expertise.
InnoPark brings together inventors, companies, universities and experienced job-seeking professionals within the network to create a win-win situation.
InnoPark Switzerland and its partners provide a stimulating entrepreneurial environment for innovation (from the first flash of inspiration through to the fully developed product ready for the market) and aims at developing and optimising the business model and strategy.
In-depth work is done to prepare for the InnoPark Start-up Label, which marks the final milestone of the process. The InnoPark Start-up Label confirms readiness for sustainable growth.
InnoPark together with its partner gives credibility to the company, acts as door-opener for venture capital financing, and gives better access to various networks and programs.
InnoPark services are offered in the following locations in Switzerland. Due to the excellent local network we are part of the technology parks organisation and have access to the universities and the local companies.
GEOGRAPHY AND ECONOMY
Geographic and economic issues are some of the most important factors in the decision-making process for identifying a business location for an existing or new business venture.
A closer look at Switzerland's economic situation can provide you with critical information needed for evaluating the country as business site. Swiss companies operate in an economic environment that facilitates the conduct of business in the country and abroad. In addition, the Swiss government has created an investment climate that encourages foreign direct investment in the country.
WORKFORCE
A well-qualified workforce is a requirement for any successful business venture.
Switzerland's education system ranks among the best in the world and produces a well-qualified workforce at all levels. As a result of the high quality education system and the multicultural society, a large part of the population is fluent in multiple languages.
With respect to overall productivity, Switzerland ranks fifth among the world's leading national economies. The workforce is generally highly motivated and strikes are almost non-existent.
Although salaries seem relatively high, the overall labor costs are much lower than in competing countries. Ancillary labor costs and social security costs remain moderate.
R&D
Top university and research institutions sustain Switzerland's position as a leader in research and development.
Switzerland is a country with intensive research activities. It spends almost 3% of its GDP on R&D. All relevant indicators position Switzerland in the top ranks of international comparisons.
As a location for research, Switzerland employs more than 52,000 people, nearly 28,000 of them hold a university degree. This corresponds to 12 R&D employees per 1000 gainfully employed persons.
Of a total research expenditures, 70% are funded by the private sector. Of these funds, 74% are spent on experimental development and 26% on research.
Government funding is provided principally for basic research. The private sector and the scientific community work closely together. Each institute at the university and college level has a coordination office for cooperation with the private sector. The Innovation Promotion Agency KTI/CTI can make significant financial contributions to R&D projects in which companies cooperate with non-profit research organisations.
COOPERATION WITH THE EU
Scientific Community with Privileged Ties to EU Partners. Large research projects today require multi-country alliances. Swiss R&D entities have a keen interest in research cooperation with partners abroad, particularly from the EU.
Research and development cooperation with innovative foreign partners also allows smaller companies access to know-how from which they can benefit.
Bilateral Agreements with the EU create even more favourable conditions for scientific cooperation with sound provisions and procedures. The cooperation agreement between Switzerland and the European Union present a new basis for the participation of Switzerland to EU's framework programmes for research. Swiss researchers will now benefit from the same conditions as their partners from the previous and new EU countries.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES & CLUSTERS
A recent OECD study indicates that Switzerland ranks first among the industrialized nations in acquiring the new skills and technology necessary for the leading edge industries of the future.
These industries include:
- biotechnology/life sciences
- medical technology
- information and communications technologies (ICT)
- shared services
- microtechnology and nanotechnology and
- environmental technologies.
Switzerland is also the top-ranked country in the OECD for having the highest percentage of its student population coming from outside the country. As a result, worldwide talent is widely available in the country.
SERVICES
We accelerate the building of your company with a wide range of support services, flexible office space and a complete infrastructure, enabling you to focus on growing your business.
Additional Services:
Inno_1: At this stage, the business idea is evaluated according to some basic criteria:
- Is the business idea high-tech?
- Is it innovative?
- Is it realistic?
- Is it scaleable?
- Is it in scope?
If the project matches with the InnoPark Start-up scope, the case is accepted and the request is registered.
Inno_ 2: Professional experts (e.g. GGN-Associate START Business Incubator Zurich) evaluate the current business concept to prepare for coaching acceptance. The business strategy or model is further refined in order to submit a sustainable and competitive business model.
Experts evaluate:
- Market and technology
- Feasibility
- Management team
- Market acceptance
- Financial planning
Special consideration is given to whether resources exist and if so, whether they are available for assignment to the project. Weak points are identified and it is made sure that the key people (management team, coach, etc.) are aware of them and committed to solving the flaws.
Coaching acceptance is given by the Triage Team.
Inno_3: This phase primarily aims at developing and optimising the business model and strategy. In-depth work is done to prepare for the InnoPark Start-up Label, which marks the final milestone of the process. The InnoPark Start-up Label confirms readiness for sustainable growth and thereby gives credibility to the company, acts as door-opener for venture capital financing, and gives better access to various networks and programs.
InnoPark offers coaching in the following areas:
- Intensive professional coaching - Elaboration of a professional business plan
- Training - workshops (VentureLab / GGN-Associate START Business Incubator)
- Finance - Financial planning and investor relations
- IP evaluation and transfer - Efficient transfer of IP
- Technology expertise - Assessment of the technology through experts
- Business architecture - Design the path to market
- Value creation - Develop unique set of values for customers
- Sales accelerator - Remove bottlenecks in sales process.
Inno_4: The decision is done on a case by case.
Should a start-up team or a company require coaching, InnoPark may support the business still it is developing properly.
Coaching can include:
- Access to InnoPark network
- Contract negotiation
- Market access
- Quality and Environment Management System
- Sustainable Development and Eco Design
- Re- Engineering and Process Optimisation
- Management, corporate governance
- Project management
- etc.
LINKS TO MOST IMPORTANT WEBSITES OF THE REGION
One of our location is in Technopark Winterthur, where our main office is.
Same links out of the area of Winterthur
Investors:
Network:
- Stadtmarketing Winterthur
- TECHNOPARK® Luzern
- Club der Schweizer Technologieparks
- Zurich MedNet
- InnoBE
- swissteps
- Volkswirtschaftsdirektion des Kantons Zürich, Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit
- Die Gründungsplattform des Kantons Zürich