20 years of innovation: grow cluster celebrates anniversary

"You have been doing a lot of good for 20 years," emphasized Government Councillor Carmen Walker Späh in front of around 70 invited guests at grow's anniversary celebration on 23 October 2024 at the Schloss Au conference center. In her speech, the Director of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich emphasized the continuous growth of grow. Founded in 2004 in Wädenswil, grow has developed from a small start-up center into a renowned life sciences cluster with 19 companies and around 210 employees. "Innovation is the key to tomorrow's success," she explained, pointing out that four of grow's member companies are among the top 100 start-ups in Switzerland.

A look back at the beginnings

At the start of the festive event, Matthias Kaiserswerth, President of the Board of Trustees, and Heiner Treichler, member of the grow management team, talked about the early years. They reported on how the first idea for a start-up center was born in 2002 in collaboration with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Wädenswil. Two years later, on May 26, 2004, the grow foundation was officially established - with the clear aim of promoting young companies in the Zimmerberg-Sihl Valley region.

In the years that followed, the life sciences sector - from medical products to food and environmental solutions - gradually developed into a focal point and is now the company's mainstay. Today, the number of locations has grown to five, and the available space has increased tenfold. "We gave ourselves a facelift for our 20th anniversary," said Foundation Board President Kaiserswerth. The former founding organization now operates as the "grow cluster", still supported by the grow foundation. "This means we are ideally equipped for the challenges of the next ten years," says Kaiserswerth.

Success through strong partnerships

Close cooperation with numerous partners is a key factor in the success of grow cluster. During a panel discussion, it became clear how many players from the region contribute to its success. In addition to the property owners, who provide customized laboratories and office space, the city of Wädenswil and the municipality of Horgen as well as the Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and the ZHAW are committed to grow. Jürg Bühlmann, Head of Corporate Clients at ZKB, emphasized the role of the bank: "It is our task to strengthen innovation in the canton of Zurich."

The ZHAW, in turn, is an important contact point for professional exchange, with access to specialized equipment and qualified employees. "Our graduates can find their first job directly across the street, so to speak," emphasized Urs Hilber, Director of the Department of Life Sciences and Facility Management in Wädenswil.

Dominique Sirena, co-founder of GlycoEra AG, and entrepreneur Michael Wacker, reported on their successful collaboration with the ZHAW. Wacker described how he was able to build up his biotech company GlycoVaxyn thanks to the support of grow and thus lay the foundation for his later success. In 2015, the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline acquired the vaccine technology developed by GlycoVaxyn. Today, Wacker himself invests in up-and-coming companies as a General Partner at Biomed Partners VC. "Funding is crucial for success," he emphasized, adding that it is up to politicians to create the right framework conditions.

Regional economy benefits from life sciences companies

Philipp Kutter, Mayor of Wädenswil and Vice President of the grow foundation, explained how the establishment of the young life sciences companies had gradually changed the region, which was characterized by traditional trade, and brought new momentum to the economy. The former commercial properties were renovated by local tradesmen and now offer space for innovative companies.

Dolf van Loon, Managing Director of grow cluster, summarized: "We are now in a position to support companies in every phase of development and keep them in the region in the long term." This is an important step for the sustainable development of the business location.

Outlook for the future