The most important sustainability award of the Swiss economy goes to the ZHAW start-up LEDCity. With its intelligent lighting system, the Zurich-based company convinced the jury around jury president and former Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard the most. The «Green Business Award» was presented as part of the Sustainable Switzerland Forum and recognizes companies that combine ecological innovations with business success.
The participants at the Sustainable Switzerland Forum eagerly awaited the decision of the jury for the «Green Business Award». ZHAW graduate Patrik Deuss, founder and CEO of LEDCity, had reason to celebrate. The energy company beat 27 competitors to win the «Green Business Award» worth 25'000 Swiss francs. Commenting on the jury's decision, jury president Doris Leuthard says: «LEDCity's solution convinced us because it shows how we can use technology and artificial intelligence to tackle the challenges in the energy industry.» Also in the final were Haelixa with its DNA marker for raw materials and namuk with its high-quality children's outdoor label. ETH professor in climate physics Reto Knutti presented the award on behalf of the 16-member jury, which also included Post CEO Roberto Cirillo or digital ethics expert Cornelia Diethelm.
The lighting of the future
«We are delighted to have won the "Green Business Award". Winning underlines our commitment to sustainable innovation and encourages us that we are on the right track with ourenergy-saving and at the same time quickly amortizable lighting system,» says Patrik Deuss, founder and CEO of LEDCity. LEDCity makes the illumination of commercial buildings more convenient and resource-saving, as the intelligent lighting system automatically adjusts the light to the actual light duration and intensity required. This is made possible by up to five sensors per lamp. These measure not only brightness and movement, but also humidity, temperature and CO₂, for example. Data is used for operational optimization and automation: For example, the data can be linked to security systems or used to target cleaning staff. LEDCity luminaires save an average of 90% energy compared to conventional fluorescent tubes and around 50% compared to new LED lighting systems with motion detectors. The young company's goal is to save the electricity consumption of a nuclear power plant by 2030 with their solution.
Idea for LED City arose during bachelor thesis
LEDCity AG was founded in 2017 by Patrik Deuss and Florian Gärtner. While studying to become an energy and environmental engineer at the ZHAW School of Engineering, Deuss recognized the high energy consumption in the lighting sector and the lack of innovation. He developed the first prototype of the intelligent lighting device in 2016 as part of his bachelor's thesis. He brought in Gärtner, an electrical engineer, and together they founded the start-up. Today, LEDCity employs around 45 people and is active in three countries (Germany, Spain, Switzerland). Customers include Zurich Airport, the Dolder Grand Hotel and the University of Zurich.
The most coveted sustainability award in the Swiss economy
The «Green Business Award» was presented for the fifth time this year. It honors the best solutions that combine ecological innovation with economic success. Among the winners in recent years are well-known companies such as Planted (2022) and Eberhard Bauunternehmungen (2020). «Change requires role models that others can look to for guidance and inspiration. We are proud to give visibility to these role models with the 'Green Business Award' and to honor their work,» says Cédric Habermacher, Director of "Green Business Switzerland". The selection process is carried out in a unique, multi-stage procedure, which makes the award the most coveted sustainability prize in the Swiss economy. The presenting partner of the «Green Business Award» is Swiss Post, and Mobiliar supports the award as a partner.
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