The fourth Zürcher KMU Innovationstag 2026 made it clear: Innovation flourishes where openness to new technologies and resources meets a strong corporate culture. At the event organized by the Division of Business and Economic Development on July 7, 220 participants took part in workshops to discuss how SMEs can successfully navigate change.
Innovation doesn’t start with the perfect idea, but with the first step. This was evident from the keynote presentations at this year’s Zürcher KMU Innovationstag. That is how Bruno Schefer began to implement inclusion at his medical logistics company, Cosanum, 15 years ago. That sparked a major change: “Today we have a different work culture—and that’s what makes us innovative and successful.”
A survey of the audience showed that Zurich’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are eager to tackle change: Hardly anyone described themselves as particularly optimistic or pessimistic, but almost everyone agreed with the statement, “We need to get to work.” Innovation Day is intended to provide inspiration for this: “Share ideas and launch new projects,” said Anita Martinecz Fehér, project manager for the Canton of Zurich’s Division of Business and Economic Development, in her welcome remarks.
AI: It’s the Mindset That Makes the Difference
Above all, successful innovation requires curiosity and the desire to improve things and take responsibility. Valérie Henzen of the “Digital Minds Society” emphasized this during the AI workshop: “It’s no longer about who uses AI, but who has the right mindset for it.” Prompting accounts for only a small part of the work. Rather, what is crucial is the judicious delegation of tasks and the critical review of the results.
Two real-world examples demonstrated just how quickly concrete applications can be implemented using AI: a website and a computer game were created within 15 minutes. Advice from AI experts: “Test one specific application per week.” Clear rules within the company would help introduce AI more quickly and in a more targeted manner.
Overcoming the Innovation Valley
For many innovations, however, weekly experimentation is not enough because they face a number of obstacles: Often, they lack time, venture capital, external expertise, testing infrastructure, or the right network. That is why the EuroTube Foundation supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction, energy, and infrastructure sectors by providing infrastructure, project partners, and consulting services. As Julian Ehwald of the foundation puts it: “Between basic research and industry lies the ‘valley of death in innovation.’”
When asked about innovations that had been shelved, the participants cited, among other things, failed grant applications, supply chain issues, and technical challenges. Julian Ehwald encouraged small and medium-sized enterprises: “In Switzerland, there are resources available at every stage—from research spin-offs through product development to market launch—that support innovation.”
Financial Support: From Microcredit to Succession Planning
“ahead” was created to ensure that support is provided not only for “major” technical innovations but also for in-house development. For the past year, the Startup and Innovation Center has brought together startup consulting, microloans, and innovation and project support for Zurich-based SMEs under one roof; it is funded by the city, the Canton of Zurich, and ZKB. “We’ve already conducted over 800 consultations,” said CEO Chantal Stäuble.
Another challenge in the long-term development of SMEs is finding a good succession plan. In the workshop on alternative financing options, Lukas Hotz of “generational” demonstrated how business succession can be successful even without a large amount of equity: “There are structures in which investors receive capital but no voting rights. This allows former employees, for example, to take over management of the company.”
The keynote presentation by employees of “Waldner Partner” demonstrated just how crucial ownership structures can be to a company’s success. Since 2020, this SME specializing in construction projects has been a cooperative without a CEO—and this innovation is paying off: “That’s one of the reasons we’re getting projects today.” At the same time, the changed structure has given rise to a new work culture.
Inspire Skilled Workers with a Positive Work Culture
Giovanni Crupi emphasized during the workshop on skilled workforce development that the importance of a good workplace culture in companies cannot be underestimated when it comes to developing and retaining skilled workers. As president of the “Swiss Engineering” association, the issue of gender equality is particularly close to his heart: “For me, this is a top priority.” Part-time work arrangements, for example, could help retain mothers—who are urgently needed given the shortage of skilled workers—in STEM professions.
The “Hirnpower at Work” workshop also made it clear that mental well-being is not just an “add-on,” but rather a mandatory health protection measure for companies. At the same time, however, it also serves as a catalyst for innovation. “Stress impairs our brain’s neuroplasticity,” explained neuroscientist Barbara Studer. Thus, companies that foster a sense of connection, purpose, autonomy, and humor would create better conditions for employee satisfaction—which in turn encourages curiosity and acts “like fertilizer for the brain.”
You can download the event program here: Program Overview: Zürcher KMU Innovationstag 2026
Workshop Presentations:
More presentations will follow.
Innovation doesn't start with the perfect idea, but with the first step. This was evident from the keynote presentations at this year's Zürcher KMU Innovationstag. That is how Bruno Schefer began to implement inclusion at his medical logistics company, Cosanum, 15 years ago. That sparked a major change: “Today we have a different work culture—and that’s what makes us innovative and successful.”
A survey of the audience showed that Zurich’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are eager to tackle change: Hardly anyone described themselves as particularly optimistic or pessimistic, but almost everyone agreed with the statement, “We need to get to work.” Innovation Day is intended to provide inspiration for this: “Share ideas and launch new projects,” said Anita Martinecz Fehér, project manager for the Canton of Zurich’s Division of Business and Economic Development, in her welcome remarks.
AI: It's the Mindset That Makes the Difference
Above all, successful innovation requires curiosity and the desire to improve things and take responsibility. Valérie Henzen of the “Digital Minds Society” emphasized this during the AI workshop: “It’s no longer about who uses AI, but who has the right mindset for it.” Prompting accounts for only a small part of the work. Rather, what is crucial is the judicious delegation of tasks and the critical review of the results.
Two real-world examples demonstrated just how quickly concrete applications can be implemented using AI: a website and a computer game were created within 15 minutes. Advice from AI experts: “Test one specific application per week.” Clear rules within the company would help introduce AI more quickly and in a more targeted manner.
Overcoming the Innovation Valley
For many innovations, however, weekly experimentation is not enough because they face a number of obstacles: Often, they lack time, venture capital, external expertise, testing infrastructure, or the right network. That is why the EuroTube Foundation supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction, energy, and infrastructure sectors by providing infrastructure, project partners, and consulting services. As Julian Ehwald of the foundation puts it: “Between basic research and industry lies the ‘valley of death in innovation.’”
When asked about innovations that had been shelved, the participants cited, among other things, failed grant applications, supply chain issues, and technical challenges. Julian Ehwald encouraged small and medium-sized enterprises: “In Switzerland, there are resources available at every stage—from research spin-offs through product development to market launch—that support innovation.”
Financial Support: From Microcredit to Succession Planning
"ahead" was created to ensure that support is provided not only for "major" technical innovations but also for in-house development. For the past year, the Startup and Innovation Center has brought together startup consulting, microloans, and innovation and project support for Zurich-based SMEs under one roof; it is funded by the city, the Canton of Zurich, and ZKB. "We've already conducted over 800 consultations," said CEO Chantal Stäuble.
Another challenge in the long-term development of SMEs is finding a good succession plan. In the workshop on alternative financing options, Lukas Hotz of “generational” demonstrated how business succession can be successful even without a large amount of equity: “There are structures in which investors receive capital but no voting rights. This allows former employees, for example, to take over management of the company.”
The keynote presentation by employees of “Waldner Partner” demonstrated just how crucial ownership structures can be to a company’s success. Since 2020, this SME specializing in construction projects has been a cooperative without a CEO—and this innovation is paying off: “That’s one of the reasons we’re getting projects today.” At the same time, the changed structure has given rise to a new work culture.
Inspire Skilled Workers with a Positive Work Culture
Giovanni Crupi emphasized during the workshop on skilled workforce development that the importance of a good workplace culture in companies cannot be underestimated when it comes to developing and retaining skilled workers. As president of the “Swiss Engineering” association, the issue of gender equality is particularly close to his heart: “For me, this is a top priority.” Part-time work arrangements, for example, could help retain mothers—who are urgently needed given the shortage of skilled workers—in STEM professions.
The “Hirnpower at Work” workshop also made it clear that mental well-being is not just an “add-on,” but rather a mandatory health protection measure for companies. At the same time, however, it also serves as a catalyst for innovation. "Stress impairs our brain's neuroplasticity," explained neuroscientist Barbara Studer. Thus, companies that foster a sense of connection, purpose, autonomy, and humor would create better conditions for employee satisfaction—which in turn encourages curiosity and acts “like fertilizer for the brain.”
You can download the event program here: Program Overview: Zürcher KMU Innovationstag 2026
Workshop Presentations:
More presentations will follow.
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