Ecosystem Actors

At the Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology (ICBT), we operate at the interface of chemistry, biology and technology, providing answers to the challenges of our time, such as climate change, scarcity of raw materials and good healthcare.

We see ourselves as an innovation driver in the pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical and environmental industries. Many years of experience and professional expertise are combined in our institute in a depth and completeness that are unique nationally. We are active across the entire spectrum, from molecules to organisms to sustainable production processes on a technical scale. We work on the following focal points in various specialist departments.

Sustainable Solutions
We design and optimize biotechnological, biocatalytical and chemical production processes, plants and procedures holistically, i.e. taking into account material cycles, ecological and economic factors. We apply these to products from the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, incorporating automation and digitalization.

Pharma Innovation
We develop novel therapeutics based on small molecules, peptides, recombinant proteins or cells. We cover the workflow from drug discovery and pharmacology to galenics and from cloning to formulation. We are developing new ways to create tissue models for drug testing, disease diagnostics, and next-generation therapies.

Detection and Diagnostics
We apply and further develop instrumental-analytical and bioanalytical methods and technologies. We use these in the environmental and food sector or online for process monitoring in the life sciences. With new methods in laboratory diagnostics, we contribute to safe and efficient healthcare.

Smart Materials
We create nanostructured and functional materials with specific properties. We apply these in various areas of the life sciences, from filtration to tissue culture.

Nutritional behavior research focuses on the study of the nutritional needs of different population groups and development of target group-specific food and nutrition concepts, taking into account the entire value chain. Areas of Focus: Nutrition surveys and epidemiology / composition and nutritional profiles of foods / nutritional concepts / public health nutrition.

The Robotics and Perception Group is part of the Department of Informatics, at the University of Zurich, and the Department of Neuroinformatics, which is a joint institute of both the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich.

Our mission is to research the fundamental challenges of robotics and computer vision that will benefit all of humanity. Our key interest is to develop autonomous machines that can navigate all by themselves using only onboard cameras and computation, without relying on external infrastructure, such as GPS or position tracking systems, nor off-board computing. Our interests encompass predonimantly micro drones because they are more challenging and offer more research opportunities than ground robots.

Functional cultures help reduce additives in foods and enable the development of novel foods from byproduct streams.
Areas of focus: Cocoa bean fermentation / Sourdough and grain-based fermentations / Antimicrobial metabolites.

RobotX brings together and develop the strong competences of ETH in Robotics through a research and educational platform located in the heart of Zurich to train new talent, attract worldwide experts, and to sustainably grow ETH into the world-leading institute in this field.

Scientific investigation and practical implementation in food businesses on the topics:

• Food law (Switzerland and EU), incl. Wädenswil Food Law Conference (www.zhaw.ch/lebensmittelrecht-tagung) and CAS Food Law (www.zhaw.ch/cas-lebensmittelrecht)
• Quality management and food safety. Self-control concepts according to food legislation (incl. the elements of good hygiene and manufacturing practice GHP, HACCP, traceability); QM systems and certifications in food companies (e.g. FSSC 22000, BRC, IFS); continuous improvement. Wädenswil Food Law Conference / Continuing education and in-house training.

Strong focus on further training (see https://www.zhaw.ch/de/lsfm/institute-zentren/ilgi/qm-und-lebensmittelrecht/weiterbildung/ ) and R&D (mainly food law evaluations and expert opinions, see https://www.zhaw.ch/de/lsfm/institute-zentren/ilgi/qm-und-lebensmittelrecht/forschung-und-dienstleistung/lebensmittelrechtliche-beurteilungen-und-beratungen / )

Future Finance Institute Switzerland is an independent Swiss academic institution focusing on exclusive digital further education for financial professionals. Its goal is maximum practical relevance and topicality, combining finance & technology. The faculties consist of an unparalleled & novel mix of seasoned lecturers who are experienced Swiss banking and insurance professionals, cutting edge technologists as well as FinTech entrepreneurs.

All FFI programs are designed in Switzerland for a global, English-speaking audience of finance professionals.

Development, implementation and establishment of sustainable food manufacturing processes. Focuses: sustainable food value chains / improved nutritional profile.

The Department of Computational Linguistics researches and teaches in the fields of computational linguistics, language technology, phonetics and speech signal processing, and digital linguistics.

Tracking down ingredients: occurrence, effect and significance of ingredients for the composition of foods as well as investigation of their possible applications for cosmetics. Main focus: Aroma analysis / analysis & extraction of non-volatile food ingredients / cosmetics & personal care.

The Robotic Systems Lab (RSL) develops machines and their intelligence, enabling them to operate autonomously in rough and challenging environments. With a focus on robots with arms and legs (e.g., quadrupedal robots, mobile manipulators, hybrid wheel–leg systems), the lab’s research subjects include novel actuation methods for advanced dynamic interaction, innovative designs for increased system mobility and versatility, and new control, optimization and learning algorithms for locomotion and manipulation.

Integrative on all levels. We are devoted to patient care, research and teaching. Our research has a focus on digital health for mind and body. We address research questions from different phases of the research cycle from translational research to implementation research and conduct clinical trials and systematic reviews. We use a broad spectrum of quantitative research methods and mixed methods and involve patients in a participatory research approach.

Systematic recording of sensory characteristics of foods along the value chain and identification of corresponding consumer needs.

As ETH Zurich’s central hub for artificial intelligence, we bring together researchers of AI foundations, applications, and implications across all departments. We foster research excellence, industry innovation, and AI entrepreneurship to promote trustworthy, accessible, and inclusive AI systems.

Development and monitoring of products and processes with the aim of extracting and preserving value-determining ingredients.

The BRIDGE Lab is a structural vessel funded by the University of Zurich under the umbrella of the Digitalisation Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions (DIZH). The lab offers a collaborative platform to promote research and innovation across sectors and cultures. In particular, it connects universities with industries, governments, and organisations around the conditions of successful implementation of digital innovations in Switzerland and beyond. In doing so, we strive to smoothen the path to prepare the society towards better acceptance of, and adaptation to, emerging technologies of high public interest as well as its related services and infrastructure. More info can be found on the project website and LinkedIn.

The Center for Sustainable Future Mobility (CSFM) will serve societal needs by addressing the grand challenges of the transport sector. The mission of the center is to deliver research-​based contributions to the design and implementation of sustainable transport systems which will be safe, reliable, fast, socially desirable, environmentally friendly, and cost efficient.

The ZHAW Digital Health Lab brings together experts from the fields of biomedicine, health, technology, and business, who together create innovations for digitalisation in the healthcare sector. As a competence network, we work with our partners to develop solutions to current challenges in the healthcare sector. In doing so, we exploit the potential of our interdisciplinarity. We focus on results-oriented cooperations with our network and are valued as a competent partner.

Detection and reduction of pathogenic bacteria in food. Focus areas: Reduction of pathogenic microorganisms and spoilage germs in food / challenge tests / bacteriophages / detection of microbial contamination

The Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab is a cross-disciplinary research program on the global phenomenon of innovation in the financial industry induced by “Financial Technology” (FinTech).

It involves researchers from banking and finance, business informatics, innovation management, strategic management, marketing, social sciences, economics, and many other disciplines. The lab`s goal is to conduct research on the topic of digitisation in the financial services industry together with participants from the whole value chain, including banks, insurers, providers, regulators, and various other organizations and associations from the FinTech ecosystem.

Hosted at the Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Zurich, the Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab cooperates with a broad international network of universities like for example ETH Zurich, University of St. Gallen, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, University of Hong Kong, Singapore Management University, and many others.

At the Institute for Facility Management (IFM), we are committed to sustainable real estate, intelligent building systems, healthy workplaces and innovative service offerings.
We make successful real estate and facility management possible. Our specialists design sustainable infrastructures and processes, are committed to innovation and always keep the users in mind. In this way, we support the main activities of companies and public administrations, taking into account economic, ecological and social aspects. In the context of increasing digitalisation, we are also active in research with a focus on the needs of practice.

An interdisciplinary team led by Prof. Michael Krauthammer that is affiliated with the University Hospital of Zurich and the Department of Quantitative Biomedicine at the University of Zurich. We are working on biomedical informatics projects and machine learning research in healthcare.

The Competence Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering and Science (RESC) at ETH Zurich is a nexus of expertise from academia, hospitals, industry, government, healthcare, and disability organisations. We establish a holistic rehabilitation approach to better meet the needs of patients and people with physical disabilities by facilitating research and transfer, fostering an interdisciplinary network, and raising awareness along the continuum-of-care.

Digitization has technical (“Can we do that?”) and economic (“Do we want that?”), but also ethical (“Should we?”) and legal (“May we?”) aspects. Of course, this also applies to innovations in the financial sector. Economists, technicians and lawyers are therefore needed to assess these. These must talk to each other, but above all understand each other and think together.

The Center for Augmented Computational Design in Architecture, Engineering and Construction, more commonly referred to as ‘Design++’, aims to develop digitally augmented design tools and computational processes that will enable experts to simultaneously increase construction productivity, improve the quality of the built environment, and substantially reduce the ecological impact within Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). Design++ integrates artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on machine learning (ML) and extended reality (XR) for design and engineering as they hold great promise to revolutionise design processes in the AEC industry.

Application-oriented research and development in the interdisciplinary field of mechatronics and automation.
Fields of expertise: Industrial Automation, Life Sciences, Robotics, Smart Farming, Medical Engineering

Our research focus is at the intersection of information visualisation, visual analytics, human-computer interaction, and machine learning. Our projects take a human-centred approach to data science to promote human engagement in the data analysis process with interactive visual interfaces. Our research looks at combining the strengths of humans and machines in an iterative and incremental data analysis process to address the remaining challenges of data science.

At the Institute for Computational Life Sciences (ICLS), we see ourselves as mediators between basic research and practical applications in business and society.
We create solutions in the field of Data Science and Computation for the Life Sciences. In the field of bioinformatics, we operate at the interface of biology, medicine and computer science. With cognitive computing, we offer new solutions in the life sciences based on the fundamental understanding of man and machine as an overall learning system. However, we also research and work on digital transformation in “Computational Health” and “Digital Labs & Processes” – always with a focus on the benefits for people and organizations.

The LOOP Zurich is a medical centre for translational research and precision medicine. It focuses on new approaches, better diagnostics, and novel therapies for the benefit of patients and society. The goal is the efficient transfer of scientific findings into medical application for personalised healthcare.

The six founding institutions of The LOOP Zurich are the University of Zurich (UZH), the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), and the following university hospitals: Zurich University Hospital (USZ), Zurich University Children’s Hospital (KiSpi), Balgrist University Hospital, and Zurich Psychiatric University Hospital (PUK).

The ZHAW Centre for Artificial Intelligence (CAI) is a center for excellence in applied AI research and application. Our mission is to advance human-centered and trustworthy AI research in Switzerland, providing students with career opportunities in the AI sector, attracting young talent and tackling the grand challenges of our time through the innovative use of AI. We believe in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and dialog with the research community, with our students and with our industry partners. The CAI focuses on machine learning and deep learning in the following areas: Computer vision, perception and cognition (this includes pattern recognition, machine perception and neuromorphic engineering); natural language processing (i.e. dialog systems, text analytics and spoken language technologies); autonomous learning systems (reinforcement learning, multi-agent systems and physical AI); trustworthy AI (explainable AI, robust deep learning, AI & society); and AI engineering (MLOps, data-centric AI and continuous learning)

Developing innovative and sustainable packaging materials and processes for high-quality and safe food. Focus areas: Innovative packaging materials / development and optimization of food packaging processes / biopackaging / shelf life simulation.

The Wyss Zurich Translational Center – or Wyss Zurich for short – is a joint accelerator of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), established through a generous donation by Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. h.c. mult. Hansjörg Wyss. It was founded to promote translational research focused on the development of treatment protocols and clinical therapies as well as novel technologies and intelligent systems in the emerging fields of regenerative medicine, robotics and their hybrid technologies. Wyss Zurich brings together world-leading experts from both institutions in multidisciplinary teams that combine their knowledge and experience. For more information, please visit www.wysszurich.ch.

In the large topic area of “Food”, one of the questions that concerns us is how – in view of the limited resources of our planet – we can succeed in feeding future generations in a sustainable and regenerative way. At the new “Future of Food” campus in Wädenswil near Zurich, we are committed to a future in which sustainable, enjoyable and healthy nutrition is possible for everyone. “Regenerative Food for Planetary Health”. Our holistic approach “We understand food” guides our institute. We observe all developments in society, the economy, technology and nature that are relevant to food. Our teaching, research, training and services focus on “managing the making of better food and beverages” – in close cooperation with companies, institutions and authorities. The institute’s focus is thus on the application-oriented control and optimization of manufacturing processes. The aim is to provide products and solutions that optimally satisfy people’s nutritional needs. Our mission is “better” food and beverages that are enjoyable, healthy, safe and sustainable from raw material to consumer. Researchers, employees and students work together with us on solutions to meet the challenges of climate change, the growing world population and the limited natural resources of our planet.

The Data Science for Sciences team researches at the frontier of machine learning, computer vision, and remote sensing to solve scientific questions in the environmental and earth sciences. Our goal is to develop original, data-driven methods to automatically analyse environmental data at very large scales. We work closely with our colleagues in ecology to jointly find new ways to protect our environment on a global scale using artificial intelligence. Scientific projects include global mapping of vegetation parameters such as tree canopy height and carbon stock with very high spatial and temporal resolution, monitoring agricultural land, predicting water levels in flooding scenarios or setting up a rapid alert system to detect forest degradation. On the technical side, we are investigating exciting topics such as quantifying uncertainties in deep learning, explainable artificial intelligence, graphical neural networks, and time series analysis with transformers. We believe that interdisciplinary research is the key to scientific breakthroughs and we always strive to put our research into practice by collaborating with NGOs, companies, and public administration.

The RobotHub is a virtual organisation of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences that highlights initiatives on the topic of robotics across departments, coordinates projects and channels enquiries.

The Institute for Sustainable Development (INE) looks at technological, economic and social changes and their complex interactions from a sustainable perspective. In applied research, we identify future requirements for technologies and their sustainable linkage in systems. We focus on the topics of “Sustainable Energy Systems”, “Sustainable Supply Chain and Mobility” and “Risk Management and Technology Assessment”.

The Z-Kubator, as part of the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies (ZCCE), promotes the development of independent artists, cultural producers and designers at Zurich University of the Arts by mixing aesthetic ideas with entrepreneurial practices.

At the ICP, a team of physicists, mathematicians and engineers works on applying methods and results from basic research to problem areas in industry.

For over 20 years, the ICP has been developing multiphysics computer models on the basis of finite element methods, which can be used, for example, to simulate crowd flows at large events such as the Street Parade or research the stability of ultra-thin solar cells. Furthermore, the ICP operates a laboratory for optoelectronics (OLAB) to develop optoelectronic materials and new optical measurement methods.

Together with partners from the worlds of research and industry, the ICP works on solutions for concrete problems, such as as how coatings can be measured contact-free and how aging processes in fuel cells can be halted.

«We are the specialists in computer simulation. The close collaboration with our partners results in convincing simulation results that generate customer value.»

At the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), we are committed to the sustainable use of natural resources and the preservation of an intact environment.
Our research is oriented towards the interfaces between society, environment and technology. For us, society is the linchpin for issues relating to the environment and sustainability. We regard the environment as a habitat, a field of action and a mirror of society. For us, technology is an instrument of people and an important factor influencing the environment. We inspire and empower sustainable use of natural resources, teach and research with commitment – networked, digital, implementation-oriented – and provide answers to global challenges.

The UZH Innovation Hub is the platform for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Zurich. The Hub bundles and nurtures UZH’s ecosystem of ambitious innovation and entrepreneurship supporting stakeholders, including people, university entities, programs and initiatives across UZH’s 7 faculties.  It servs as a connector to bridge students, researchers and external partners. Visit the Innovation Hub’s website if you want to know more about how to engage with innovation activities at the University of Zurich!

Computer science is driving digitalization and is having a major impact on the future of our information society. The Institute of Information Technology (InIT) stands for research and development in a wide range of areas of information technology and develops practical solutions for challenging problems in cooperation with company and university partners. With around 90 employees from various departments and our modern research infrastructure, we have been your flexible and efficient partner since 2005.

Our focus is on applied research and development in electronics. In the fields of microelectronics, embedded systems, sensor technology, actuator technology and electronics development, we push the boundaries for our customers in terms of size, cost, power consumption and speed – right up to the top of the world. Our team brings together long-standing experts and young employees straight out of university. This means that our customers benefit from both experience and the latest know-how from the universities. Each project is supervised by a junior and a senior. That’s what sets us apart.

ZHAW entrepreneurship is the strategic initiative of the ZHAW that promotes entrepreneurship and innovation in teaching and practice. As an Entrepreneurial University, we not only implement entrepreneurship in theory, but also create scope for innovative ideas. We support students, employees and founders in transforming their ideas into marketable innovations. ZHAW entrepreneurship makes entrepreneurship an integral part of the university – practical, interdisciplinary and impact-oriented. Through targeted programs, networks and partnerships with industry, we create an ecosystem that brings entrepreneurship to life and provides sustainable economic impetus.

At the Institute for Design Research, theory and practice, basic research and applied research, production and reflection are combined and driven forward. In the overarching topic clusters “Health Design”, “Global Design” and “Ecology & Sustainability Design”, designers and scientists work together with practice partners to research relevant issues in interdisciplinary settings.

The “Institute of Neuroinformatics” (INI) was founded at the end of 1995 at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich. The Institute’s mission is to explore the key principles by which brains function and to implement them in artificial systems that interact intelligently with the real world.

The Digital Society Initiative (DSI) is shaping the digital transformation of society and science. With interdisciplinary activities in research, education and public relations, the DSI is the University of Zurich’s (UZH) competence center for digital change.

As a leading national institution for applied research and development in mechatronics, the Institute of Mechatronic Systems (IMS) specialises in innovative projects at the interface of mechanics, electronics and information technology. The concentrated know-how of over 50 employees from a wide range of disciplines and a modern research infrastructure make us your flexible and efficient partner for the realisation of your projects in research and development.

The Feasibility Lab at ETH Zurich promotes innovative, high-risk ideas and supports companies and students in the rapid development and validation of new concepts. As part of ETH Zurich’s pd|z, the lab offers practical projects and workshops to develop solutions for new technologies and strengthen long-term collaborations.

Materials and technologies for a sustainable future.

Empa is the ETH Domain’s interdisciplinary research institute for materials science and technology development. As a bridge between research and practical application, it develops innovative solutions for the priority challenges of industry and society in the areas of nanostructured, “smart” materials and surfaces, “advanced manufacturing”, environmental, energy and sustainable building technologies as well as personalised medicine and medtech applications. By transforming research results into marketable innovations thanks to efficient technology transfer together with industrial partners, Empa makes a significant contribution to enhance the innovative strength and international competitiveness of the Swiss economy, true to its motto: “Empa – The Place where Innovation Starts”. Careful use of our natural resources and thinking in terms of closed cycles are central to Empa’s work.

As one of the leading technical education and research institutions in Switzerland, the School of Engineering focuses on topics relevant to the future. 14 institutes and centers guarantee high-quality education, research and development with a focus on the areas of energy, mobility, information and health.

The Student Project House is a creative think- and makerspace open to all ETH students. With this initiative, ETH Zurich has created an open platform for the exchange of ideas between students from all disciplines. The platform also offers students support in implementing their own project ideas.

Excellence in entrepreneurship at ETH Zurich is driven by world-​class research and education. It gives rise to groundbreaking new ventures that consolidate Switzerland’s technological leadership. Are you an aspiring entrepreneur seeking to find solutions to global challenges and create a better future for humanity. Or are you just interested in the entrepreneurial ecosystem at ETH Zurich? Browse our websites to find out more or reach out to the Entrepreneurship group, if you have any questions.

​feminno offers all female scientists (from life sciences, natural sciences, medicine, health, psychology and tech) the opportunity to bridge research from an academic perspective with innovation, entrepreneurship and industry. Open to researchers of all Swiss Universities, the ETH domain and the Universities of Applied Sciences.