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Switzerland is recognized as one of the most innovative countries in the world. Digitization has gained momentum in Swiss industries, such as the banking sector, which is now almost completely digitized. One sector is still lagging far behind: healthcare.

This issue has been the focus of numerous stakeholders from the public and private sectors for many years. So far, the digital transformation has not succeeded. We are still years behind European countries like Denmark or Estonia, which have fully digital healthcare systems.

A great deal of time and effort has been spent by the various players in the healthcare system to develop the best technologies to support this change. Today, there are many solutions and initiatives around this issue. The electronic patient dossier (EPD) has been developed. Recently, collaborative consortia have created new digital health platforms.

For digital tools to be effective, they are developed and tested with end users to ensure they work as efficiently as possible. If they do not meet the needs, they will not be accepted by the end users. Therefore, a platform/solution for a digital healthcare system should be developed together with the end users, the citizens of Switzerland.

This publication was designed to give the Swiss population the opportunity to express their wishes and concerns regarding the digitization of healthcare. This was done by means of a survey conducted at the end of summer 2022.

This survey can be used to more accurately capture citizens' perspectives on the topic. The willingness of the Swiss population to use a digital healthcare system is clearly evident - provided it offers clear added value such as better user-friendliness, better diagnoses and treatments, and lower healthcare costs.

The Swiss Drone Industry Report 2024 is now available! DIAS, the Drone Industry Association Switzerland, in collaboration with Drone Industry Insights UG, releases today its complete 2024 report on the Swiss drone industry. The study reveals substantial growth and global leadership, the result of cutting-edge technology and expanding market development.

In 2024, the Swiss drone market achieved a significant milestone with a turnover of CHF 425 million, solidifying the country's status as a frontrunner in the industry. The export of Swiss products and services has seen a notable increase, rising to 55% from 45% in 2021. Swiss companies specializing in hardware (91%) and software (87%) derive the majority of their revenue from international markets. In order to cater to the demands of the local drone market, Switzerland relies heavily on imports, especially in the hardware sector.

This year, Switzerland continues to uphold its status as the global leader in the drone market per capita. A comprehensive analysis of data from more than 180 countries has enabled the ranking of the largest commercial drone markets in both Europe and worldwide, revealing that the top three countries collectively contribute to over half of the total commercial market. In terms of absolute figures, Switzerland ranks as the fifth largest commercial market in Europe and the twelfth largest in the world.

A study by the University of St.Gallen has comprehensively examined the framework conditions for startups in Switzerland from a legal and economic perspective. While the higher education landscape and the financing conditions for start-ups are considered satisfactory, there are clear deficits with regard to administrative requirements. In particular, the start-up process in Switzerland is too complex, lengthy and costly by international standards.

Switzerland offers good conditions for startups and has, for example, produced some so-called "unicorns" with On, Mindmaze or Wefox, i.e. fast-growing companies valued at over one billion US dollars. As a country that regularly leads rankings such as the "Global Innovation Index" and has an excellent higher education landscape and a strong financial center, the framework conditions here are very good. Nevertheless, it must be asked how even more success stories can be written.

Researchers at the University of St.Gallen (HSG), under the scientific leadership of Prof. Dr. Dietmar Grichnik and Prof. Dr. Markus Müller-Chen, have investigated this question and, in addition to the positive aspects, have also identified a number of obstacles: the experts surveyed in the Swiss startup ecosystem perceive the bureaucratic process of founding a company as very complex. From the preparation of the necessary documents to the public notarization as well as the registration with the commercial register, time-consuming physical processes are necessary instead of being able to incorporate online in a one-stop store and by means of digital notarial services. Here, Switzerland lags behind other countries in terms of digital solutions. There are also warning signals regarding venture capital activities. Switzerland is increasingly falling behind other European countries. Prof. Dietmar Grichnik emphasizes: "Switzerland has a great opportunity to establish itself as a unicorn hotbed for startups. However, only if we don't lose out internationally on the location factors of digital startups, attractiveness for investors, taxes and regulation."

Specific challenges

Especially in the MedTech and FoodTech sectors, startups have a high structural relevance in Switzerland. However, this is precisely where a high degree of regulatory uncertainty and rigidity cause problems. Prof. Markus Müller-Chen explains: "Innovations in these key industries are hindered by slow, insufficiently digitized and partly non-transparent approval or authorization procedures." MedTech startups have also suffered since 2021 from the suspension of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with the EU due to the lack of an institutional agreement. Another problem that affects startups in all industries equally is the possible classification of venture capitalists (so-called "business angels") as professional securities traders. Here, a statutory adjustment could create more legal certainty.

Basis for political initiatives

The study was conducted by the HSG on behalf of the Swiss Entrepreneurs & Startup Association SWESA. The association is committed to improving the economic policy framework for startups and innovative SMEs in Switzerland and runs the secretariat of the parliamentary group Startups and Entrepreneurship. Andri Silberschmidt, for example, is one of them: "The results of this study will help us to derive political initiatives and take concrete measures to offer startups in Switzerland optimal conditions," says the FDP National Councilor. The Swiss Mobiliar Cooperative supported the study as a benefactor.

Image: University of St.Gallen (HSG)