Innovation Zurich is the platform that makes collaborations in the field of innovation in the Canton of Zurich visible and possible.
News
Finance Circle: Sustainable impact investing: what is it all about?
At the end of 2022, the Federal Council adopted a clear position with regard to…
When: 17 June 2024, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
News
Finance Circle: Sustainable impact investing: what is it all about?
At the end of 2022, the Federal Council adopted a clear position with regard to the prevention of greenwashing: In future, only what contributes to a sustainability goal or is at least compatible with a sustainability goal should be considered sustainable. In order to achieve this goal, close cooperation between science and practice is required to drive the process forward. New investment concepts need to be defined and proposals developed as to how these can be implemented. Against this backdrop, the following questions will be discussed at the next Finance Circle:
– What impact do sustainable products have today?
– How could sustainable products and strategies be implemented in the future?
– How can investment concepts and advisory approaches be implemented in practice?
Renowned experts will discuss and share their perspectives, moderated and challenged by Mark Dittli, Managing Director of The Market.
The Swiss startup ecosystem congregates in Zurich on October 18th for the Launch startup conference…
When: 18 October 2024, 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
News
Launch by ETH Entrepreneur Club 2024
The Swiss startup ecosystem congregates in Zurich on October 18th for the Launch startup conference organized by the ETH Entrepreneur Club and SICTIC. Our team of 50+ student volunteers and experienced investors works to foster a platform for networking and collaboration between startups and leading companies in the deep tech, health tech, ICT and green tech sectors, in the heart of Switzerland. Our exhibition will showcase the latest technologies developed by Swiss startups and partner companies and our Main Stage discussions will delve into the most consequential topics in European deep tech and innovation. The end of the event will host the Grand Finale of the InCube Challenge, an innovation contest where student teams from all over the world develop solutions to major industry problems.
Wallisellen ZH – Ecospeed has made it much easier to record Scope 3 emissions in…
News
Ecospeed simplifies CO2 balancing for companies
Wallisellen ZH – Ecospeed has made it much easier to record Scope 3 emissions in the latest online version of its business platform. At the touch of a button, it breaks down the 15 categories required by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standard for companies’ CSR reporting.
Ecospeed has added a new function to its company-wide CO2 balancing software, which is now available online. The latest Ecospeed Business version enables the calculation of Scope 3 emissions according to the 15 categories of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standard(GHG). This precise and rather complex recording is required, among other things, by the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) Directive adopted by the EU in December 2022.
In carbon accounting in accordance with the CSR Directive, emissions are divided into three so-called scopes. Scope 1 comprises the company's direct emissions. Scope 2 stands for the indirect emissions resulting from the generation of the required electricity or district heating. Scope 3 includes all other emissions caused by upstream and downstream business activities, such as the transportation of goods or commuting employees.
According to the information provided, clicking on a button is enough to display the Scope 3 emissions. "We have been working on this feature for a long time," Ecospeed's Senior Consultant Dr. Sabine Bödefeld is quoted as saying. "Of course, the user has to prepare and collaborate and enter data. But the software takes care of the GHG-compliant categorization itself." The platform also offers assistance with calculations. ce/mm
Ecospeed hat in der neuesten Online-Version seiner Business-Plattform die Erfassung der Scope 3-Emissionen vereinfacht. Bild: zVg/Ecospeed
Date:
30 April 2024
Last update: 30.04.2024
Ecosystem Actors
Lifefair.org
Lifefair brings together decision-makers, implementers and innovators from business, politics, science and NGOs. Through critical-constructive…
Initiatives
Lifefair.org
Lifefair brings together decision-makers, implementers and innovators from business, politics, science and NGOs. Through critical-constructive dialog, we jointly advance sustainability: economically, socially, ecologically. Since 2011, Lifefair has stood for business and sustainability.
With 14,000 participants at Lifefair Forums and the Swiss Green Economy Symposium, Lifefair has become the most comprehensive dialogue and innovation platform for business and sustainability.
Around 1600 speakers share their expertise on topics including the world of work, digitization, energy, health, real estate, investing, climate, mobility, food, resources, smart city and tourism.
Address:
Militärstrasse 90 8004 Zürich
Expertise / Skills:
Lifefair brings together decision-makers, implementers and innovators at around 20 events each year, helping them to achieve their sustainability goals. The goal of the events is to: Learn new things, network, get (to) know other points of view, stimulate out-of-the-box thinking, real innovation and business opportunities.
The Wyss Zurich Translational Center – or Wyss Zurich for short – is a joint…
Universities
Wyss Zurich Translational Center
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.
Address:
Weinbergstrasse 35, WEH, ETH Zurich / University of Zurich 8092 Zurich
Expertise / Skills:
Funding for personnel expenses & translational R&D; Funding for early-phase clinical trials; Access to technology platforms & infrastructure; Coaching / matching with business experts
Melanie Wiesel is responsible for the project evaluation process as well as the coordination of running projects. She is also responsible for IP-related matters of the projects and the IP strategy of Wyss Zurich.
Last update: 03.05.2022
Fruitful AI
Fruitful is revolutionizing automated quality control in the competitive manufacturing landscape with a computer vision-based…
Startups
Fruitful AI
Fruitful is revolutionizing automated quality control in the competitive manufacturing landscape with a computer vision-based solution. This can reduce waste and optimize resources. Our AI-supported system can be seamlessly integrated into existing production lines and offers manufacturers real-time defect detection and classification. This proactive approach ensures consistent product quality, minimizes rework and recalls and enables continuous improvement cycles in the production processes.
Address:
Höhenstrasse 11 8954 Geroldswil
Expertise / Skills:
Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Cloud Computing, Contactless sensors, Control Engineering, Data Science, Deep Learning, Digital processes and transformation, Industry 4.0, Internet-of-Things (IoT), Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Optical sensors, Quality management
Innovation Sandbox - What role will AI-based image recognition play in schools in the future?
Voices
Innovation Sandbox - What role will AI-based image recognition play in schools in the future?
A combination of artificial intelligence and traditional methods is intended to make everyday school life easier for teachers and maximize the learning success of students. Herby wants to make it possible to correct a worksheet in seconds with the use of artificial intelligence.
The Innovation Sandbox for AI clarifies the legal basis for automated correction of handwritten learning content. Because these are often unclear to providers, teachers, and parents.
In the video, Marco Cocuzza and Raphael von Thiessen explain the lessons learned from the Innovation Sandbox project and how Herby will now evolve.
How a Zurich start-up brings AI into medical technology
Voices
How a Zurich start-up brings AI into medical technology
Philippe Ganz is Co-Founder and CEO of aiEndoscopic and firmly rooted in the medtech ecosystem. We asked him how the intuBot was developed and how it is revolutionising medical technology.
Innovation Sandbox - What role will AI-based image recognition play in schools in the future?
A combination of artificial intelligence and traditional methods is intended to make everyday school life…
Voices
Innovation Sandbox - What role will AI-based image recognition play in schools in the future?
A combination of artificial intelligence and traditional methods is intended to make everyday school life easier for teachers and maximize the learning success of students. Herby wants to make it possible to correct a worksheet in seconds with the use of artificial intelligence.
The Innovation Sandbox for AI clarifies the legal basis for automated correction of handwritten learning content. Because these are often unclear to providers, teachers, and parents.
In the video, Marco Cocuzza and Raphael von Thiessen explain the lessons learned from the Innovation Sandbox project and how Herby will now evolve.
Location promotion of the Canton of Zurich honored with SVSM Awards 2023
Yesterday, the Swiss Association for Location Management, the umbrella organization for location and economic development…
News
Location promotion of the Canton of Zurich honored with SVSM Awards 2023
At the hybrid symposium "SVSM Dialogue on Business Promotion", location and business promoters from all over Switzerland met in Olten. The occasion was, on the one hand, the professional exchange and networking and, on the other, the presentation of the annual SVSM Awards. These awards have been presented since 2007 by the Swiss Association for Location Management SVSM, the umbrella organization of Swiss business and location promotion agencies. With this award, the umbrella organization honors targeted, effective and innovative projects in the areas of location marketing, location development and business promotion.
12 applications, five nominees, two awards
For this year's awards, 12 applications were received from all over Switzerland. An expert jury evaluated these based on defined criteria and nominated five projects for the 2023 awards:
Innovation Sandbox for Artificial Intelligence – submitted by «Standortförderung Kanton Zürich»
Project new building "Square" – submitted by HSG Foundation
Light and water world project – submitted by Light Ragaz AG
IT system "Echt regional" – submitted by «Standortförderung Zürioberland»
Project intercantonal daycare subsidies – submitted by «WirtschaftsPortalOst»
The participants in Olten eagerly awaited the announcement by jury president and SVSM board member Katharina Hopp as to which of the nominated projects would actually receive an award. "The decision was not easy for the jury this year either," said Hopp in advance. Even a nomination for the award is an honor and recognition. The coveted trophies were finally presented to Raphael von Thiessen from the Canton of Zurich Location Promotion Agency and Sabrina Honegger from the Zürioberland Location Promotion Agency.
Award for innovation sandbox artificial intelligence
The "Artificial Intelligence Innovation Sandbox" project of the Canton of Zurich's Economic Development Agency is a test environment for the implementation of AI projects. The Sandbox is designed to promote responsible innovation by allowing the administration and participating organizations to work closely on regulatory issues and to enable the use of novel data sources. At the award ceremony, jury president Katharina Hopp praised the clear strategic approach and emphasized that projects such as the Sandbox are urgently needed, as Switzerland is lagging far behind internationally, particularly in the regulatory aspect of artificial intelligence. The jury also considered the fact that a cantonal office is networking with companies in order to jointly promote Switzerland as a high-tech location to be remarkable.
Award for "Echt regional" platform
The second award went to Standortförderung Zürioberland for its "Echt regional" project. This is an IT system for the simple certification of regional products. Until now, this has involved a great deal of effort, which has deterred some producers from applying for certification. The new platform, which several regional brands have already joined, simplifies the process and can be expanded as required. "Although the Zürioberland location promotion agency has taken the initiative, it has not created an isolated solution, but a forward-looking platform with great potential," said jury president Hopp at the award ceremony. The strengths of Swiss regional products would be brought into focus with this digital showcase.
Sonja Wollkopf Walt is location manager of the year
Every year at the SVSM Awards ceremony, the umbrella organization also honors a deserving personality as Site Manager of the Year. After Christoph Lang, Samih Sawiris and Bruno Marazzi, for example, received the award in previous years, this year the jury decided to honor one of its own: Sonja Wollkopf Walt, Managing Director of the Greater Zurich Area, received the award for Location Manager of the Year 2023 in Olten. In his laudatory speech, Ambassador Eric Jakob, Head of the Directorate for Site Promotion SECO and jury member of the SVSM Awards, described Wollkopf Walt as a "pioneer and inspiration for national site promotion". It has repositioned the Greater Zurich Area in difficult times and enabled growth thanks to a new approach - away from geography and towards the marketing of ecosystems that know no cantonal borders. "In an interview a few years ago, when asked about your career plans, you said that you wanted to work internationally and make a difference. You have succeeded in this: Your great achievements and successes are widely recognized - today's award is testament to this."
Shot of a young businesswoman having a discussion with her colleague in a modern office
Last update: 23.04.2024
Circunis Creates a Cycle for Surplus Food
Zurich – Circunis has been online since April 23, 2024. On the new B2B marketplace…
News
Circunis Creates a Cycle for Surplus Food
Surplus food can now be traded on Circunis. Farms can offer their surplus produce on the platform or search specifically for the Swiss fruit and vegetables they need. The B2B marketplace of the Zurich-based association Mehr als zwei is the first to create a nationwide basis for ensuring that food remains in the cycle instead of ending up in the bin. In this way, Circunis wants to contribute to the national goal of halving food waste by 2030.
"Most companies want to operate more sustainably," CEO and co-founder Olivia Menzi is quoted as saying in a press release. "Circunis now offers the necessary network - and it's very quick and easy." Initial success stories from the pilot phase have shown that the sale and purchase of surplus food is not only sustainable and therefore sensible, but also economically worthwhile. Circunis cites criteria such as additional revenue instead of disposal costs, freed-up storage space, time savings and attractive purchasing conditions.
The implementation of the project is made possible by the Migros Pioneer Fund and the Seedling Foundation. The annual fee for using the B2B marketplace is based on the company's turnover and starts at CHF 250. New participants receive a 50 percent discount on the first annual fee until the end of September 2024. ce/mm
Date:
April 24 2024
The team behind Circunis from left to right: Fiona Wicki, Olivia Menzi, Corina Koster, Micha Krautwasser, and Karin Friedli. Image: Circunis
The New B2B Marketplace for Food Surplus Launches With a Range of Over 60 Tons
From today, producers can register their surpluses on the new B2B marketplace Circunis and offer…
News
The New B2B Marketplace for Food Surplus Launches With a Range of Over 60 Tons
Frozen Swiss vegetables, fruit and pulses are just some of the more than 60 tons of foodstuffs that are listed on the Circunis B2B marketplace at launch. Companies can not only record their surpluses, but also search specifically for the food they need. This makes it easy to see and trade food surpluses throughout Switzerland. Trade takes place directly from farm to farm. Circunis serves as a bridge builder and connects producers, food processors, system and care gastronomy as well as wholesalers.
"Most businesses want to operate more sustainably. Circunis now offers the necessary network for this - and it's very quick and easy," emphasizes co-founder Olivia Menzi.
Sustainable and economic benefits for participants
Initial success stories from the pilot phase show that the sale or purchase of surplus food not only makes sustainable sense, but is also economically worthwhile: additional income instead of disposal costs, freed-up storage space, time savings and attractive purchasing conditions.
Circunis participants have full access to the B2B marketplace circunis.ch and benefit from an easily accessible and Switzerland-wide network. The annual fee is based on the company's turnover and starts at CHF 250/year.
Important basis for a Swiss-wide cycle
Today, around 40% of all food worldwide is overproduced and ends up as waste. Switzerland has set itself the goal of halving its food surpluses by 2030. The new B2B marketplace of the Mehr als zwei association is the first to create a basis for establishing a Swiss-wide cycle for dealing with surpluses. The implementation of the project is made possible by the Migros Pioneer Fund and Seedling Foundation.
→ Find out more now at circunis.ch and contribute to a sustainable Swiss food industry together. New participants receive a 50% discount on the first annual fee until the end of September 2024.
Ivoclar and SkyCell join forces to avoid empty shipments from the USA
Schaan/Zurich/Zug – Ivoclar and SkyCell optimize reverse logistics. The dental company now ships its products…
News
Ivoclar and SkyCell join forces to avoid empty shipments from the USA
According to their media releases, Ivoclar and SkyCell are pioneers in optimized reverse logistics. The two companies have joined forces to avoid empty freight from the USA to Zurich in future. "With this innovative concept for success, companies not only gain economic advantages, but also make a contribution to their sustainability," says a press release from the Liechtenstein dental and medical technology company Ivoclar.
SkyCell ships its air freight containers loaded with medical products from various pharmaceutical manufacturers to the USA. These transport containers have so far been returned empty to Zurich. Ivoclar is now loading these empty boxes with pallets of its products, which are manufactured at the Ivoclar site in Somerset, New Jersey, and are intended for distribution in Europe.
"By integrating Ivoclar pallets into our hybrid containers, we are optimizing freight efficiency, which leads to lower CO2 emissions and brings us closer to our goal of climate neutrality," Paulo Baumgartner, Head of Operations Supplier & Procurement at SkyCell, is quoted as saying in a statement from his company. SkyCell has offices in Zug and in the Technopark Zurich.
Bremen-based transport and logistics partner DSV Air & Sea facilitates distribution in Europe by providing the container returns in its warehouse. The freight arriving in Zurich is distributed to its final destinations in Europe with the help of the Swiss company Fischer Road Cargo, which specializes in logistics solutions for regional road transport. ce/mm
Date:
April 29 2024
Ivoclar und SkyCell wollen gemeinsam Pionierarbeit in der optimierten Rückwärtslogistik leisten. Bild: zVg/Ivoclar Vivadent AG
Last update: 29.04.2024
Finance Circle: Sustainable impact investing: what is it all about?
At the end of 2022, the Federal Council adopted a clear position with regard to…
News
Finance Circle: Sustainable impact investing: what is it all about?
Founded in December 2019: House of Insurtech Switzerland AG (HITS) is a subsidiary of Generali…
Innovation Hubs
HITS - House of InsurTech Switzerland
Founded in December 2019: House of Insurtech Switzerland AG (HITS) is a subsidiary of Generali (Switzerland) Holding Ltd. An InsurTech Corp-Up Studio (Corp-Up is when a Corporate co-creates a solution with a start-Up), that builds innovative solutions with Generali Business Units (BUs) and start-ups that address challenges and create value focused on the DACH Region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
We are a team of skilled innovation professionals who are experienced in partnering with Startups: starting from BUs needs, co-create prototypes of new products and services, which are fed back into Generali’s BUs.
The direct network currently includes more than 34 start-ups with knowledge from various technology areas including blockchain, AI, and digital payment and insurance. Partnerships with universities, technology providers, incubators, and accelerators complement the ecosystem. Innovation is offered within the network as a service to companies.
Open Innovation Manager mathias@houseofinsurtech.ch
Last update: 08.02.2024
Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich / Innovationspark Zürich
The IPZ creates a new, optimally networked platform for research, development, and innovation for cooperation…
Innovation Hubs
Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich / Innovationspark Zürich
The IPZ creates a new, optimally networked platform for research, development, and innovation for cooperation between science and industry on the site of the Dübendorf airfield.
Digital Winterthur is an organization that focuses on promoting digitalization, technology and innovation in the…
Innovation Hubs
Digital Winterthur
Digital Winterthur is an organization that focuses on promoting digitalization, technology and innovation in the Winterthur region. By organizing regular events, projects and partnerships, Digital Winterthur creates a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience in the digital field. The organization brings together members, experts and the general population of Winterthur to promote digital development in the city. The focus is on creating an innovation hub that promotes collaboration and helps to position Winterthur as a place for advanced digital technologies. Digital Winterthur could also play a role in the integration of technologies in various areas, from business and education to environmental and urban development.
