Innovation Zurich is the platform that makes collaborations in the field of innovation in the Canton of Zurich visible and possible.
News
The ZHAW Brings the Digital Transformation to Life!
On 29 May 2024 from 1 p.m. in Winterthur, participants can expect a varied program…
When: 29 May 2024, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
News
The ZHAW Brings the Digital Transformation to Life!
On 29 May 2024 from 1 p.m. in Winterthur, participants can expect a varied program with an exhibition on current digitization projects as well as free workshops for experts and workshops for young people. So help yourself to the robot bar and shape the digital future with the ZHAW!
Workshops for professionals: How do I design an accessible website? What role does digitalization play in sustainable financing and responsible investing? And how can teachers use AI in the classroom? Find out more about these and other topics in the workshops for professionals. All workshops are free of charge and will take place on 29.5.2024 (14:00 – approx. 16:30) at the Adeline Favre House (Department of Health) in Winterthur. Register nowthe number of participants is limited!
Workshops for young people: How do I solve exam questions with Python? How do I recognize fake news on TikTok? And what role does sustainability play in digitalization? These and other topics await young people (aged 12-16) in five different workshops. All workshops are free of charge and will take place on 29.5.2024 (13:30 – approx. 15:00) at the Adeline Favre House (Department of Health) in Winterthur. Register nowthe number of participants is limited!
Employee Health: A Private Matter or a Company Responsibility?
Who is responsible for the health of employees? What opportunities does occupational health management offer?…
When: 04 June 2024, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
News
Employee Health: A Private Matter or a Company Responsibility?
Who is responsible for the health of employees? What opportunities does occupational health management offer? What can healthy leadership look like and what influence does it have on employer attractiveness? Answers to these questions are provided by the free short input followed by a Q&A session.
Zurich – Gowago’s online car leasing business grew by 150 percent in the first three…
News
Gowago Grows by 150 Percent in the First Quarter
Zurich – Gowago’s online car leasing business grew by 150 percent in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The company records 8,000 additional customers. Its artificial intelligence calculates the price and residual value of 18,000 vehicles online.
Gowago grew by 150 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. According to a press release, the market share of the brand-independent company, which was founded in 2017, also increased to 3.5 percent of the entire leasing industry. According to Gowago, the influx of over 8,000 customers contributed to this positive development.
Gowago handles everything digitally, from the selection to the signing of the contract. Artificial intelligence developed in-house calculates monthly installments and residual values for over 18,000 new and used cars directly on the platform. In all this, Gowago works together with Migros Bank and Baloise Insurance. The company also reportedly has a 4.8-star customer satisfaction rating on Google, the highest among Swiss leasing providers.
"It's great to see that our work is bearing fruit and that the growth curve is continuing upwards," said co-founder and CEO Rutger Verhoef. "With our offers and services, we give customers a completely transparent overview of the monthly costs of their personal mobility without any surprise additional charges."
According to Verhoef, Gowago has further intensified its customer focus. The company is therefore in the process of building more user-friendly tools: "We want to further expand our market share and be the leader in vehicle financing in Switzerland." ce/mm
The team behind Gowago looks back on a successful quarter. Image: Gowago
Date:
18 April 2024
Last update: 19.04.2024
Ecosystem Actors
Vivior AG
Vivior has developed a platform that can analyse and improve the digital workplace – in…
Startups
Vivior AG
Vivior has developed a platform that can analyse and improve the digital workplace – in the office, at home, on the road. Based on the data from our wearable device, our AI recognises the work activities and the relevant parameters of the digital workplace like workplace set-up, body posture, head position and motion, visual challenges, light conditions (incl. blue light exposure) as well as productivity and breaks. The AI will then recognise the relevant issues in the workplace environment to provide personalised recommendations for vision correction, improvements in the workplace set-up, activity, and posture improvements as well as eye wellness treatments. This leads to better vision, increased productivity, better sleep, higher personal comfort and lower healthcare cost.
Address:
Technopark 1 8005 Zürich
Expertise / Skills:
Spectacles, Cataract, Presbyopia, AI, Contact lenses, Visual Behavior, Myopia, Computer Vision Syndrome, Digital Office Health
Before joining Vivior, Mario served as CEO of multiple start-ups and worked on the executive level in large corporates in the medical device industry. He served on various boards of start-up companies in the area of medical devices, wearable sensors and IT platforms in the medical device space. In addition, Mario raised substantial funds from institutional and private investors. He also is a lead trainer in government entrepreneurship programs, serving as mentor for multiple start-ups in various industries.
Last update: 03.05.2022
The BRIDGE Lab
The BRIDGE Lab is a structural vessel funded by the University of Zurich under the…
Universities
The BRIDGE Lab
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.
Address:
Rämistrasse 69 8001 Zurich
Expertise / Skills:
Business Innovation, Design Thinking, Digital processes and transformation, Networking
Dr. Ning Wang is an ethicist and a political scientist based at University of Zurich since 2017. She has a broad research interest in the ethics assessment and responsible governance of emerging and future technologies, such as robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence. Through empirical studies, she aims to address the ethical, social, legal, and regulatory challenges disruptive technologies pose to society, explore responsive analytical approaches in the understanding and evaluation of them, and propose practical governance tools for the design, development, and use of them.
Dipl. Masch-Ing. ETH, Dr. sc. techn ETH in business and production sciences
Postgraduate Course in Business Management BFH
25 years of experience in product management, sales and capital goods marketing
10 years Professor College of Marketing and Product Innovation
Last update: 05.10.2023
Voices
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How important is co-creation in the digital health sector?
Voices
How important is co-creation in the digital health sector?
Gieri Cathomas is cluster manager at Health Tech Cluster Switzerland. The purpose of Health Tech Cluster Switzerland is to create beneficial networks between manufacturers, suppliers, research and educational institutions, service providers, start-ups and investors in the field of health technology.
Corinna Müller is Managing Director of the “Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich” Foundation and Cyril Kubr is Lead Innovation Park at ETH Zurich. The Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich creates a new platform for research, development and innovation on the site of the Dübendorf airfield. Topics at Innovation Park Zurich range from autonomous vehicles and navigation, walking and flying robots, to digital manufacturing technologies on the construction site.
Launching on March 1st: The Canton of Zurich's Digital Innovation Lab
The canton is currently procuring various IT services, including in the area of innovation. There…
News
Launching on March 1st: The Canton of Zurich's Digital Innovation Lab
From March 1, 2024, the canton of Zurich will boast its very own Digital Innovation Hub. The cantonal laboratory will be headed by Maren Kottler, who previously worked as the Manager of Foresight & Open Innovation at Swiss Post. This confirmation comes from the Department of Finance, where the Office for Informatics (AFI) is based, in response to inquiries. Under her leadership, four experts will work to establish a community platform and intertwine and connect ongoing initiatives, such as the AI Sandbox, with stakeholders from education, business, and administration.
At the moment, the canton is actively seeking IT services in over 14 areas for application management, covering aspects like Virtual and Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Blockchain. As of now, there is currently no central overview of innovation topics, as stated by a spokesperson from the Finance Department. The Digital Innovation Hub aims to change this. The community platform is intended to provide an overview of the administration's innovative projects and facilitate technology transfer among them.
Blockchain, VR, and AI in the Canton
The canton is looking for providers for blockchain applications who can handle up to 300 person-days annually by 2027, as needed. This includes projects for applications, as well as feasibility studies, consulting, and training for the canton's employees. Additionally, support and assistance in operation are also required.
However, it's more of a preventive procurement in this case. The press office states that there are currently no known concrete projects where blockchain is being used for business transactions, or at least under consideration. However, it cannot be ruled out that the technology may be utilized in products from suppliers.
It's a different story when it comes to Artificial Intelligence. The technology is already being used in voice and chatbots, where it aims to recognize user intent and provide appropriate responses. Other examples of AI projects include the 'Digital Learning Hub' from the Middle and Vocational School Office and the 'Innovation Sandbox' from the Department of Economic Affairs. The use of AI is outlined in a cantonal guideline, and current projects are listed on the canton's website.
Moreover, IoT devices are already in use in the canton as well. The Office for Informatics for instance utilizes sensors installed under desks. These generate data on the occupancy of the workstations. Additional sensors generate information on the indoor climate and acoustics. Research on augmented and virtual reality is being conducted at the Strickhof Institute for Education and Research. At the Olma fair, the Strickhof booth, according to the press office, demonstrated using VR glasses how the internal organs of a cow look and how digestion is influenced by different feeding strategies.
Artificial Intelligence in Education – Legal Best Practices
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers great potential within education. AI applications enable individualised learning and can…
News
Artificial Intelligence in Education – Legal Best Practices
The present guidelines provide an overview of legal aspects such as data protection and copyright, for when implementing AI applications. This document was drawn up based on a specific use case during which school pupils used a smartphone scan to automatically correct their handwritten math work and spelling exercises. Whereas these guidelines are based on the legal framework of a state school in the Canton of Zurich, the legal situation is similar in other cantons. The relevant regulations are, however, applied differently from canton to canton. While primarily directed at AI solution providers, these guidelines may also offer helpful insights to school officials as well.
Knonauer Amt Receives the regio.garantie Seal of Quality
Location promotion has genuine regional products certified.
News
Knonauer Amt Receives the regio.garantie Seal of Quality
For the first time, products from Knonauer Amt with the regio.garantie seal of quality will be on sale at the spring market on the Weisbroda site in Hausen am Albis on Saturday, April 13. The new regional brand is intended to give Säuliämtl products the higher appreciation and recognition they deserve - initially within the region, but later beyond.
The first 90 or so certified products are from farm stores, i.e. from direct agricultural marketing: the range extends from jams and syrups and preserves to soups and fruit snacks, Mostbröckli and lamb to cider, beer and schnapps - as well as non-food products such as sheep's wool comforters. But this is just the beginning. Further producers and products are to be included.
Also an instrument for regional marketing
To be awarded the regio.garantie seal of quality, a product must be 100 percent regional or - if it is a composite product - the main ingredient must be completely regional and at least 80 percent of all ingredients must be regional. This is checked by an external auditor.
Genuine regional products have the advantage that they have short distances, the added value remains in the region and you know where they come from. And they are simply unique due to their regional originality.
This is why the commitment of the location promotion agency is more than just support for direct marketing agriculture. Because: "Regional products make the region perceptible in a sensual and enjoyable way. This contributes to the identity of the region as a whole. Regional products are actually also an instrument for regional marketing," says location promoter Johannes Bartels, explaining the step towards the regio.garantie award.
Growing interest in regional products
With the launch of the regional brand, Knonauer Amt is jumping on a promising trend. The latest "Regional Products 2024" study by the Zurich School of Business shows that regional products are now "the most attractive value-added products" and that 71% of consumers already buy regional products every week. "Interest in regional products with the regio.garantie label is growing in all channels, from direct marketing to restaurants and fast food outlets to wholesalers," says Manfred Bötsch, President of the Swiss Regional Products Association and guest speaker at last year's Knonauer Amt location promotion spring meeting.
Vantage builds second Swiss data center for 370 million francs
Glattfelden ZH/Luxembourg/Denver – Denver-based Vantage Data Centers is investing more than 370 million Swiss francs…
News
Vantage builds second Swiss data center for 370 million francs
Vantage Data Centers builds its 33rd campus worldwide in Glattfelden. According to a press release, the Zurich 2 data center is due to open this summer. It is located around 20 kilometers from the Zurich 1 data center in Winterthur, which will go into operation in December 2021. The global company, which is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and has offices for the EMEA region in Luxembourg and London, announced the construction of three data centers with a total of 40 megawatts of IT capacity on its 3.7-hectare flagship campus there.
The "highly secure and carrier-neutral" Zurich 2 campus will provide 24 megawatts of IT capacity on 21,000 square meters. Vantage's customers include hyperscalers, cloud providers and large companies.
According to the information provided, Zurich 2 will have "industry-leading key figures" for the efficiency of electricity and water consumption. The waste heat is to be used by means of heat pumps to air-condition the offices and reduce external energy consumption. It also supplies a nearby hotel and seminar center.
Rainwater infiltration and a green roof are also planned. The wooden façade should blend harmoniously into the appearance of the community. According to Vantage, it will employ around 400 people during the main construction period and create around 25 permanent jobs for the operation of the data center. ce/mm
Date:
April 12 2024
Vantage Data Centers invests over 370 million Swiss francs in its second Swiss hyperscale data center. Image: Business Wire
Last update: 15.04.2024
Future Skills - the project world of tomorrow!
At this year’s spm.spring conference “Future Skills – the project world of tomorrow!”, we are…
Zurich/Weinfelden TG – Credit Exchange AG (CredEx) has a new lender and minority shareholder in…
News
Thurgauer Kantonalbank Joins CredEx
Credit Exchange AG (CredEx) wants to concentrate on its core business as a business-to-business marketplace and is selling its mortgage brokerage platform Valuu to Thurgauer Kantonalbank (TKB). As a result, TKB acts as an additional lender and minority shareholder for CredEx.
Credit Exchange AG, based in Zurich, achieved "significant growth" in its core business-to-business (B2B) business last year, as detailed in a press release. The cooperation now agreed with Thurgauer Kantonalbank is "in the sense of focusing resources". As a lender and minority shareholder, TKB is strengthening the existing shareholder base of Die Mobiliar, PostFinance, Vaudoise Insurance, Swisscom, Bank Avera and Glarner Kantonalbank.
The mortgage brokerage platform Valuu was founded in 2019. TKB will integrate Valuu into the Brokermarket platform to strengthen its own mortgage brokerage. Valuu will enable TKB to expand its brokerage business with 120 brokers and 24 lenders faster and more effectively, so that both Valuu and Brokermarket customers will benefit from the acquisition. Serkan Mirza, CEO of CredEx, sees the collaboration and the focus on the core business as "an opportunity to continue CredEx's strong growth in the coming years", as he is quoted in the press release. "With TKB, we are gaining a partner that is highly competent in the mortgage business. As the soon to be second active cantonal bank on the B2B platform, we will receive innovative impetus for the further development of CredEx." ce/js
Date:
April 17 2024
The management team of CredE - from left to right: Tiago Cruz (CTO), Andrea Canonica (CXO), Serkan Mirza (CEO). Image: Credit Exchange AG
Last update: 19.04.2024
Hubs
glatec – Empa/Eawag Business Incubator
It is precisely in the early phase of a startup's business development that the course…
Innovation Hubs
glatec – Empa/Eawag Business Incubator
It is precisely in the early phase of a startup's business development that the course is set that will massively influence its future chances of success. Professional guidance and support for young entrepreneurs is of central importance here, because they usually do not have management experience and access to infrastructure.
The glatec support association operates a "Business Incubator" in Dübendorf to facilitate and support startups and innovation processes in the field of materials science, environmental science and technology.
In close proximity to the ETH, the University and the University Hospital Zurich, a nationally…
Innovation Hubs
Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zurich
In close proximity to the ETH, the University and the University Hospital Zurich, a nationally and internationally important science park for companies and institutions from the life science sector has been created over the last two decades. On the former site of the Schweizerische Wagons- und Aufzügefabrik AG with a floor space of 55,000 m2 and on adjacent areas, the park today counts 50 companies as well as academic institutions that represent a healthy mix of young startups, globally active companies as well as university clinics, institutes and research groups.
As part of the Technopark Alliance, the Bio-Technopark supports young entrepreneurs, provides them with a tailored infrastructure and promotes exchange between all the life science organizations based here.
The Bio-Technopark received attention, among other things, thanks to successful sales of startups to large corporations and internationally active companies such as Roche, Novartis, J&J, GSK, Pfizer, Thermo Fisher Scientific. Notable financing rounds, the stock market listing of Molecular Partners and Kuros, and successful product developments also made headlines. Today, the life science organizations employ 1,500 people locally.
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.
