Launched in 2020, the Switzerland Innovation Tech4Impact Initiative, aimed to drive innovation at the intersection of science and sustainability. The initiative, led by the Switzerland Innovation Foundation in collaboration with the Enterprise for Society Center (E4S), successfully incubated 18 projects across three calls. An impact report sheds light on the outcome and how the projects have benefited from SI Tech4Impact.
The Switzerland Innovation Tech4Impact program has played a crucial role in providing science-based startups with a comprehensive framework and grants to progress and actively contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An impact report reveals SI Tech4Impact's results. Grantees' dedication resulted in significant milestones: 70 jobs created, 7 new sustainable technologies launched in the market, and over 20 million in additional funding secured. The program, which was launched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, ended with a 94% survival rate for the incubated technologies.
This success cannot be taken for granted, as the projects were at an early stage of development (TRL 4 - TRL 7). They had to face technological hurdles as well as the challenge to find a balance between innovation and commercial viability.
Participants emphasise that the support provided by SI Tech4impact was particularly helpful due to the early stage of their project. Olivier Gröninger, Openversum: "We are very grateful for the opportunity and support! It was the first large booster that allowed us to grow and raise more funds, and most importantly, allowed us to increase our impact."
Collaborations with Switzerland Innovation Parks
A key to success were early partnerships with industry stakeholders and research institutions. The programme illustrated the central role of collaboration for further development and ultimate success. Some of these collaborations involved Switzerland Innovations Parks directly. A good example is the collaboration with Green-Y Energy AG and the Swiss Battery Technology Center of the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne, where an innovative system was successfully installed and operated in the park's building. As well, the use of Rematter's industrially manufactured modules, designed in collaboration with ZPF Ingenieure and Herzog & de Meuron and developed by senn.com for the House for Research, Technology, Utopia and Sustainability (HORTUS) at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area Main Campus.
Accordingly, in their feedback on the programme, participants emphasise the importance of collaboration. Carroll Plummer, CEO Vivent: “We really appreciate the support of Switzerland Innovation. These funds supported our sustainability and business objectives and lead to a product launch and to job creation. We are grateful for the creative and professional input of our research partner Marco Mazza from HEIA-FR who created new prototypes for real-time crop health biosensors. Thanks also to Armando Bourgknecht from EPFL who teamed up with Nick Barker and Caleb Carroll from our team to bring our ideas to life.”
The organisers are also pleased with the results. Raymond Cron, CEO of Switzerland Innovation: “The Switzerland Innovation Tech4Impact Program has been a catalyst in transforming innovative ideas into impactful realities. The success of the program is inseparable from the invaluable support of our Innovation Partners, including ABB, Credit Suisse, Die Mobiliar, Economiesuisse, Interpharma, Schindler, Swiss Re Foundation, Swisscom, UBS, and Zurich.“
(Stefan Kyora)
Picture: Tosa Swisstech team presenting at the SI Tech4Impact Demoday 2023
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