1. CEO swissnex China Vice Consul General
Swiss Innovation
Pascal Marmier
CEO swissnex China Vice Consul General

2. Introduction 1

3. Facts about Switzerland
Population (2015): 8’279’000 (Shanghai, 2013: 23’900’000 ) Area: 41’285 km² (China: 9’596’961 km²)
Government type: Federal state, semi-direct democracy
Capital: Bern
Cantons: 26
4 Official languages
German
French
Italian
Rumantsch
GDP (2014): 685.4MUSD
Shared frontiers with 4 EU countries
Austria
France
Germany
Italy

4. A Small Country…

5. Area comparison

6. With Many Clichés…

7. Swiss Images

8. Swiss Images

9. …Which has always been Really Innovative!

10. Swiss Innovation

11. Swiss Innovation

12. Innovation Policies and System2

13. Rankings 1st 1st 4th Global Innovation Index 2015
WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2014 – 2015
The World Competitiveness
Scoreboard 2015
1st
1st
4th

14. Global Innovation Index 2015
2012
2013
2014
2015
1st
2nd
1st
3rd
4th
4th

15. Innovation drives the Swiss economy
Switzerland is a small country with few raw materials (-> need to generate high value products and services)
It has one of the most open economies in the world and is heavily dependent on exports. Almost one in every three francs is earned abroad.
Swiss companies compete with businesses throughout the world.
In order to survive in this competitive environment, their products must be innovative.

16. The Story Behind Innovation
7 Principles of Success
Effective knowledge/technology transfer system
Incremental innovation
Promote a dual education system
Provide funding for research
Maintain open markets
Promote international collaboration
No government masterplan for Innovation

17. International Collaboration
Proportions of foreign scientist at Swiss Universities:

18. Other success factors
Important role of private sector means that the government does not have planned “industrial policy”
Additional funding for priority fields:
- Research stage for NCCRs for example if economic or social needs
- Commercialization stage – energy innovation as example of important government decision
Individual and competitive science funding

19. Major Players in Innovation3

20. Swiss Innovation Players

21. Commission for Technology and Innovation
The CTI is mandated by the Confederation to improve the innovative strength of the Swiss economy.
It funds and supports cooperation projects between companies and higher education institutions to encourage the introduction of innovative products on the market.
It supports start-ups and thereby helps to create jobs for highly qualified workers.
It promotes the transfer of knowledge and technology between higher education institutions and Swiss companies.

22. How CTI projects are run:
Higher education
Scientific know-how
Infrastructure
Max. 50% funding (CTI funds)
Businesses
Entrepreneurial know-how
Market access, 10% cash contribution
Min. 50% funding
R&D project
Market influence

23. Universities of Applied Sciences Public-Private Co-financing
Applied R&D projects
Universities of Applied Sciences
Public financing
Start-up Coaching
ETHs
Universities
Industry
Public-Private Co-financing

24. EPFL

25. The EPFL Innovation Park
The Innovation Park:
13 buildings for companies partnering & collaborating with EPFL.
Including 6 buildings for start-ups, offering a variety of value added services (coaching, training, funding,…)
The Garage (opened in 2008) for very early stage ventures.
A co-working open-space for early projects

26. Food for thoughts Bottom-up / competitive / collaborative funding
Focus on connecting people rather than institutions
Attract the best talents… from around the world

27. Case studies 4

28. Start-ups

29. Start-ups:

30. Start-ups:

31. Start-ups:

32. PMEs

33. Model Railway inspires a new Drive System

34. Large Companies

35. Nestlé on EPFL Campus Over 150 scientists from 20 nationalities
6,700 m2 for life-science
Over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications
Over 170 collaborations with more than 60 partners including external suppliers, universities and companies

36. Collaboration with EU

37. topten.eu

38. Sino-Swiss Collaboration5
Sino-Swiss Collaboration

39. Sino-Swiss Collaboration
Free Trade Agreement
SSSTC
-> Translational Medicine
Bilateral Relations

40. Swiss Companies in China
Swiss Subsidiaries in China per Industry:
Around 600 Swiss Companies (more than 1000 including local Subsidiaries)

41. Innovation Commercialization

42. Who are we? 5

43. Who we are…
Swissnex China is a public-private venture which is part of a network of outposts in Bangalore, Boston, Shanghai, San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro.
We function as a part of Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai to promote Switzerland’s excellence as one of the world’s leading countries in the fields of innovation, research, technology and higher education, to connect academia and business and to facilitate cooperation between China and Switzerland.

44. China Hardware Innovation Camp
From idea to prototype in 30 days

45. Venture Leaders

46. Thank You! 謝謝