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Greater Zurich Area: Where tech invests.

Connecting businesses to opportunities and ecosystems in Switzerland

The Greater Zurich Area is where world-class technology meets Swiss reliability. As the global leader in innovation and talent attraction paired with Switzerland’s business-friendly, stable, and reliable environment, the Greater Zurich region offers international companies real added value and peace of mind for their strategic expansion in Europe. 

Start your expansion journey into Switzerland

Get all insights with our Doing Business Guide

Get all insights with our Doing Business Guide

Learn about the top reasons why Greater Zurich is a leading business hub in Europe

  • tax advantages and financial incentives,
  • talent insights – why Switzerland ranks #1 in global talent competitiveness and what that means for your hiring,
  • Switzerland’s regulatory and legal framework,
  • and much more.
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Teaser Doing Business in Greater Zurich

Settling your business is easy. Making a difference is extraordinary.

We create added value for the Greater Zurich Area and Switzerland by attracting forward-looking companies.
Greater Zurich Area AG (GZA) - Our mission

Locations don't build relationships, people do

From cocoa challenges to next-gen FoodTech: How Greater Zurich is shaping the future of sustainable chocolate

From cocoa challenges to next-gen FoodTech: How Greater Zurich is shaping the future of sustainable chocolate

Chocolate is at a critical turning point as climate change, unstable cocoa yields, rising costs and increasing sustainability expectations put pressure on global supply chains. As the world’s home of chocolate and one of the leading innovation and talent hubs, Switzerland is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of sustainable chocolate production. In particular, the Greater Zurich Area stands out as a dynamic foodtech ecosystem where research institutions, industry leaders and startups collaborate on solutions ranging from sustainable processing and sourcing to alternative ingredients and precision fermentation. Following a webinar series co-hosted by Business Location Switzerland, Greater Zurich Area and Branchfood, this article highlights selected innovation efforts and collaborations that demonstrate how Greater Zurich is contributing to the future of chocolate.

Why Greater Zurich works: Gian Sbetta on talent, innovation & the next decade

Why Greater Zurich works: Gian Sbetta on talent, innovation & the next decade

When Gian Sbetta first visited Google’s Hürlimann Campus as a 17-year-old exchange student, he couldn’t have imagined returning years later as an employee. Since then, he has watched the Zurich region transform into a global hotspot for AI, robotics, and deeptech innovation. Today, with experience spanning startups, venture networks, and the corporate tech world, Gian offers a unique outside-inside perspective on the region’s evolution. In this interview, he shares nine reflections on what makes the Greater Zurich Area one of Europe’s most compelling tech locations: from its unmatched talent base and vibrant startup scene to the signals now capturing global attention, and what will shape its role in the next decade of AI and deeptech innovation.

Inside the Greater Zurich Biotech scene with Nicola Heffron from Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Inside the Greater Zurich Biotech scene with Nicola Heffron from Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Nicola Heffron, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Marketing & Market Access at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, has spent more than 25 years shaping strategy, launches, and market access across the pharma and biotech industries. Originally from the UK, she moved with her family to Switzerland in 2015, drawn by the country’s position as a true hub for biotech innovation. Now based in Boston in a global leadership role, she continues to maintain close ties to the Greater Zurich Area’s vibrant life sciences ecosystem. In recognition of her achievements and long-standing connection to Switzerland’s biotech community, Nicola was named a Greater Zurich Ambassador in fall 2025. We spoke with her about her perspective on the region’s biotech and pharma ecosystem, what it was like to live and settle in Switzerland, and her advice for companies considering expanding into Europe.

Settling in Switzerland: Four stories from ETH Zurich

Settling in Switzerland: Four stories from ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is more than just a prestigious educational institution; it's a vibrant cultural melting pot where over 120 countries are represented. This diversity not only enriches the campus but also contributes to the rich talent pool in the Greater Zurich Area, attracting innovative minds and future decision-makers. These talented individuals are drawn to the region not only for its top academic opportunities but also for its exceptional quality of life, making it a preferred destination for those looking to shape the future. In a recent article, ETH Life magazine delves into the personal and emotional journeys of four international members of the ETH community as they navigate life in Switzerland, each bringing their unique perspectives and innovative ideas to the fore. 

Work with us - it's different!

Everyone finds facts and figures, even ChatGPT. We bring you the unexpected. We connect you to the game-changers and groundbreakers in the Greater Zurich Area. We are the navigators of the innovation ecosystem, guiding interested companies like yours through Greater Zurich's ecosystem. 

We are Greater Zurich Area Ltd. (GZA), the official investment promotion agency of the economic region of Zurich. We support international companies looking to expand into Switzerland, offering free, tailor-made support to help you evaluate locations, navigate taxes and regulations, and connect with key partners in the Greater Zurich region. Over 1,000 companies have already successfully expanded with our support. 

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Investment promotion - is it all about risk-taking? 

For us, investment promotion goes beyond managing risks; it’s about creating opportunities for people and supporting sustainable growth for the planet. In line with these values, we offer you the convenience of exploring our prime business location from anywhere in the world - virtually or in person.

Here’s how we help expanding companies like yours: 

  • Introductions to key players in industry, academia, and government 
  • Guidance on regulatory frameworks, taxes, labor markets, and company setup 
  • Tailored fact-finding visits, including office or co-working space tours

Meet with one of our expansion experts and discover how Greater Zurich can accelerate your company.  

Investing in Zurich was the best decision we've ever made.
""
Eric Schmidt - former CEO of Alphabet (Google) in "Schweiz am Wochenende", 2016

Meet with an expansion expert

Is Greater Zurich on your expansion radar? We support you on every step of your expansion journey - from location evaluation to fact finding visits. 

Our services are free of charge and include:

  • Introduction to key contacts in industry, academia, and government
  • Location evaluation support to find the ideal base for your business 
  • Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor, market, and setting up a company
  • Custom-made fact-finding visits, including office and co-working space 
  • And much more, customized to meet your needs.