Innovation, value creation, sustainability:
89 settlements in the Zurich economic region
The year 2023 was characterized by geopolitical uncertainties, inflation, and a general mood of crisis, directly impacting investment activity. Although company settlements are declining, the Greater Zurich Area Ltd (GZA) and its partners helped 89 high-quality, pioneering, and promising companies to settle in the Zurich economic region.
One of last year's highlights was the announcement that the Boston Dynamics AI Institute will open a branch in Zurich in 2024. This "lighthouse" settlement, mainly due to ETH's cutting-edge activities in this area, underlines Zurich's status as a global research and innovation hub in robotics and artificial intelligence. The Greater Zurich Area has an ecosystem offering ideal conditions for international AI champions.
More quality, fewer settlements
The global economic situation has strongly impacted our region as well. Nevertheless, the GZA was able to realize significant settlements. Projects in life science, advanced manufacturing, and intelligent systems are particularly noteworthy.
As part of GZA's strategic focus on quality and innovation, developments in 2023 varied depending on the market region. The figures from the individual markets provide insight into the dynamics and potential for future developments.
International functions require a highly educated workforce
84% of the newly settled companies in Greater Zurich in 2023 will perform international functions from their new location, and only 16% will focus exclusively on Switzerland. This high international focus is a significant indicator of the dynamic and attractiveness of the business location. The increased presence of internationally active companies has a direct impact on the requirements profile of the workforce.
The 89 companies will create 359 new jobs in the Greater Zurich Area, with a forecast of 1,463 jobs over the next five years.
New players in the ecosystem
The settlement of innovative companies with high added value is important for the economic region and supports the necessary structural change. A selection.
High-tech cameras of impressive quality
High-tech cameras of impressive quality
Shotover is a global leader in the development of camera technology that offers ultimate stability and versatility. The settlement brings a touch of Hollywood to Zurich. For the spectacular shots in the action film "Top Gun: Maverick", precision maneuvers were filmed at low altitudes using Shotover's technology.
Zurich as top research and innovation hub for robotics and AI
Zurich as top research and innovation hub for robotics and AI
Boston Dynamics' Robotics and AI Institute opens a branch in Zurich in 2024. The Robotics and AI Institute researches the use of AI in robotics independently of Boston Dynamics' parent company, Hyundai. Marco Hutter, director of the ETH Center for Robotics, will be in charge of the Zurich location.
The establishment of the Robotics and AI Institute has a global impact and underlines the importance of Zurich as a research and business location for robotics. Chris Anderson, former editor-in-chief of the tech journal "Wired" once described Switzerland as the "Silicon Valley of robotics."
Space technology in Ticino
Space technology in Ticino
The Canadian company QSTC has set up business in Tecnopolo Ticino. It is a research and development-based space engineering company that specializes in satellite and robotics technology.
Although QSTC is still a young company, it is growing quickly and has already worked with important customers such as NASA, SpaceX, ESA, and Ruag in Switzerland. The company plans to employ over 200 highly qualified employees in Ticino.
The shooting star among biotechs
The shooting star among biotechs
The Californian biotech company Cytokinetics is developing, among other things, a new heart drug to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a chronic heart disease.
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