Our experts in the US, Europe, and Asia share insights into current trends and location decisions of international companies - from the AI wave in the US to deep tech growth in Europe and the global expansion of Chinese firms. Three perspectives, one common theme: the Greater Zurich Area is gaining strategic relevance - as a hub for innovation, excellence, and sustainable growth.
Lukas Sieber - Executive Director USA
No subsidies - but speed and excellence.
Key takeaways:
Zurich will keep growing as an AI and biotech hub.
Only top-tier tech firms will be targeted.
Focus remains on excellence over subsidies.
“We’re opening an office in Zurich - because this is where we find the best talent.” These were the words of Marc Raibert, Chairman of Boston Dynamics, whose company, the AI Institute, chose Zurich as a new location in 2024. And he’s not alone: Anthropic, the company behind Claude AI, and OpenAI followed in the same year - with more to come. By 2024 at the latest, Zurich had established itself as a global hotspot for artificial intelligence.
But AI is only part of the story. In parallel, Zurich is becoming a magnet for another high-tech sector: biotechnology and pharma. In particular, late-stage startups in these fields are using Switzerland as a springboard into the European market. While AI companies are primarily looking for engineers, biotech firms focus on commercial talent and optimal regulatory conditions. What unites both sectors is the hunt for the very best - not the top 10%, but the top 1% who dominate global competition. In (software) engineering, true innovation comes from top-tier talent. According to Brandon Cohen, former Head of Technical Recruiting for Google EMEA, one breakthrough from a top 1% engineer can outperform the work of 50 or even 100 average engineers.
Unlike in the UK, Ireland, or France, we don’t rely on government subsidies or financial incentives to attract companies. Zurich offers something more valuable: speed, quality, and direct access to a world-class ecosystem. We don’t help with customer acquisition or financing - we help companies get started efficiently and without hurdles. From access to universities to work permits and connections with service providers and strategic partners - we open doors for those ready to walk through them.
It’s not about bringing every company to Zurich. Many European locations try to lure firms with funding. That’s unthinkable for GZA. Because if a company can’t raise capital in the U.S., it will hardly find it easier in Switzerland. Our goal isn’t volume, it’s quality: companies that fill a technological gap, provide real value to the region, and are globally leading in their field.
Zurich is no longer an insider tip - it’s where the world’s most innovative U.S. companies are planning their next growth phase. And this is just the beginning.
Mandy Lin - Director China
China's global expansion - Opportunities for the Greater Zurich Area.
Key takeaways:
China’s expansion into Europe will accelerate.
Switzerland must integrate into supply chains.
Location advantages need more assertive communication.
China's economy faced numerous challenges in 2024 but demonstrated remarkable resilience, paving the way for continued progress in 2025. Strong export performance played a crucial role in sustaining growth despite global uncertainties. The Chinese government implemented targeted fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate economic activity, mitigating the impact of a sluggish property market and demographic challenges. Trade tensions with the United States persisted, prompting Chinese manufacturers to diversify their production bases to other countries.
Looking ahead, Chinese companies are expected to accelerate their global expansion, with Europe emerging as a key market. The Greater Zurich Area is well-positioned to benefit from this trend, given its economic stability, strong innovation ecosystem, and strategic location within Europe. Switzerland's reputation for quality, precision, and technological advancement makes it an attractive destination for Chinese firms seeking not only sales opportunities but also headquarters functions, research and development, and brand establishment. The growing demand for high-quality products and the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce further reinforce Switzerland's appeal.
Market potential remains one of the main drivers of Chinese investment decisions, but supply chain considerations are becoming increasingly significant. As major industries restructure their supply chains to be closer to key clients, Switzerland must find ways to integrate into these evolving networks. Battery manufacturers, for instance, are following the automotive sector's expansion into Hungary, creating a cluster effect that draws related industries to the region. Switzerland's ability to attract Chinese firms will depend on how well it aligns with these supply chain movements.
Despite its advantages, Switzerland faces intense competition from other European countries, such as the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, and the UK, which are actively positioning themselves as prime destinations for Chinese investment. Additionally, Switzerland is often perceived as too expensive, raising concerns about whether it offers sufficient investment returns. Overcoming these perceptions will require a targeted approach highlighting the country's long-term benefits, such as access to world-class talent, research institutions, and a robust regulatory framework fostering stability and innovation.
Another challenge lies in addressing investor concerns about Switzerland’s neutrality. Recent geopolitical shifts have made some question whether the country remains a neutral and reliable partner. Effectively communicating Switzerland’s commitment to neutrality and its value as a strategic gateway to Europe will be crucial in maintaining its attractiveness to Chinese firms. Furthermore, countries like the Netherlands have established close collaborations with major international consulting firms, offering structured solutions for Chinese companies looking to set up operations. Switzerland must enhance its cooperation with such advisory firms to remain competitive.
As Chinese companies continue their global expansion, Switzerland, particularly the Greater Zurich Area, is well-positioned to play a key role in fostering cross-border partnerships. Switzerland can deepen its economic ties with China and solidify its position as a leading European hub for high-tech innovation and investment by focusing on its strengths in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, fintech, and deep tech.
Rolf Bühler - Director Europe
Growth opportunities for tech scale-ups in Europe.
Key takeaways:
Zurich will host more European HQs.
Focus is on deep-tech markets and Israel.
Networks and clusters will be expanded.
Despite a challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, we continue to see strong potential in Europe for technology-driven scale-ups with high growth ambitions. Companies with research-intensive business models and a high level of innovation, in particular, find ideal conditions for international scaling in Europe - and especially in the Greater Zurich Area. GZA is clearly positioning itself as the preferred location for European headquarters, offering access to one of Europe’s most reliable and dynamic innovation ecosystems.
The Greater Zurich Area stands out with a unique set of locational advantages that appeal to both European and global companies: political stability, strong legal certainty, entrepreneurial freedom, low tax levels, and pragmatic, innovation-friendly regulation. These factors foster trust - especially in volatile times - and support the sustainable growth of tech companies.
Our market development activities in Europe focus on economically dynamic regions with a high density of deep-tech startups. These include, in particular, the UK, the Nordic countries, and neighboring countries such as Germany, France, Austria, and Italy. In these regions, we see a growing interest in moving closer to Switzerland - driven by the proximity to top talent, strong research institutions, and Zurich’s increasing international visibility.
Despite the difficult situation on the ground, Israel remains a key market for attracting high-tech scale-ups with a strong focus on Europe. Especially in sectors such as health tech (around the Sheba Medical Center and ARC innovation network), food and agritech, and ICT, there are strong synergies with the Swiss ecosystem. GZA specifically targets companies that want to set up a European HQ and expand their R&D footprint.
To identify and approach relevant companies, GZA is continuously expanding its strategic partnerships and networks in Europe and Israel. We rely on strong regional anchors, ambassadors, and tech-focused clusters to engage companies with the right DNA and inspire them to choose the Greater Zurich Area.
GZA annual report 2024
GZA annual report 2024
2024 saw international companies choosing the Greater Zurich Area as a launchpad for global success. With 91 new company settlements, strong performance in biotech, blockchain, cleantech, and a booming AI sector, the region confirmed its role as a leading innovation hub.
What’s behind the numbers?
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