The world's leading hub for innovation

Switzerland and the Greater Zurich Area in particular are world leaders in research, knowledge, and innovation. The established exchange between academic institutions and the private sector as well as access to highly qualified talent make the Greater Zurich Area a globally leading innovation hub.

Switzerland is considered the leading innovation hub in terms of highly innovative research and patent applications. Since 2011, Switzerland has been number one in the Global Innovation Index. The Greater Zurich Area plays a key role in the Swiss innovation network and is the motor of Switzerland's innovative strength.

Why Switzerland is leading in innovation:

Innovation is boosted by the close and frequent cooperation between research institutes and the private sector.
Greater Zurich has a large and diverse availability of a highly-qualified workforce, while attracting and retaining top global talent.
Innovation-friendly authorities in Switzerland regulate without hindering innovation. They act pragmatically and progressively and are in constant exchange with the industries concerned.

Discover the Greater Zurich Area as the ideal business location for future-oriented companies.

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The Greater Zurich Area has been ranked as the leading innovation hub worldwide for over a decade. Learn more about

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Greater Zurich is the world's leading innovation hub and an ideal location for international tech companies

Greater Zurich is among top 10 business locations in Europe

The fDi Report 2024 ranks the Greater Zurich Area as a leading business location in Europe for companies that want to expand internationally. As a global tech hub, Greater Zurich shines in the categories Economic Potential, Business Friendliness, and Human Capital & Lifestyle.

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Greater Zurich ranks in the 2024 fdi Report among the leading business locations in Europe

Startup ecosystem - a dynamo for tech start-ups

The three most important ingredients for a thriving startup ecosystem are talent, capital, and customers. With this, the Greater Zurich region has developed into a very attractive location for successful startups. There are leading universities, renowned companies, mentors, incubators, and accelerators. An innovation and business-friendly environment and a sense of entrepreneurial spirit round off the package.

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High innovation and research density

Innovation in Greater Zurich flourishes due to a concentration of top universities and research institutes, such as ETH Zurich, the institute for materials science and Technology Empa, the University of Zurich, and several universities of applied sciences. ETH Zurich, ranked the best university outside the USA and UK, has generated over 400 spin-offs in the past twenty years, demonstrating strong science-private sector collaboration. A World Economic Forum study even ranks Switzerland first in R&D collaborations. With 5.3 patents per 10,000 people, the Greater Zurich Area exhibits a high patent intensity on an international scale.

The dynamic innovation environment in the Greater Zurich Area has helped leading global companies such as Google, Disney Research, and Microsoft to jointly operate research laboratories with ETH Zurich.

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A business-friendly environment for innovation

The close collaboration between research institutes and the private sector as well as numerous accelerators and incubators create a dynamic environment for innovation in technologies such as life sciences, information technology, fintech and blockchain, robotics and intelligent systems and advanced production processes.

Switzerland is one of the most competitive economies in the world and the world leader in innovation. Companies benefit from economic and political stability, European market access, a highly qualified workforce, pragmatic regulations, a competitive tax system, and an excellent infrastructure.

Business-friendliness

Access to talent is guaranteed in the Greater Zurich Area

Highly skilled employees for all corporate functions, a flexible job market, and business-friendly regulations draw easily innovative global companies, SMEs, and start-ups into Greater Zurich. Switzerland ranks regularly as the top country worldwide for talent, talent competitiveness, and talent retention, according to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index and the World Talent Ranking. Furthermore, the high quality of life in Greater Zurich makes the area particularly attractive for top managers and their families.

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Join Greater Zurich's lifestyle and fashion tech ecosystem

Ticino, Greater Zurich's geographic extension to the south, is a hidden gem for startups at the heart of Europe. Over the last few years, it has nurtured a growing ecosystem where startups, big tech, international corporations and universities are working hand-in-hand. There is a mix of unique factors that makes Ticino particularly attractive for start-ups working in fashion, food, travel, design and other lifestyle-related industries.

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