The Italian speaking Canton of Ticino is an internationally renowned location for innovation, where the constant strengthening of the framework conditions, and the presence of important technological competences, has created a favourable ecosystem for the development of innovative business.
Located just south of the beautiful Swiss Alps, Ticino offers a strategic geographic position as a bridge between Northern and Southern Europe and its two of the strongest and most dynamic economic areas: Lombardy – with Milan at its heart – and Zurich.
Canton Ticino harmoniously unites the Swiss accuracy and reliability with the Italian flexibility, resulting in an excellent combination of creativity and sound economic development.
Thanks to the mild climate and the attractive landscapes, Ticino is one of the main touristic locations in Switzerland, but at the same time, it showcases a wide array of business activities:
- a solid industrial sector with innovative and export-oriented SMEs;
- the historic life sciences sector has been recently witnessing the growth of a new cluster of biotech companies in Bellinzona thanks to the various research institutes located in the area;
- driven by the top-notch competences of the Institute Dalle Molle for Artificial Intelligence, a number of companies are emerging in the artificial intelligence sector;
- home of several headquarters of MNCs;
- Lugano is also the third largest finance market in Switzerland, with very ambitious projects also in the crypto and blockchain field.
The local companies can count on the support of numerous research institutes, such as:
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence IDSIA
- Institute of Research in Biomedicine
- Institute of Oncology Research
- Department of Innovative Technologies at SUPSI
- Institute of Computational Sciences
- Software Institute
- Swiss National Supercomputing Center
The economic promotion office can provide advice and support to foreign companies for an easy and smooth settlement.
Virtually explore Ticino!
Virtually explore Ticino!
Explore Ticino and the rest of the Greater Zurich Area with our virtual platform. Discover vibrant tech ecosystems and academic environment, and find the ideal space for your business, whether it's an industrial site, tech park, lab space, or co-working space. Start your virtual journey today and unlock the region's potential!
Ecosystem
- Predominant industries
Life sciences, lifestyle-tech, mechatronic, information and communications technology - Flagship companies
Helsinn Healthcare SA, Humabs BioMed SA, Guess Europe Sagl, Agie Charmilles SA - Recent additions
UBS Business Solution Center for the research of AI application in finance and the recent settlement of the biotech company Peptone
Links
Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino
With the Innovation Park, we are creating in Ticino a unique platform that promotes the collaboration between researchers, high-tech companies, and startups to spark inventive activities, develop and test sustainable and innovative ideas.
Industrial Site Biasca
Industrial Site Biasca
Your urbanized industrial area offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and direct access to highway and railway. Just over 2 hours to both Zurich and Milan.
Featured initiative: Lugano's Plan B
Lugano's Plan ₿ is a joint initiative between the City of Lugano and Tether to accelerate the use of and leverage bitcoin technology as the foundation to transform the city’s financial infrastructure.
The plan will scale blockchain and Bitcoin throughout the city to positively impact all facets of daily life for the residents of Lugano. From small transactions with local merchants to more significant efforts – such as paying annual taxes – blockchain will serve as the foundation for the city’s financial exchanges.
More public partners
More public partners
The Greater Zurich Area Foundation and the operational Greater Zurich Area Ltd. (GZA) are supported by 11 public partners. This anchors the organization in the regional business spheres within the economic area from which settling companies benefit.
Meet with an expansion expert
Our services are free of charge and include:
- Introduction to key contacts in industry, academia, and government
- Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor, market, and setting up a company
- Custom-made fact-finding visits, including office and co-working space