As we reflect on 2024, the Greater Zurich Area celebrates a landmark year of impressive new future-proof companies joining our ecosystem, and milestones solidifying our position as a global innovation hub. This year has been extraordinary, not only for the strides we’ve made in AI, space, and biotech, but also for celebrating the 25th anniversary of our organization - a quarter-century of fostering innovation and excellence.
Exciting settlements and developments
In 2024, we welcomed many exciting and pioneering companies to the Greater Zurich Area, among them:
- Estun Robotics: A leading Chinese robotics company expanding its European presence.
- OpenAI and Anthropic: Two of the most popular AI companies at the moment set up shop in Zurich, enriching Greater Zurich's AI hub even further. Want to dive deeper and learn why the Greater Zurich region is becoming Europe’s go-to AI hub? Subscribe to our 5-part AI series.
- CarbonX: A breakthrough in sustainable manufacturing solutions.
Greater Zurich's role as a global space hub takes shape with the recent establishment of Starlab Space. Starlab Space is set to drive the future of space exploration and the New Space Economy from the Greater Zurich Area, fostering innovation in aerospace technologies as part of the space hub initiative.
Not only are newly settled companies thriving in our global innovation hub; also established companies are growing and thriving in the Greater Zurich Area: Google Switzerland just celebrated its 20-year anniversary in Zurich, one of the tech giant's largest R&D hubs outside the US with over 5'000 employees (called "Zooglers") and contributing significantly to the local tech ecosystem. Read more about their 2-decade-long success story in the Greater Zurich Area.
The strength of personal experiences
In 2024, we proudly welcomed three new GZA Ambassadors to our growing network. Representing diverse fields both within Switzerland and internationally, these outstanding individuals bring invaluable expertise and first-hand experiences to showcase the advantages of the Greater Zurich Area.
- Daniela Marino: CEO and Co-founder of CUTISS, a Swiss life-science company revolutionizing regenerative medicine with denovoSkin, a personalized skin graft that grows with patients and reduces scarring, especially in children.
- Marco Hutter: Professor of Robotics at ETH Zurich and Co-founder of ANYbotics. In 2024, he joined Boston Dynamics’ AI Institute Zurich as Senior Director of Research, advancing intelligent robotics for challenging terrains.
- Oliver Ullrich: Professor and Director of the UZH Space Hub and Head of the Center for Space & Aviation, specializing in space medicine and cell biology. As President of the Swiss SkyLab Foundation and leader of the Swiss Parabolic Flight Program, he drives innovation in the New Space Economy and has received numerous international awards.
The beauty of our economic region - Explore now easily and sustainably
We believe in future-proofing our region — not just for today’s economy, but for tomorrow’s sustainable world. That's why we launched our Virtual Site Visits Platform, offering a sustainable and interactive way to explore our economic region, the beautiful scenery, key players, available sites, and thriving ecosystems without needing physical travel.
Greater Zurich continues to top international rankings
Switzerland, and particularly the Greater Zurich Area, consistently leads global rankings for innovation, talent, and quality of life. This solidifies our region as an ideal destination for international companies looking to grow and thrive. Explore the latest rankings here:
- Top business expansion location in Europe: Recognized by fDi's Regions of the Future 2024 report for our business-friendly environment and investment potential.
- World’s most innovative country: Switzerland leads the Global Innovation Index for the 14th consecutive year, reflecting our commitment to research and development.
- Global talent hub: Switzerland remains the most attractive country for talent, excelling in attracting, retaining, and developing skilled professionals.
- Europe's hottest tech center: Forbes named Switzerland "Europe's hottest tech center", which goes hand-in-hand with ETH Zurich being ranked repeatably among the world’s top universities and is renowned for its excellence in technology and engineering.
- Highest quality of life: Zurich offers the highest standard of living worldwide, with excellent infrastructure, low crime rates, and a vibrant cultural scene.
A highly dynamic technology hub
Beyond new settlements and initiatives, the Greater Zurich Area is buzzing with dynamic developments and visionary individuals driving impactful projects. Discover the stories and people making the Greater Zurich Area move:
- Talent Stories: Read inspiring stories highlighting the experiences of international talents settling in Switzerland.
- Innovative Robotics: Discover how robotics empower everyday life in our region, with advancements enhancing both industry and daily living.
- Swiss Drone Industry Report: Explore insights into Switzerland’s thriving drone ecosystem and its future prospects.
- Cleantech Innovation: Find out why cleantech thrives in the Greater Zurich Area, driven by a commitment to sustainability and innovation.
- Crypto’s Next Chapter: Examine the new opportunities emerging in the Greater Zurich Area's crypto landscape under MiCA regulations.
- Space Economy: Learn about the initiatives positioning the Greater Zurich Area at the forefront of the burgeoning space economy.
