Tag: Innovation

NEST office unit demonstrates potential for circulation

A new unit went into operation on Tuesday in the NEST research and innovation building of the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute ( Empa ) and the ETH Domain's water research institute ( Eawag). As Empa in a message emphasized the office module called is Sprint was completed in just ten months. This demonstrates that building with reused materials and components is “a viable alternative to building with new material”. It “meets the market requirements for flexible and fast building”.

The entire unit follows the so-called design for disassembly approach. If necessary, the flexible partitions could be dismantled. This enables flexible use of space and the recycling of built-in materials.

The still existing skepticism of the construction industry about the reuse of materials is unjustified. Contrary to initial concerns about the tight schedule, "we were even able to find the re-use materials faster than new material," is quoted from Kerstin Müller, architect and business service member at the Basel construction office in situ , which planned the sprint unit.

In addition, reuse is not yet cheaper given the current market situation. However, that will change as soon as a competitive market has developed, believes component hunter Oliver Seidel from in situ. In addition, there is a need for CO2 taxation, "which relieves the cost of new materials and used materials in order to be able to quantify the ecological added value."

September 2021
TTS Inova wins Schaffhauser innovation award

Every two years the Industry and Business Association Schaffhausen ( IVS ) and the ITS Industry and Techno Center Schaffhausen host the IVS Innovation Prize of the Schaffhauser Platzbanken . It is awarded to companies from the Schaffhausen economic area for developing and successfully placing an innovative product on the market. Criterion for awarding the prize are, among other things, the profitability and the economic potential of the innovation.

This year 23 companies competed for the award. Among them, TTS Inova from Thayngen SH won the prize and a prize money of 10,000 francs, the IVS informed in a message. The family company, which specializes in trimmings and technical textiles, was awarded for an elastic geothermal probe. “Our product is food-compliant, so it can also be used in areas where you would otherwise not be able to install a geothermal heat pump,” owner Simon Bernath is quoted in the press release.

The young company Imnoo from Buchberg SH came second with its artificial intelligence-based application for milled and turned parts. “Calculating technical parts is time-consuming and requires a great deal of specialist knowledge, which usually only a few people in the SME – and not infrequently only the managing director himself – has”, explains Inmo co-founder Jonas Albergatti.

Savvy Telematic Systems AG took third place with its sensor for rail transport wagons. In the last competition in 2019, the company from the canton capital won first prize for a sensor for automatic flat spot detection in rail transport. The Tanne Schaffhausen restaurant received a special award for its ethical and ecological business model.

September 2021
The digital, meaningful and forgery-proof alternative to the debt enforcement extract

There is an enormous amount of dynamism in the real estate market. The apartment carousel also rotates correspondingly quickly. Supply and demand find each other easily and directly via digital platforms. Because the web clearly shows what the rental property has to offer. In the further process, however, the creditworthiness of the potential tenant remained opaque until a year ago. Despite the excerpt from the debt enforcement register that those interested in the rental property had to submit. Because even this document, which at that time still had no alternative and was therefore indispensable, with a cumbersome name and the same procurement method, did not provide the landlord with any clarity. On the one hand, the conventional extract only shows the debt enforcement situation at the current place of residence. Any debt enforcement proceedings at previous places of residence remain invisible – the more than 400 debt enforcement offices in Switzerland are not networked. On the other hand, the document, which is still issued on paper, can be ‘corrected’ fairly easily. Accordingly, trickery is often used here with unpleasant entries.

More trust, less uncertainty with CreditTrust …
It is therefore not surprising that the newly developed CreditTrust certificate, launched in 2020, has established itself as an innovative and extremely reliable creditworthiness certificate with property managers within a few months. The digital, blockchain-secured certificate cannot be falsified, uses the two largest creditworthiness databases in Switzerland to determine solvency and only brings advantages on all sides: the landlord minimizes his risk of rent defaults many times over and the prospective tenant can deal with it within show the certificate issued in three minutes as really solvent and trustworthy.

… and gain a multiple of security and expressiveness
Almost as quickly, the CreditTrust certificate made it into the group of nominees for this year’s Real Estate Award in the management category. The award recognizes key projects and innovations that change the market and give impetus to the Swiss real estate world. The joy of all three companies involved in the development of the CreditTrust certificate – Intrum AG, CRIF AG and Certifaction AG – about the nomination was correspondingly great: Manuel Zollikofer, CRIF AG, Benoit Henry, Certifaction AG and Martin Honegger, Intrum AG, are themselves unanimously: “The nomination is valuable recognition. It confirms to us that with CreditTrust we have created a radical innovation that the market has been waiting for. ” The founders and innovators are well aware of the real estate industry’s difficulties with the debt enforcement extract: “We are proud to have set a new digital standard together. CreditTrust has not simply replaced the debt enforcement register extract. The digital certificate is many times more secure, more meaningful and more digital than a conventional debt collection register extract. “

A large market is open to the reliable, digital certificate
The CreditTrust certificate entered the market with great success. It is to be expected that the digital certificate will soon completely replace the conventional debt enforcement register extract due to its qualities and advantages. In view of the 3.2 million debt enforcement register extracts ordered annually in Switzerland for a variety of purposes, the predicate ‘radical innovation’ for CreditTrust does not only apply to its effect in the real estate industry.

August 2021
Far superior to drones

New construction projects can be digitally modeled using drone recordings. With the help of software, the planned object is, so to speak, “inserted” into the property and surroundings images received by the drone. This Building Information Modeling (BIM) creates realistic visualizations of a new building project in two or three-dimensional views. Object-strategic statements can thus be made reliably, quickly and cheaply.
Drones are also used for construction-related work themselves. One of the most recent applications is the computer-controlled use of drones for painting facades. The flying robotic helpers can be controlled very precisely and can fly very close to a wall. So it is possible to paint facades without work preparation and erection of scaffolding. In addition to saving time, this is also a step forward in terms of safety on the construction site.
Another area of application is that for inspections and damage tests of buildings and structures – for example the use of drones for roof inspections. Due to the high altitudes and good stabilization in flight, drones can also be used in historic buildings, such as churches. But drones can also be used comfortably and safely to check building cracks, glass damage or hard-to-reach areas. Thanks to the high resolution of the images, even the finest damage can be detected and these images can be saved for later documentation purposes.
You can find impulses around innovations in the real estate and construction industry here: https://hubs.li/H0RQl480

August 2021
The federal government wants to strengthen Switzerland as a location for start-ups

In the opinion of the Federal Council, Switzerland as a start-up location is generally well positioned. In some areas, however, there is still room for improvement. The Federal Departments of Economic Affairs, Education and Research and of Justice and Police are now to examine measures on behalf of the Federal Council with which the location could be further strengthened.

According to a communication , the Federal Council sees potential for improvement in the areas of technology transfer, internationalization, access to skilled workers and financing. He also emphasizes that “numerous states have launched extensive programs to support start-ups in recent years”. He therefore also wants to have the advantages and disadvantages of a Swiss innovation fund examined comprehensively. In particular, it should be made clear to what extent such a fund could expand the risk capital market in Switzerland and thus improve the growth opportunities of innovative companies.

August 2021
Focus on ecosystems

An ecosystem is basically the interaction between different stakeholders in a defined area of a human need – for example mobility, health or living. The increasing trend towards ecosystems can be seen in different areas of life. Depending on their relationship with the end consumer, the various players in an ecosystem can assume three different roles: that of the “orchestrator”, that of the “implementer” or that of the “enabler”.
The orchestrator has direct contact with the end customer and takes over the management of the customer interface via a digital B2C platform. Well-known examples are Amazon or Airbnb. Put simply, these companies are responsible for identifying the needs of customers and matching them with the right products and services from companies. In this context, the latter are the implementers – in the “living” ecosystem, for example, providers of PropTech solutions or insurers and banks themselves with their respective products and services. The companies that act as supporters for the other two groups are enablers . These do not come into direct contact with the end consumer. In fact, most companies in an ecosystem are enablers – such as suppliers of product components or software. They form the backbone of the ecosystem, so to speak.
This interaction is essential in the increasing battle for market share. That is why more and more insurance companies and banks are also participating directly in PropTech companies – among other things, in order to be able to offer their services in a more user-friendly and cost-efficient manner by means of digitizing their own value chain. The extent to which insurers and banks will play the role of orchestrators in the future remains to be seen. What is certain is that you can secure customer interfaces through a functioning ecosystem – because many experts agree: In the future, the focus will be on digital ecosystems.
You can find more impulses on the topic here: https://proptechmarket.net/impulse

August 2021
Drone creates digital twin of Zurich

Wingtra , a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ), manufactures special drones for aerial photography and remote sensing. It combines the positive properties of multi-rotors and fixed-wing aircraft. The Wingtra drone takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter. At the same time, however, it flies forward as efficiently as an airplane. Thanks to its high payload, the drone can also carry a wide range of cameras.

Wingtra recently launched the WingtraOne GEN II. This drone enables a new, angled camera configuration for high-quality 3D drone mapping. In order to use the development immediately, Wingtra has created a digital twin of the city of Zurich.

According to a media release , the drone only needed six hours of flight for the 3D mapping of the city of Zurich. One pixel in the 3D model corresponds to 3 centimeters of information from the real world. It thus represents "a completely new level of detail".

According to Maximilian Boosfeld, co-founder and CEO of Wingtra, the new Dorohne is “the perfect choice for capturing infrastructure – from a single industrial plant to entire cities”. Detailed 3D data could help city administrations, town planners, engineers and architects, for example, to increase the quality of life in urban areas, to plan critical infrastructures and to simulate changes in the environment.

August 2021
Greater Zurich Area nominated as Innovation Place of the Year

The portal Die Deutsche Wirtschaft wants to award the innovation location in Switzerland, Germany and Austria for the year. Six locations were nominated for this. These are not cities, but rather universities, business development agencies or regions, for example. The goal is to find “exemplary examples of new thinking in various fields”, according to the portal's website.

The Greater Zurich Area is also among the nominees. It competes against KölnBusiness, Munich Urban Colab, Reutlingen INNOPORT, MCCI Innsbruck The Entrepreneurial University and d.velelop Campus Münsterland.

Anyone interested can vote for a location on the website of Die Deutsche Wirtschaft. The result of the vote will be communicated at the end of July. People who vote can win prizes.

July 2021
Visualization solutions: an emotional stimulus

Whether renting or selling – the demand for visualization solutions in the real estate and construction industry is increasing noticeably. Depending on whether it is an existing property or a new construction project, different solutions are used. With the former, 360 ° tours are often used – increasingly interactive, with the latter often virtual reality solutions – adapted to the property and the target group.
Not every buyer or tenant can imagine an empty room furnished. This is where virtual home staging solutions help to make the sparks jump. With this tool, inexpensive condominiums or rental properties can also be designed in a visually appealing way and thus conveyed more quickly. Further solutions enable the virtual inspection of rooms that are yet to be built. Using stand-alone virtual reality glasses, planning errors can be seen virtually and thus avoided later. In addition, planned trades can be inspected together – for example with the client or architect. The "immersion" and actual experience of the premises gives security and a good feeling.
In addition, there are also complete virtual solutions on the market that digitally map different phases of the real estate cycle: from the outlined project vision and prototyping to visualization concepts for marketing and management.
You can find an overview of quality-checked visualization solutions here:
https://proptechmarket.net/tools

July 2021
Houzy is growing rapidly

Houzy continues to grow rapidly. As the PropTech start-up of the same name reports, the number of users of the platform has risen from 5,000 to 50,000 since the beginning of 2020. According to a press release, this growth is due to the strong need of homeowners for more transparency and well-founded information about their house or apartment.

Therefore, Houzy integrated a Switzerland-wide mortgage comparison in the first half of 2021. Other functions such as the plant manager, the neophyte checker and the solar calculator have been updated and expanded. At the same time, the development team has simplified and improved all tools, including the renewal fund analysis and the heating and renovation calculator.

From the available data and results, Houzy derives recommendations for planning any renovation work that is due or reminds them that it is time to change the windows. In addition, the Houzy network now has more than 700 craftsmen. To celebrate the milestone, the company is offering CHF 5,000 for a residential project as part of a competition.

June 2021
PropTech: The 3 most important Success Drivers

According to the Gartner Hype Cycle, every new technology is initially subject to high or exaggerated expectations. After a “cycle of disappointment” follows a “phase of enlightenment”, from which solutions then arise at a realistically increasing level of productivity. Data science, robots and drones, virtual and augmented reality or artificial intelligence are just a few of these basic technologies. The blockchain is one of the last technological hype triggers. We will see promising developments and use cases in these areas over the next few years.
The challenge for a PropTech company is to develop a successful business model or product or service with the corresponding problem-solving potential and scalability from one of these basic technologies. In this context one often hears terms like SaaS or DSaaS. “Software as a Service” (SaaS) is a cloud service model in which applications and data are located in the cloud and thus on the PropTech provider's servers. With “Data Science as a Service” (DSaaS), the data supplied to the cloud is processed by the provider, analyzed using an algorithm and fed back to the customer as findings.
But this is only one side of the coin. The established companies in the real estate industry must also recognize the added value of these products and services and be prepared to pay for them. The driver for real estate entrepreneurs will certainly be the cost and efficiency side, but also or above all the needs of their customers. Anyone who aligns their business model to a megatrend – such as sustainability, big data or future work – is fundamentally not wrong here.
You can find out more about successful business models here:
https://proptechmarket.net/loesungen

June 2021
PropTech trend has reached investors

A lot of capital is currently flowing into startups. In 2020, over CHF 2 billion flowed into Swiss start-ups. Across Europe, more than 500 million euros per year have recently been invested in startups dedicated to digitizing the real estate industry (source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2021, European PropTech Trends 2020). In addition to professional venture capital companies, it is increasingly corporate investors and business angels who want to cut a piece of the (PropTech) pie here. This is due, on the one hand, to the situation on the financial markets – keyword negative interest rates – but on the other hand it is certainly also due to the digital transformation and the efforts of companies to secure appropriate product know-how in the company.

But how does a startup actually define itself? Not every young entrepreneur is automatically a startup entrepreneur. According to the definition of the Swiss Startup Radar, a scalable business model and ambitious growth plans must be in place and the focus must also be on international sales markets. The business model is based on a science and technology-based approach and a focus on innovation. Last but not least: the donors are return-oriented, their investments should pay off.

Funding generally takes place in different financing rounds. Depending on the development stage, one speaks of seed investments, Series A and Series B financing rounds for the early phases, Series C, D, E, etc. for the later stages – until a possible exit follows at some point, for example through an IPO or the sale to a large investor. An exit is, so to speak, an indicator of the “maturity” of a startup ecosystem and is important for the system’s own dynamism: it produces selling (previous) investors and founders who, in turn, reinvest in new startups or re-establish startups.

You can read more about innovation strategy and startup financing here:
https://proptechmarket.net/impulse

June 2021
City Pop: New app for microliving

City Pop combines the need for microliving apartments with social living. This is how City Pop differs significantly from other microliving providers. «Our app should meet the needs of our guests and meet the requirements for sustainable living. All services relevant to everyday life can be accessed centrally in one place and are easy to use. We also want to provide tenants with an uncomplicated platform on which they can network and exchange ideas. The aim is to create a real community that helps new tenants to integrate into the respective city, ”explains Manuel Sassella, CEO of City Pop.
Innovation and flexibility
The app is the heart of City Pop and the key to the City Pop apartments and the associated services. For example, the apartment can be viewed autonomously before booking. A time slot can be reserved via the app during which individual access to the apartment is possible. Booking and management of the rental agreement for the apartment, ancillary rooms and services are also carried out directly via the app. City Pop confirms the conclusion of the contract in just under 30 minutes and unlocks the virtual house key. «Last year we focused on creating a new and leaner user interface – using solid, secure and scalable technologies. A brand new, engaging and interactive experience that adapts to the needs of our guests, not the other way around. The focus is on innovation and maximum flexibility, ”says Alex Sassella, City Pop's Chief Technology Officer and responsible for the development of the app. The experiences and needs of the guests are continuously integrated into the further development of the entire City Pop concept via the app's feedback functions and thus also flow into the future design of the houses and apartments.
Community idea in the foreground
In addition to the additional services such as laundry and cleaning service, delivery service or car and bike sharing, the app also offers "house chat" – the opportunity to easily get in touch with neighbors, to meet up and exchange ideas. The “Around you” column shows what offers and activities are available in the area. City Pop's social living concept includes not only virtual, but also physical spaces that are intended to promote exchange, such as common rooms for events and coworking spaces.
City Pop is expanding nationally and internationally
City Pop is the first provider in Switzerland to have developed a holistic microliving concept in which living space, innovative technology and social community ideas go hand in hand. The implementation takes place at national and international level. In Switzerland, the Swiss company offers apartments in Zurich and Lugano. The occupancy rate in the apartments is over 98% on average. Further projects in Lausanne, Zurich, Geneva and Basel are under construction and will be ready for occupancy over the next two years. In addition, City Pop took over around 1,300 apartments in Switzerland and Europe last year, which are currently being converted in accordance with the City Pop concept. Including cities like Milan, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Dublin, Berlin, Frankfurt and Prague. City Pop aims to operate 15,000 apartments in 57 major European cities by 2025.
Further information on City Pop's innovative living concept is available at: www.citypop.com
Download the app from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store

June 2021
Global Real Estate Run: Event with follow-up boost

Almost 1,400 participants from 46 countries and 6 continents ran for the “good cause” and set a sustainable example. With the cultivation of 6,000 trees, one for every kilometer covered, approx. 132 tons of CO2 are offset per year.
According to the motto “Do good and talk about it”, the organizers thank all participants and look forward to one or the other great additional commitment as part of the running event sponsored by Homegate AG , SPG Intercity Zurich AG and PropTechMarket in Switzerland. Numerous pictures, insights and experiences were shared on the set up social media wall.
Meno Lammers, founder of the PropTech for Good initiative in the Netherlands, collected a lot of rubbish from the roadside on the 6-kilometer route and thus gave the sustainability initiative its own “green stamp”. Others, on the other hand, used the Global Real Estate Run for their team building and were pleasantly surprised that the team spirit is still absolutely present despite the minimized exchange opportunities during the lockdowns. H&B Real Estate awaited the participating employees in Zurich with a spontaneous Slow Food aperitif and outdoor exchange. BuildingMinds, based in Berlin, used the participation for new employees to not only see their colleagues via virtual collaboration platforms, but also to get to know them personally in corona-compliant teams of two. PriceHubble was represented by 100 employees, friends and families in several countries – in Japan, Tunisia, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine and Singapore. Photos and videos were shared on a dedicated Slack channel, thus reawakening the international team spirit even in times of canceled business flights. However, many participants simply enjoyed the run for themselves, as a short break "to ventilate their heads" and to make room for new ideas.
More stories and posts at:
globalrealestaterun.com/socialmediawall

May 2021
New energy solutions at the start

The use of fossil fuels still dominates, especially in the area of heating living space. Thanks to innovative technologies, new climate-friendly alternatives are emerging here – for example, heating with sea thermal systems or the use of waste heat from computers. Both approaches use existing heat sources to heat buildings.
Lake thermal energy is one of the youngest forms of energy generation and makes use of the lakes as huge heat stores. In summer, the lakes absorb the sun's warmth and give it off slowly. Even when it is below zero, the lake water retains a certain temperature in the depths – ideal for extracting heat from the water in the lower layers and using it as a natural source of heat. The water is then returned to the lake in a cooler condition. This is harmless to the ecosystem and to a certain extent even counteracts climatic warming. With this technology, the largest lake thermal project in Switzerland is successfully launched in Lucerne.
The Paris startup “Qarnot” takes a different approach and relies on the waste heat from computers. Instead of laboriously cooling computers in large server rooms, they are built into radiators. In this way, data flows in the radiators instead of water. The decentralized computing power is sold to large companies, the digital radiators themselves to private households. After the initial investment, they no longer have any heating costs. The more heat is desired, the more data power is generated. The data is encrypted and is not saved, so it is not possible to trace which data is flowing. The same thing works with hot water boilers – an entire residential complex in Bordeaux has already been equipped with this technology. Due to the increasing amounts of data around the world, the future potential seems enormous.
Read more about intelligent solutions here:
https://proptechmarket.net/loesungen

April 2021
Innosuisse aims to promote high-risk projects with a lot of potential

The federal government has set the strategic goals for Innosuisse for the years 2021 to 2024. According to a media release , he expects the agency to focus on projects with a higher risk and "above-average economic potential". The selection should be made after “careful consideration” of the projects.

Innosuisse should also focus on thematic tenders. The aim is to ensure that innovation topics of "great and cross-sectoral importance" are taken up. This includes the federal government, for example, key issues of digitization as well as challenges in connection with sustainability or coping with the corona pandemic.

Innosuisse should also ensure that SMEs have easy access to the services of research institutions. The agency should attach great importance to young companies that come from the university environment.

Innosuisse will also be commissioned to implement the Swiss Innovation Power Initiative in 2021 and 2022. The program is intended to help companies maintain their innovation activities despite the recession phase. This is not only in the interests of companies, but also important for the competitiveness of Switzerland as a business location.

Innosuisse is a federal institution under public law with its own legal personality. Through the agency, the federal government promotes science-based innovation in Switzerland.

April 2021
What does artificial intelligence have to do with facility management?

The topic of artificial intelligence has definitely left its “laboratory status ” behind. AI-based solutions are increasingly being integrated into everyday work. In essence, it is not about the “ learning ” technology itself, but about the data behind it. The technological solution takes over the collection, storage, processing and use of the data entered. The interplay between human and artificial intelligence will be decisive for future innovations. Those companies that use AI sensibly will be prepared for the challenges of the future and will gain decisive competitive advantages.
AI-based solutions have also found their way into facility management. Building cleaning is a very expensive subject and cleaning agents, energy and time are often used more than necessary – this is not only unecological, but also uneconomical. With the help of artificial intelligence, the use of resources can be optimized and costs can be significantly reduced.
The Swiss startup Soobr offers a usage-oriented AI solution here. The existing performance and building data are read into the software, whereupon the AI plans the daily tours based on factors such as room distances, room priority, number and duration of cleaning. The occupancy of the individual rooms can also be integrated into the operational planning via room sensors, so that cleaning can be carried out precisely where it is really necessary. The cleaning staff are guided through the respective tours by means of an app on mobile devices, whereby you can feed the AI with feedback and documentation. Dynamic route planning increases efficiency, saves time and money in route planning and increases transparency for data evaluation.
You can find more about digital helpers in the real estate and construction industry at: https://proptechmarket.net/solutions

March 2021
Innovation Park Zurich has billions of potential

The Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich foundation commissioned the economic research institute BAK Economics to carry out a scientific study on the economic significance of the Zurich Innovation Park (IPZ ). The study comes to the conclusion that the direct and indirect added value of the IPS could add up to around 2.7 billion francs per year if fully expanded. With a share of 90 percent of the total value added, the canton of Zurich would benefit particularly strongly.

The extensive study is divided into seven sections, ranging from the motivation for the analysis, the importance of innovation for the economy and society, the position of the Canton of Zurich in the innovation competition, to a detailed evaluation of the role that the Innovation Park Zurich plays in promoting growth and Prosperity could play rich. The study confirms that the canton of Zurich is underrepresented in industry, particularly in the high-tech sectors. According to the study authors, the IPZ could make a decisive contribution to upgrading the canton as an innovation location.

According to the authors, the IPZ could form the “risk area” necessary for transformation innovations in addition to the corresponding risk capital. The park should position itself as a "link between universities, research institutes, the start-up scene and research-based industry", according to the study. Structures created there could enable “global players” to settle in innovative areas such as “mobility, space travel, aviation, robotics, greentech or new materials”.

The Zurich Chamber of Commerce ( ZHK ) sees the results of the study as confirmation of their longstanding support for the innovation park. They show how important this is for the business and research location, she writes in a statement on the study. The ZHK hopes that the added value of the innovation park will lead to an acceleration of the ongoing procedures.

February 2021
Switzerland is one of the most innovative countries in the world

Switzerland ranks third worldwide in the current Bloomberg Innovation Index. This means that it has moved up one place compared to the previous year. Only South Korea and Singapore cut ahead of it. This makes Switzerland the most innovative country in Europe and overtakes Germany, which has fallen three places to fourth place compared to the previous year.

A total of 60 countries are listed in the index. They are assessed on the basis of topics such as research and development, production capability and the concentration of listed high-tech companies. The respective countries can achieve a maximum of 100 points.

Switzerland received an overall rating of 87.60 points this year. It did particularly well in the area of research and development. It ranks third for research intensity and fourth for concentration on researchers. Switzerland is also one of the top five countries in terms of manufacturing and value creation. She has some catching up to do with patents in particular.

February 2021
Corona gives visualization solutions a boost

From 3D tours with and without robots to drone recordings and automated interior design, there are a variety of PropTech solutions that have become irreplaceable, especially in times of Corona. Get to know these tools and use them to optimize your sales, rental, management and construction processes! Click on the banner and register free of charge for the online seminar on January 7, 2021 at 9 a.m.
https://proptechmarket.net/tpost/ogldb6kce1-reconnect-visualisierung-in-der-immobili

January 2021
Innosuisse promotes Blackstone Resources

The Swiss innovation agency Innosuisse will subsidize the development project of Blackstone Resources AG , which is estimated at 1.3 million francs. She has promised a grant of 50 percent. According to a media release from Blackstone Resources, this commitment will help finance the development of solid-state electrolytes and a “sophisticated” production simulation of 3D-printed solid-state batteries.

The Baar-based company relies on lithium-ion batteries with solid-state electrolytes. Their industrial production is based on Blackstone's own 3D printing process, the press release said. A research consortium consisting of Blackstone Resources, the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) and the Bern University of Applied Sciences will upscale the synthesis of solid-state electrolytes developed by Empa.

Because the electrolyte, i.e. the conductive part of the battery, is solid, solid-state batteries have several advantages: They are non-flammable and cannot leak. They manage without cooling, which increases their energy density and thus their storage capacity. And theoretically they can be loaded faster. Car manufacturers in particular are hoping for them because they could solve the range problem of electric cars.

Against this background, Blackstone Resources AG sees “solid electrolytes as a key component for the next generation of battery technology” and will produce this technology “independently” in the future.

December 2020
Empa presents three innovation awards

The Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) has honored three of its groundbreaking projects and achievements with the Empa Innovation Award. The prize, endowed with CHF 5,000, has been awarded every two years since 2006. In doing so, Empa honors the efforts of its researchers to build further bridges between science and business with applied, market-oriented research.

According to a press release by Empa, the first prize goes to the novel tissue adhesive technology Nanoglue. It was developed by researchers at the Particles-Biology Interactions Laboratory at Empa in St.Gallen in collaboration with the Nanoparticle Systems Engineering Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich . Their radically new approach uses the wound-healing properties of inorganic nanoparticles. The inexpensive materials could be manufactured on a large scale. The “unique technology” is now being brought to market maturity by the Zurich start-up anavo medical , which has yet to be founded.

The transparent face mask from the Hello Mask project by Empa and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne ( EPFL ) also received an award. It consists of a fine membrane with a pore size of around 100 nanometers. This membrane allows air to pass through, but holds back viruses and bacteria. “The fully see-through mask was developed primarily with the aim of improving the relationship between caregivers and patients,” says researcher Joshua Avossa. The Geneva start-up HMCare has been working on the market launch of the Hello Mask from Empa and EPFL since 2020. It should be available in mid-2021.

The software platform Urban Sympheny for planning sustainable energy systems is the third winner. The Empa spin-off of the same name, based in Dübendorf, helps planners to identify optimal solutions for their location and their customers. The goal is energy and cost efficiency. The innovative platform was developed in Empa’s Urban Energy Systems department. Last year Venture Kick awarded Urban Sympheny 50,000 francs.

December 2020
Window manufacturer 4B wins innovation award

4B AG , based in Hochdorf, is one of the winners of the Innovation Award 2020/21, which was presented for the first time by the Swiss Institute for Quality Tests ( SIQT ). The award is based on the number of patents held by Swiss companies between 2017 and 2019. The jury took into account data from both the Swiss Patent Office and those from foreign patent offices. The winners of the prize are companies or research institutions that “have an above-average score” in their segment or in a CPC class (Cooperative Patent Classification), explains the SIQT in a press release.

4B AG is continuously developing new products and services. For this purpose, the window manufacturer operates its own innovation department with product management, development and a test laboratory. One of the company’s developments is a threshold-free balcony door. However, 4B also researches the topic of intelligent windows, for example. “Windows are currently becoming more and more intelligent and will be able to carry out increasingly smart functions in the future,” the company explains in a press release . Intelligent windows should, for example, increase energy efficiency and simplify the handling and maintenance of windows.

4B is owned by the Bachmann family and was created in 1896 from the joinery of the same name. The company employs more than 660 people and most recently achieved annual sales of around 170 million francs.

December 2020
Association for sustainable building is founded

The newly created Association for Sustainable Building Biological Building (VNBB) aims to make the construction industry more sustainable and climate-friendly. To this end, knowledge and skills are to be promoted and integrated into vocational training.

As stated in a press release, the non-profit organization was initiated by Dr. Thea Rauch-Schwegler from the Baubioswiss Association over the past few years. Timber construction Switzerland , building envelope Switzerland , JardinSuisse , Lignum – Holzwirtschaft Schweiz and the Swiss Association of Painters and Plasterers have joined as founding members. Its new office in Wallisellen is also the seat of the VNBB. The management of the VNBB office is advertised. New club members and partners are expressly welcome.

In 2019, the examination regulations for the advanced specialist examination for experts in healthy and sustainable building were recognized by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. In this way, according to the VNBB, “the gap in higher vocational training in the field of sustainable building can be closed”. The first preparatory course for the diploma will start in 2022. At the same time, professional associations have also recognized the importance of the topic and decided to tackle the issue of sustainability in vocational training together.

December 2020
Energy Lab aims to deliver innovations for the energy transition

The NTN Innovation Booster Energy Lab will officially start its work in January 2021. However, such a dynamic has already emerged that the first of a total of 50 planned projects have already been launched, writes the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences in a media release . They should lead to innovations in the efficient generation, storage and use of renewable energies that are also marketable.

The consortium of over 200 members is strategically managed by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. In addition to the Central Switzerland Innovation Park and NEST – the research and innovation platform of the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute and the water research institute of the ETH Domain – numerous other institutions, all Swiss universities of applied sciences and ETH Zurich . The Energy Lab is being funded by the Swiss innovation agency Innosuisse with CHF 1.5 million for an initial period of four years.

More than 200 companies are already connected via the Central Switzerland Innovation Park, "and the trend is increasing", the message goes on to say: "Because the Energy Lab is an open network in which interested parties can contribute at any time."

"The challenges are so complex that they can no longer be resolved with individual measures, but only in large-scale cooperation between industry, politics, science and society," the project manager and professor at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, Ludger Fischer, is quoted in the communication . "The solutions will offer concrete added value for the economy and can therefore be implemented!"

November 2020
Innovative distillery goes into operation

The new building in Amlikon-Bissegg is, among other things, the "most modern distillery in Switzerland", as it is called in a media release by Macardo Swiss Distillery GmbH . The barrel store is even the most innovative in Europe, the company from the St.GallenBodenseeArea continues. Two-day celebrations with a corresponding program were planned for the opening, but this was prevented by the Corona crisis. “Nevertheless, we will open on November 28, 2020 and start operating the distillery, the premium B&B, the event location and the honesty bar with cigar lounge. Countless people have worked intensively towards this in the last few months, ”Martina Bössow, owner of Macardo Swiss Distillery GmbH, is quoted in the press release.

At the opening, the shop, which is also integrated in the new building, will be available to visitors. Fine brandies, Macardo disinfectants and a “world first for all whiskey fans”, as von Bössow put it, are offered there. And from November 30th, small groups of six people will be offered free guided tours for which registration is required.

The new building was built around a cheese factory that is more than 100 years old. At the distillery, the focus is on craftsmanship, which is underlined by a sustainable process. Modern technology is also used in the drum store, which ensures an optimal room climate for the 400 barrels. In addition to the bar and lounge, shop and the event room, ten rooms and two apartments with a bed-and-breakfast offer (B&B) are also available for visitors.

November 2020
JED: Innovative office and service space with industrial charm

Schlieren's western part has had a new think and worktank since mid-2020: JED (Join. Explore. Dare.). Since 2018, a new center for knowledge transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship has been built on the site of the former NZZ printing company. Not far from Schlieren train station, offices, industry and commerce are brought together. Spread over three buildings and a total of around 38,000 square meters of land, there are various seminar, conference and meeting areas as well as an event hall with space for up to 600 people. A gastronomic offer from the “Eves Kitchen” restaurant and several bars complete the offer.
The center of JED is formed by the former printing halls (building complex J) with a ceiling height of up to 18 meters. Both service and event areas are located here. Further office and restaurant areas are located in the front building (Building E), which is connected to the halls. The catering business is currently being implemented on the ground floor, while the upper three floors are intended for office space.
But building D in particular is something to talk about: a new building that is expected to be ready for occupancy at the end of 2022. After completion, this solid construction will provide space for office and service areas and aims to be a pioneer in terms of resource-saving architecture. The “2226” building concept was developed by Professor Dietmar Eberle and his architectural office Baumschlager Eberle. The buildings are designed without technical air conditioning such as heating, cooling or ventilation. Natural drafts are used for cooling. It is heated by the heat emitted by the lighting and electronic devices as well as the people who work in them.
Solid walls reduce heat exchange. The surfaces and materials also compensate for temperature fluctuations, so that a comfortable temperature of 22 to 26 degrees Celsius can be guaranteed throughout the year. The proportion of windows is deliberately kept small at 16 percent – and the panes are set back in the building in such a way that only seldom rays of sunlight reach the glass. Sensors that measure temperature, humidity and CO2 content control ventilation blades as required. The materials used have a lifespan of 200 years. In addition, the reduced building technology ensures both a high level of space and energy efficiency. As a result, only half of the maintenance and operating costs of conventional real estate will be incurred.
Meeting and recreation zones will be created in all three buildings. The number of above-ground parking spaces was deliberately kept small in order not to impair the high quality of the outdoor space visually or in terms of area. Photovoltaic systems can be found on all roofs.
After Zühlke Engineering AG moved in in April 2020, Halter AG will relocate its headquarters to JED at the end of the year. Around 250 workplaces will be set up on an area of over 5,000 square meters. ■

October 2020
Eniwa receives the Aargauer Strom Award 2020

The Association of Aargau Electricity Suppliers has presented this year's Aargauer Strom Award. It went to Eniwa AG for their Unterentfelden project Im Erlifeld: the future area . The prize is awarded every two years to honor particularly innovative projects by Aargau electricity suppliers.

As stated in a press release from swisspower , Eniwa AG's energy concept for this quarter convinced the jury. The area with nine new multi-family houses and its 90 apartments is largely self-sufficient. The residents benefited in many ways, according to the jurors: from environmentally friendly electricity at attractive prices, charging options for electric vehicles, e-car sharing, transparent and simple billing and ultra-fast broadband internet.

Due to the corona, the award ceremony took place "in a slightly different form" in the ELFA hall in Aarau.

October 2020
Administrative court slows down the innovation park

The cantonal administrative court is withdrawing the legal basis for the planned construction of the Zurich Innovation Park. As the court wrote in a statement on Tuesday, with a ruling on July 8th, it revoked the cantonal building department's ruling on the cantonal design plan for the innovation park.

Such a design plan is only possible for specific individual buildings or individual systems. The design plan for the innovation park with its perimeter of 36 hectares and a total usable area of up to 410,000 square meters does not fall below that. The “special purpose of promoting innovation” does not change anything. "Due to its dimensions and the intended uses, the design plan does not create a project-related, but a general construction zone," says the message.

The canton has thus exceeded its competencies: Only the municipalities are responsible for defining general building zones. “That is why the cantonal design plan is not available for the intended planning.” In addition, the judges believe that the design plan violates the cantonal framework plan because most of the site is in the cantonal agricultural zone.

The building management set the design plan on August 9, 2017. Two residents appealed to the cantonal building course court, but were rejected. Its decision is now also overturned by the administrative court. An appeal can now be made to the Federal Supreme Court against the judgment of the Administrative Court.

The idea of an innovation park in Zurich on the site of the Dübendorf military airfield was the inspiration behind the creation of the Switzerland Innovation Parks . While such parks in Aargau, in the greater Basel area, in Biel, in western and central Switzerland are already making good progress, the idea generator is now in danger of failing. The Zurich government had already applied for a loan of CHF 217.6 million in 2018 for the construction, development and support of the innovation park in Dübendorf.

July 2020