immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: KMU

  • Trust company expands offering with industry software for construction SMEs

    Trust company expands offering with industry software for construction SMEs

    Gewerbe-Treuhand AG, based in Lucerne, is expanding its range of industry software. According to a press release, the company is now offering AbaBau software from Abacus Business Solutions AG for SMEs in the ancillary construction industry.

    The company in Thalwil ZH is a subsidiary of Abacus Research AG. It develops this specialised software with an expert team of 80 employees.

    As an Abacus partner, Gewerbe-Treuhand not only organises the distribution of the construction software, but also supports the SMEs that use it with the practical and process-optimising introduction and implementation in practice.

    Companies using the software also have the option of calling in their fiduciary partner in the event of staff shortages or temporary substitutions for administrative tasks, according to the press release.

    Gewerbe-Treuhand is already a sales partner of Abacus Research AG in 2019. The new partnership with Abacus Business Solutions builds on this collaboration.

  • Digital solution makes progress on greenhouse gases visible

    Digital solution makes progress on greenhouse gases visible

    The Zurich-based company Integrale Planung GmbH(Intep) has launched a new emissions tracker designed to make it much easier for SMEs to get started with carbon footprinting, according to a press release. The web-based tool also visualises the results and enables a multi-year comparison. The aim is to make progress clearly visible and measurable.

    The Emission Tracker is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and covers all three scopes, including indirect emissions along the value chain. The emission factors have been scientifically validated and are updated regularly. Activity and emissions data that Intep was able to collect during its project work also enables a simplified calculation methodology using industry averages.

    The visualised results provide an overview of the main sources of emissions, from energy supply to expenditure and investment. A PDF report can be used for communication and also offers practical tips for reducing emissions. With the Emission Tracker Plus, companies can also receive an additional two hours of personalised advice from Intep experts.

    “SMEs in particular often lack the financial resources, the right tools and the necessary expertise,” explains Dr Lisa Winter, Managing Director at Intep Berlin. “With the Emission Tracker, we provide them with a low-threshold introduction to greenhouse gas balancing.” Associations, municipalities and large companies can also benefit by acquiring licences for their SME network as part of the Emission Tracker partnership.

  • Apply now for the Digital Journey Challenge 2025

    Apply now for the Digital Journey Challenge 2025

    The digital transformation is unstoppable and offers enormous opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. The Digital Journey Challenge 2025, launched by the Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM), is aimed at companies and start-ups that want to take their innovative strength to a new level with digital technology.

    The focus is on promoting pioneering projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), automation and other key technologies. Applicants receive professional guidance, technological expertise and up to CHF 100,000 in financial support.

    Three strong arguments in favour of your participation
    Technology Boost
    Access to CSEM expertise in eight key technologies

    Financial support
    Up to CHF 100,000 for development time, consulting and technology transfer

    Strengthen market position
    Greater visibility, more media presence, access to expert networks

    Simple application process, big impact
    Participation is straightforward. Interested parties download the factsheet, describe their idea and submit the form. All information and conditions are available on the CSEM website. The application deadline is 15 September 2025.

    Success story
    The 2024 winning project shows just how effective the challenge can be. Varioprint AG impressed with its AI-supported 3D inspection solution for printed circuit boards. Their project “AI in Every Pixel” addresses a global growth market and accelerates quality control in the electronics industry in the long term.

    Apply now and play an active role in shaping your digital transformation.

  • Schlieren achieves new company record

    Schlieren achieves new company record

    Schlieren’s location promotion organisation can look back on a successful year. On 30 November, 1319 legal entities were established in the city, a new record. According to a statement from the location promotion organisation, the majority of new companies are still attracted by the existing clusters. These primarily include the Bio-Technopark with its national and international reputation, but also the Healthtechpark and the start-up cluster.

    In future, the city also wants to increase its attractiveness in the SME and commercial environment. To this end, the Schlieren North-East Site Committee was founded in September. It is made up of 25 property owners of the area along Rütistrasse. More than 80 companies with around 900 jobs are already active there today. In future, Schlieren North-East is to be developed into a brand in the SME and commercial sectors.

    This is already having an effect. “Even at the numerous business and trade events at Schlierefäscht, I noticed new companies that were directly involved in networking in Schlieren,” location promoter Albert Schweizer is quoted as saying in the press release. As a member of the Schlierefäscht organising committee, Schweizer was responsible for sponsorship.

  • Freiburg under the sign of the building sector and energy efficiency

    Freiburg under the sign of the building sector and energy efficiency

    The Fribourg construction sector is part of the bioeconomy, one of the two axes of the canton’s economic strategy. It is proving to be very robust and is prepared for the major upheavals that will result from the challenges of climate change, resource scarcity and digital progress.

    “Whether in the fields of wood construction, metal construction, concrete, plastics, civil engineering or energy efficiency, Fribourg companies enjoy an excellent reputation throughout the country and beyond thanks to their know-how,” says a delighted Olivier Curty, Director of Economic Affairs and Vocational Training for the Canton of Fribourg.

    The players in the sector are supported in their projects and activities in particular by the Building Innovation Cluster, which plays an important role in dynamising the sector, and by the Smart Living Lab, the leading centre of excellence for the future of the built environment. Jerry Krattiger, Director of the Fribourg Economic Development Agency (WIF): “The environment is favourable for the development of partnerships and innovative projects. The framework conditions are excellent, the skills and the will are there… we just have to use them to shape our future!

    Presentation of the magazine
    The 2023 edition of Fribourg Network Fribourg was presented at a panel discussion organised by the WIF in the bluefactory innovation quarter. In the presence of Jacques Boschung, President of Bluefactory Fribourg-Fribourg SA, and Remo Daguati, President of the Swiss Association for Site Management (SVSM), representatives of the Smart Living Lab research and development centre, the companies JPF Holding SA and Lutz Architectes, and the founder of Mobbot shared their experiences and discussed trends, innovation opportunities and challenges in the construction sector.

    Link to the Fribourg Network Fribourg magazine www.fribourgnetwork.ch

  • Federal Council wants to further strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss SMEs and regions

    Federal Council wants to further strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss SMEs and regions

    With the Dispatch on Location Promotion 2024-2027, the Federal Council is further developing the strategic foundations of federal location promotion. It is pursuing the following five goals with location promotion in the years 2024-2027: Improve the framework conditions for SMEs, strengthen regions, contribute to sustainable development, exploit the opportunities of digitalisation and strengthen the attractiveness of the business and tourism location. Compared to the period 2020-2023, the importance of sustainable development and digitalisation will be upgraded. In addition, location promotion will be geared even more strongly to the needs of the main target groups – SMEs and regions. In order to implement the goals, 23 concrete activities will be defined in the coming years by SECO and the mandated organisations (guarantee cooperatives, Swiss Export Risk Insurance, Swiss Association for Hotel Credit, Switzerland Tourism, Switzerland Global Enterprise). Some of them are implemented in cooperation with the cantons and other partners.

    The focal points of location promotion
    In SME policy, the focus is on expanding EasyGov.swiss, the one-stop shop of the Confederation, cantons and municipalities for businesses. This can make a significant contribution to reducing the administrative burden on businesses. In the period 2024-2027, the scope of EasyGov services is to be further expanded in order to meet the needs of businesses for additional electronic government services. As part of the expansion of EasyGov, it is planned, for example, to be able to offer businesses a bundled process for moving companies (change of address) in the future. Further expansion is also planned in the area of aliens law notifications and permits for businesses.

    In tourism policy, the focus is on the further development of investment promotion, sustainable development and the digital transformation of tourism. Another priority for the years 2024-2027 is the implementation of the recovery programme for Swiss tourism to counteract the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic.

    The New Regional Policy NRP will enter its third eight-year multi-annual period (2024-2031) in 2024. The existing thematic funding priorities of “industry” and “tourism” will be continued. In addition to digitalisation, sustainable development and the “local economy”, which complements the export orientation of the NRP, will be given particular weight as cross-cutting themes.

    Finally, the offer of support for the export industry, for example in relation to trade-related issues, and in particular access for Swiss exporters to large foreign infrastructure projects, will be further developed in line with demand and the “Team Switzerland” approach will be expanded. For example, various associations, federal offices, Switzerland Global Enterprise and Swiss Export Risk Insurance are increasingly conducting joint promotional activities abroad. These are aimed, among others, at general contractors who carry out large infrastructure projects. Further business opportunities are being identified in important markets.

    Commitment credits and payment frameworks
    In order to continue and further develop the instruments of location promotion, the Federal Council is proposing commitment credits and payment frameworks totalling CHF 428.83 million to parliament for the years 2024-2027. For the years 2020-2023, an amount of around CHF 399 million was available. In addition, there is a payment framework for the creation of the Regional Development Fund in the years 2024-2031 amounting to CHF 217.3 million (reduced by CHF 12.7 million compared to the previous period 2016-2023).

    Location promotion is implemented using the instruments of SME policy, tourism policy, the New Regional Policy (NRP) and foreign trade promotion.

  • Bundesrat steckt Ziele zur Standortförderung ab

    Bundesrat steckt Ziele zur Standortförderung ab

    Der Bundesrat entwickelt die strategischen Grundlagen zur Standortförderung des Bundes weiter. Mit seiner Botschaft für die Jahre 2024 bis 2027 verfolgt er laut einer Medienmitteilung fünf Ziele: Rahmenbedingungen für KMU verbessern, Regionen stärken, zur nachhaltigen Entwicklung beitragen, Chancen der Digitalisierung nutzen sowie die Attraktivität des Wirtschafts- und Tourismusstandorts stärken. Diese sind auch Bestandteile der Neuen Regionalpolitik, die 2024 in ihre dritte achtjährige Periode startet. Für die mandatierten Organisationen wurden 23 konkrete Aktivitäten formuliert.

    Im Vergleich zur Periode 2020 bis 2023 wird die Bedeutung der nachhaltigen Entwicklung und der Digitalisierung aufgewertet. Ausserdem soll sich die Standortförderung noch stärker an den Bedürfnissen der Hauptzielgruppen, den KMU und den Regionen, ausrichten. So liegt der Schwerpunkt bei der KMU-Politik im Ausbau von EasyGov.swiss, dem Online-Schalter für Unternehmen zur elektronischen Abwicklung von Bewilligungs-, Antrags- und Meldeverfahren an einem einzigen Ort.

    Den Fokus in der Tourismuspolitik setzt die Botschaft bei der digitalen Transformation der Branche und der Weiterentwicklung der Tourismusförderung. Zudem will der Bundesrat die Exportorientierung weiterentwickeln. So sollen sich etwa Promotionsauftritte im Ausland an Generalunternehmer mit grossen Infrastrukturprojekten richten.

    Für die Instrumente der Standortförderung beantragt der Bundesrat dem Parlament Finanzmittel in Höhe von 428,83 Millionen Franken, rund 40 Millionen mehr als in der ablaufenden Periode. Dagegen soll der Zahlungsrahmen für die Äufnung des Fonds für Regionalentwicklung in den Jahren 2024 bis 2031 gegenüber der Vorperiode um 12,7 Millionen Franken auf 217,3 Millionen Franken reduziert werden.

  • Zürcher Unterland schreibt zweiten Innovationspreis aus

    Zürcher Unterland schreibt zweiten Innovationspreis aus

    Die Bewerbungsfrist für den Innovationspreis Zürcher Unterland 2022 von Standort Zürcher Unterland läuft. Noch während der kommenden 30 Tage können Bewerbungen online eingereicht werden. Laut Ausschreibung stehen Innovationen von KMU bei Produkten, Prozessen, Geschäftsmodell und Organisationsform im Fokus, ausdrücklich auch im kleinen Rahmen.

    Bei der Bewertung werden die Kriterien Neuheitsgrad, Auswirkung auf die regionale Wirtschaft, auf das soziale Leben und die Umwelt mit einbezogen. Ausserdem sind Imagewirkung und Strahlkraft für die Region sowie die Übertragbarkeit auf KMU für die Beurteilung entscheidend.

    Die erfolgreichste Bewerbung wird mit einem Preisgeld in Höhe von 9999 Franken ausgezeichnet, die Plätze 2 und 3 mit je 3333 Franken. Die Jury setzt sich aus dem Wirtschaftsrat Zürcher Unterland zusammen. Vergeben werden die Preise am Innovationsanlass des Standortförderers im September.

    Standort Zürcher Unterland verleiht den Innovationspreis 2022 zusammen mit der Zürcher Kantonalbank, dem Glasverpackungshersteller Vetropack sowie den Bezirksgewerbevereinen Bülach und Dielsdorf.

  • ConReal wants to digitize interior design

    ConReal wants to digitize interior design

    ConReal Swiss has set itself the goal of breaking up “the old structures of the construction and real estate industry”, explains the proptech start-up from Winterthur in a press release . “We want to make the construction industry fairer, more transparent and more efficient,” said co-founder and board member Christoph Meili. “We would also like to give small and medium-sized companies access to data and digital tools.”

    In order to achieve this, ConReal relies on the networking of actors in the construction and real estate industry. The young company itself offers digital and analog services in the real estate sector. ConReal wants to build a comprehensive marketplace in interior design. In a first step, the company’s current marketplace for the bathroom will be repositioned, the company writes. Habitects is to appear under the ConReal brand.

    The transfer will create a digital marketplace for bathroom remodeling, explains ConReal. Homeowners can choose their style there and have an individual concept drawn up with a target price. As a result, a 3D model of the project is created and a craftsman is entrusted with a feasibility study and a final offer. The desired articles can also be ordered via the marketplace.

    ConReal believes that everyone involved could benefit from the combination of traditional handicrafts and physical products with new digital tools. The start-up plans to expand the platform to other categories. The communication mentions the kitchen and flooring.

  • Raiffeisen nominates companies for entrepreneur award

    Raiffeisen nominates companies for entrepreneur award

    For the first time, Raiffeisen Bank is also presenting its entrepreneur award in the Espace Mittelland region. With this award it honors SMEs who are committed to “economically sustainable business development”, according to a media release . The six nominees have now been chosen.

    Megasol Energie AG from Deitingen SO is one of them. According to Raiffeisen, the SME is one of the world's leading manufacturers of solar modules. In 2014 Megasol Energie presented a solar module that will be used as a building material for the building envelope – a world first at the time.

    Puralpina ag , Wyssen Avalanche Control AG , Studersond AG and Stuberholz AG are among the nominees from the canton of Bern. Puralpina ag manufactures products for health in Switzerland, Wyssen Avalanche Control AG specializes in avalanche blasting systems, Studersond AG is a manufacturer of machines for soil digestion and Stuberholz AG specializes in timber construction.

    Krummen Kerzers AG from the canton of Friborg is one of the nominees. The logistics company operates internationally and attaches great importance to sustainability.

    The winning company will receive a trophy and prize money of CHF 10,000. In addition, an audience award worth CHF 5,000 will be awarded. The award ceremony will take place on September 9th.

  • Pestalozzi sees construction as a modern and digital industry

    Pestalozzi sees construction as a modern and digital industry

    A corporate mission statement has been developed for the Pestalozzi Group. In an interview with “ KMU Magazin ”, Matthias Pestalozzi names the main areas: corporate culture of continuity, development of digitization and networking, and cross-generational corporate management. The delegate of the board of directors to the company's management is quoted as saying that the most interesting and most important aspect of the formulation of the mission statement was the broad discussion with the employees who worked on it in workshop teams. Pestalozzi: "In the end there weren't many differences to the old model, but it is formulated in more detail, especially the topic: How do we work together?" One consequence is that the company has introduced the you culture.

    Pestalozzi, who runs the family business founded in 1763 in the ninth generation, emphasizes in the interview the importance of digitization for the company that specializes in trading in everything related to construction. Digitization and networking are a "huge topic, we are constantly working on it". Digitization is important in customer contact. The group has invested a lot in the e-shop in recent years to enable digital orders. Around 40 percent of orders for finished products already go through electronic trading. Digital marketing has also been expanded, with the use of platforms such as LinkedIn or the distribution of a newsletter. According to Pestalozzi, security problems in the digital sector are often underestimated, especially by SMEs. At Pestalozzi, employees are therefore trained on an ongoing basis.

    The Pestalozzi Group wanted to motivate young people to train in the building and construction industry with the 39th prize awarded this year for good apprenticeship qualifications. It is often difficult to find apprentices there. The pen prize is awarded in the building envelope, building services, metal construction and metal processing sectors.

  • The innovation award is intended to promote the Unterland location

    The innovation award is intended to promote the Unterland location

    SMEs based in the Zürcher Unterland can apply for an innovation award for the first time. The official announcement takes place in summer. This award is being launched by the new business and trade council of the Zürcher Unterland location association. It is endowed with 5000 francs. It is donated by the Zürcher Kantonalbank .

    According to a press release, the ZKB Innovation Prize Zürcher Unterland will be awarded for the first time on October 1st at the new Zurich North business symposium in Glattfelden ZH. Both the innovation award and the business symposium are viewed by the Zurich Unterland Economic and Commercial Council, which was founded last autumn, as its first two “flagship events”.

    According to Co-Managing Director Darius Daftarian, the Zürcher Unterland is still insufficiently perceived as a business location in a cantonal comparison. What is missing is “a regional and supra-regional awareness of the strength of the location”.

    This is one of the reasons why the new economic and trade council wants to promote knowledge transfer for SMEs. To this end, existing economic and trade networks would have to be merged. "When different people with different backgrounds meet, everyone can benefit," said Michael Ricklin, President of the Dielsdorf ZH district trade association, quoted in the press release.

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

    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.