immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Ökosysteme

  • Location opportunities for Switzerland in the face of global change

    Location opportunities for Switzerland in the face of global change

    The global economy is at the beginning of a profound transformation. Artificial intelligence has the potential to stimulate growth on a historic scale by 2035. Globally, up to 15 per cent additional GDP growth could be achieved, in Western Europe up to 13.8 %. However, for this boost to become a reality, transparent, ethically supported framework conditions are needed to create trust in the technology. Companies and countries are called upon to actively help shape the social and regulatory framework.

    The pressure to transform is increasing
    Switzerland is well positioned to play a key role internationally. 84% of CEOs in Switzerland introduced AI technologies in their companies last year, a sharp increase on the previous year. At the same time, the study shows that USD 7.1 trillion in value creation will be redistributed worldwide in 2025 alone. For companies in Switzerland, now is the time to rethink business models, utilise potential and strategically develop innovation-friendly locations.

    Growth areas along basic human needs
    Growth in the future will no longer take place along traditional industry boundaries. Instead, new ecosystems will emerge, for example in the areas of mobility, housing, food, energy and communication. In these networks, technology providers, utilities and industrial companies are working together on integrated solutions. Investing in this cross-sector cooperation at an early stage can open up new value chains and secure locational advantages.

    Climate change as a counterforce
    The positive potential of AI is offset by the burden of climate change. By 2035, there is a threat of a global decline in GDP of up to 7 %. At the same time, energy requirements will increase due to data-intensive AI applications. Targeted increases in efficiency, for example in buildings or production processes, can reduce CO₂ emissions and conserve resources. The challenge lies in taking a systemic approach to climate protection and digitalisation.

    Linking technological innovation and sustainable development will determine the attractiveness of tomorrow’s business locations. Those who invest in trustworthy AI applications, form cross-sector alliances and at the same time assume ecological responsibility will position themselves in the competition for future markets. Switzerland has the potential to become a globally relevant centre of innovation if politics, business and society actively and jointly shape change.

  • Winterthur: The location for innovation and entrepreneurship

    Winterthur: The location for innovation and entrepreneurship

    Formerly an industrial stronghold, Winterthur has now developed into an important technology location and a true birthplace for innovative start-ups. The economy is broadly diversified and employment figures are increasing every year. Today, industrial software is written and sensors for smart factories are developed in the brick halls of yesteryear. Today, the former industrial city of Winterthur is home to an enormous amount of technical know-how. It began professionally training technical specialists at an early stage. The Sulzer industrial group, for example, founded its first in-house vocational school as early as 1870, and shortly afterwards the Technikum, today’s Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, was established. Other vocational schools and universities followed. Today, the Winterthur region is a hotspot for practice-oriented education and research, which favoured its transformation into a technology city.

    ZHAWfuels the innovation system
    The ZHAW, Switzerland’s largest university of applied sciences with around 11,000 students, engages in close research cooperation with the private sector, so that the enormous amount of knowledge produced every day at the ZHAW flows into companies and fuels the innovation system. This is why the location marketing organisation House of Winterthur networks local companies with the ZHAW or refers to specific innovation support programmes when visiting companies. Its core task is also to promote the strengthening of the regional innovation system.

    Focus on health, energy and machinery
    Companies choose a location primarily on the basis of its innovation potential. House of Winterthur makes these innovation systems visible and shows their development potential. In the case of relocations, the extent to which a new company enriches the innovation system is always central. As cooperation between companies is becoming increasingly important in the innovation process, House of Winterthur organises various networking events, such as tech lunches or specific smart health events. To strengthen the region’s most important innovation ecosystems, House of Winterthur, Technopark Winterthur and the Winterthur Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Association launched a cluster initiative focusing on health, energy and machinery. The mix of industry, a lively start-up scene, cultural and leisure activities ensures that Winterthur is and remains attractive for workers as well as for residents and families.

    Testimonials

    Christian Fehrlin
    Owner and CEO DEEPIMPACT

    “As a long-time resident and business owner, I can count on competent, reliable support from the city. The location promotion offers valuable advice and information on the development of our company in Winterthur. An ideal location for software development, with more favourable prices and a pleasant working atmosphere, in close proximity to Zurich.”

    Dr Suzanne Thoma
    CEO and VRP Sulzer

    “Sulzer has been rooted in Winterthur since 1834. The same innovative and pioneering spirit that established Sulzer as a technology leader back then still drives us today. Our technologies sustainably solve urgent problems of our society, and we continue to invest where we started – just as we did two centuries ago.”

    Bernhard Winter
    CEO Scewo AG

    “We are very satisfied with the Winterthur location. Not only the development of our stair climbing wheelchair takes place here, but also the production, which we moved here a few weeks ago.”

    Fabrice Billard
    CEO Burckhardt Compression AG

    “Winterthur is convincing as an attractive business location due to its location in the Zurich economic area, its well-trained workforce and the high quality of life for employees.”

    Business Cluster 2020