immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Unternehmensprojekte

  • Stable economic development in Vaud

    Stable economic development in Vaud

    In 2023, the Vaud Economic Development Agency provided financial support for 733 business projects. Support for internationalisation increased by almost 20%, while support for the cleantech sector rose by 23.7%, reflecting the growing importance of innovation in the energy and climate sector. The number of branches of foreign companies remained stable at 28 new branches.

    Network and partnerships
    Isabelle Moret, Head of the Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage (DEIEP), emphasises the importance of a strong network: “In 2023, more than a thousand companies and project promoters benefited from the Vaud government’s support measures, particularly in the areas of innovation and sustainability.” These measures supported 3722 jobs.

    Strong growth in the medtech sector
    Vaud start-ups raised CHF 444 million, with 29 of them among the top 100 best start-ups in Switzerland. The medtech sector is particularly noteworthy: 52% of investments in medical technology across Switzerland were channelled into Vaud start-ups.

    Attracting foreign companies
    Innovaud, the agency for the promotion of innovation and foreign investment, supported the establishment of 28 new companies in the canton of Vaud. The life sciences sector had a particularly strong presence, accounting for more than a third of the new companies.

    Promotion of research and development
    The innovation parks in the canton of Vaud were home to a total of 661 companies and 8326 jobs at the end of 2023. The new unlimitrust campus and the expansion of the EPFL Innovation Park with the Ecotope project are examples of growth and support for research and development.

    Support from the Innovation Promotion Fund
    The Innovation Promotion Fund was endowed with an additional CHF 50 million in 2023. This fund supports the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) and various programmes such as Tech4Trust, Trust Valley’s leading acceleration programme for start-ups, and FIT Impact for young projects in the field of impact entrepreneurship.

    Sustainability as a central task
    Sustainability plays a central role in the 2022-2027 legislative planning. The “4-season tourism” framework credit of CHF 50 million aims to improve the quality and sustainability of tourism infrastructure. in 2023, 84 projects totalling almost CHF 4 million were supported to help companies make the transition to sustainability.

    A strong economic ecosystem
    The PESI also supported organisations such as Innovaud, which accompanied 328 companies and contributed to the creation of 31 new companies. Genilem, specialised in project diagnostics and entrepreneurship consulting, supported 24 companies. The Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) awarded over CHF 4 million in grants and loans to start-ups.

    Regional economic promotion and territorial advertising
    The regional economic promotion offices supported 712 companies and provided over 1,000 services. Vaud Promotion encouraged 165 local producers to label their products with the VAUD CERTIFIES D’ICI label. The attractiveness for tourists increased by 8.6%, with most visitors coming from Switzerland, France and the USA.

    These comprehensive measures and partnerships emphasise the successful strategy of the Vaud Economic Development Agency, which focuses on sustainability, innovation and strong networks.

  • Economic development Freiburg successful despite challenges

    Economic development Freiburg successful despite challenges

    The Economic Development Agency of the Canton of Fribourg, or WIF for short, supports companies wishing to expand their activities in the canton or relocate here. It is also responsible for implementing the New Regional Policy (NRP) in the canton. Last year, the WIF supported a total of 40 company projects and 23 NRP projects. Of the business projects, 24 were expansions and 16 were new establishments. The majority of the 16 new establishments (10 projects) came from Switzerland. One example of a Swiss new establishment is the Algaltek GmbH project, which has settled on the AgriCo-Campus in St-Aubin. Algaltek is a biotech spin-off of the EPFL and specialises in the production of algae.

    Strengthening 1000 jobs in Fribourg companies
    In addition to expansions and new settlements, projects are also helping to strengthen existing jobs in the long term. Last year, around 1000 jobs were secured in the canton thanks to WIF measures. One example of this is SMG Swiss Marketplace Group AG in Flamatt. The WIF supported SMG in its search for a new location in order to retain the 160 jobs in the canton of Fribourg. The choice fell on the bluefactory site in the centre of Fribourg, an attractive location that is easily accessible for employees from all over Switzerland and especially from western Switzerland. The move is planned for the second half of 2024. “The work of the Economic Development Agency is geared towards the long term,” said State Councillor Olivier Curty, Director of Economic Affairs and Vocational Training. “Every year, its work has a profound impact on our economy, both quantitatively and qualitatively, which pleases me.” WIF Director Jerry Krattiger also emphasised that the WIF is increasingly supporting research and development projects. “The importance of R&D projects in Fribourg companies is increasing. in 2023, we supported 13 such projects, 6 of which were co-financed by Innosuisse at federal level.”