Innovation locations 2020: The Swiss hot spots for startups

17.09.2020 11:00, Isabelle Mitchell

Even though many Swiss startups are located near ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne—the two world-renowned universities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—our map of the TOP 100 startups’ locations shows that the Basel region, Central Switzerland, and Valais also provide the ideal environment to inspire innovation, growth, and success.

The top position of cantons Zurich and Vaud, as in effect Switzerland’s two startup hubs, was consolidated again in 2020, thanks to ETHZ and EPFL. One in two companies in the TOP 100 is based in the greater Zurich area, with every fourth in Vaud. But Switzerland has other startup hot spots, including the Basel region, which has six of the TOP 100 companies, Central Switzerland with seven ranked startups, and Valais with three.

Focus: deeptech 
The TOP 100 startups develop mature and disruptive technologies and reflect the deeptech nation of Switzerland – and not only in sectors in which Switzerland is traditionally strong, such as life sciences, finance, and insurance but also in ICT. TOP 100 startups are also involved in the drone market of the future and ensure Switzerland’s reputation in this new field.




This article was first published in the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Magazine 2020.