Succeed in China Workshop at Technopark

Tackle the opportunity of the world's largest emerging market
Recently, an increasing number of Swiss scale-ups have been targeting Asia. We have heard news from BioVersys having raised USD 6 million to conduct clinical trials in China before their IPO this year, RIVR whose latest investors include Jeff Bezos and Sequoia Capital China, HeiQ working with Taiwanese industry leader BIG SUNSHINE for their roll-out on the continent, and Bcomp developing the next generation of sustainable cars with Volvo, owned by Geely Group.

By 2025, China scores as the world’s second largest economy (GDP USD 19.5 trillion, 5.9% growth), as well as the #1 country by new patents registered and manufacturing of products for export. Recent news about the achievements of innovation leaders like DeepSeek in AI, BYD in electric mobility, and Unitree in robotics have sparked the curiosity of many observers in the West. At the same time, a rapidly aging population of 1.4 billion people drives the domestic demand for technological solutions, especially in medicine and automation. This creates vast opportunities for European companies to see China not just as a place for production but also as a target market to sell to.
Historically, Switzerland has benefited over-proportionally by mutual trade and cooperation with its Free Trade Agreement that was already signed in 1950, and is in current negotiations by the Swiss and Chinese government to be further advanced. Being present in Asia is also a strategy to mitigate risks of lower growth and more challenging conditions in Europe and US. The central question is: how can Swiss startups and SMEs best tackle the opportunity of China?

The Technoparks Zurich and Graubünden, Succeed Consulting and Venturelab teamed up to deliver an exclusive offering for Swiss-based entrepreneurs: a special workshop to deep-dive into the best practices to launch, scale, and succeed in the Chinese market.

 


Inviting startups and SMEs ready to scale internationally

Apply if you are
- A Swiss startup or SME with an innovation-based product ready for global markets
- Active in medtech, cleantech, robotics, or other scalable technology solutions
- Curious about China for raising investments, building your supply chain, local R&D (e.g. clinical trials) and market access
- ready to engage with other Swiss-based entrepreneurs targeting China
 


What to Expect: our Program
At Technopark Zurich, Wednesday, April 30, 9:00 – 13:30

- 9:00: Welcome Coffee at the Technopark
- 9:30: Welcoming by the organizers: Venturelab, Technopark, Succeed Consulting, and Chinese partners introduce themselves
- 9:45: Keynote by a successful Swiss entrepreneur active in China
- 10:00: Mutual introductions: 3-minute pitches by companies interested in China
- 10:30: Networking breakfast
- 11:00: China success workshop with experts from Chinese partners and Succeed Consulting
- 12:30: Networking lunch
- 13:30: Closing the event
(Note: the breakfast and speeches may be open for a larger audience, while the workshop is private and confidential)
 
Join the Swiss community of entrepreneurs targeting the Chinese market


Benefits for entrepreneurs
- Connect with the people who matter - from Chinese innovation hubs, Swiss-China market experts with proven track record, and fellow entrepreneurs
-  Understand the national agendas of both Switzerland and China for the forthcoming decade and what it means for companies active in both markets
- Learn about how to best benefit from financial incentives and foreign-friendly business regulation
- Best practices on IP protection, working with Chinese partners, structuring the business, risk mitigation, and setting up a local presence in China
- Discover the best locations in China depending on your product and your overall company strategy

This program is free of charge for eligible participants and invite-only. A select number of startups will be invited to participate in the closed-door expert session and may be considered for follow-up support, including invitation to a discovery trip following the example of last year’s Swiss Innovation China Roadshow organized by Succeed Consulting with Venturelab.
 
The selection will be made by Venturelab in collaboration with Succeed Consulting and Technoparks Zurich and Graubünden.
We look forward to receiving your application! In case of questions, don’t hesitate to contact Raffael: raffael.kellner@venturelab.swiss
 
….

About the Swiss China Initiative: the Technopark Alliance supports this initiative as a strategic step to diversify international engagement beyond obvious markets like the EU or U.S. This initiative provides an opportunity for startup to enter to the Chinese market with the support of knowledgeable Swiss partners to make safe steps in the world's largest economy.  China, and in particular Zhejiang Province, is rapidly emerging as a global innovation powerhouse with strong capabilities in AI, medtech, robotics, and sustainable technologies—sectors that closely match Swiss strengths. By fostering direct ties with local governments, science parks, and investors in Zhejiang, the initiative creates new pathways for Swiss startups to scale internationally, develop joint ventures, and tap into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing tech ecosystems.

At the same time, the collaboration is designed with a politically balanced and pragmatic approach. Supported by Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE) and the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), it focuses on business-led, innovation-driven exchange, minimizing political exposure while maximizing value for Swiss companies. The initiative is an opportunity for the Technopark Alliance to offer a high-quality, long-term platform for startups to explore Asia and strengthen Switzerland’s global innovation footprint.

Additional resources of interest

• Switzerland Global Enterprise: Market overview China
• Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA: Bilateral relations Switzerland China
• Swissnex: How Swiss Startups Can Fast-Track Their Entry into China’s Healthcare Market
• Swissinfo: Updated free trade deal between Switzerland and China set for 2025
• Deutsche Bank Research: China's huge trade surplus - where next?
• The Economist: Can foreign investors learn to love China again?