swissnex annual report 2014
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Explore the swissnex Annual Report 2014, offering for the first time an overview of the activities of the entire swissnex network in one publication!TRANSCRIPT
Annual Report
2
OUR
MISS ION :
SWISSNEX :
A GLOBAL
NETWORK
IS TO CONNECT THE DOTS BETWEEN SWITZERLAND AND THE WORLD IN SCIENCE, EDUCATION, ART AND INNOVATION. SWISSNEX IS A NETWORK WITH NODES IN THE WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE HUBS, WHERE THE FUTURE IS BEING SHAPED. WE TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN STRENGTHENING SWITZERLAND’S LEADERSHIP AS A WORLD-CLASS LOCATION FOR SCIENCE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.
SAN FRANCISCO
BOSTON
RIO DE JA
NEIRO
3 swissnex annual report 2014
Initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, SERI, managed in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, FDFA.
The swissnex network includes outposts in Boston, Brazil, China, India, San Francisco and Singapore.
BANGALORE
SINGAPORE
SHANGHAI
4
MISSION STATEMENT 2
LETTER FROM THE STATE SECRETARY 5
FINANCIALS, LEADERSHIP TEAM 6
DOTS CONNECTED IN 2014 8
BOSTON 14
BRAZIL 18
CHINA 22
INDIA 26
SAN FRANCISCO 30
SINGAPORE 34
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS 38
CONTENTS
5 swissnex annual report 2014
Letter From THE State Secretary
Dear Reader,
It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the fi rst joint Annual Report of the swissnex network. This report provides an overview of the activities and achievements of all six swissnex locations in 2014. For a more comprehensive overview of the many projects and successes in the swissnex network, I invite you to visit the newly redesigned swissnex.org.
The swissnex network reached two important milestones over the past year: swissnex Singapore, the fi rst swissnex established in Asia, celebrated a decade of connecting the dots between Switzerland and this Asian knowledge hub, in which a strong Swiss presence in the fi elds of science, education and innovation has been established. The network also welcomed its latest addition with the inauguration of swissnex Brazil in April 2014, presided over by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann.
Whilst at its origin, 15 years ago, swissnex began as an innovative experiment in Boston, today it has evolved into an established and well recognized network. Together with our 18 Science and Technology Counselors positioned in Swiss Embassies around the globe, the swissnexes offer a diversity of tailor-made services to support the internationalization of our partners’ projects and organizations and, by consequence, of Switzerland’s education, research and innovation landscape.
It remains nonetheless necessary for each swissnex to continue to reinvent itself, to be innovative in the development of partnerships, to explore new opportunities and to adapt to local cultures, in order to remain successful in meeting its stated objectives. Such dynamism relies heavily on ensuring a collaborative approach with our partners; one that is based on confi dence and which builds on harnessing mutual creativity and expertise.
For your trust in swissnex and in the people behind the dots, I would like to warmly thank you. I remain enthusiastic about the emerging partnerships that will come to fruition in 2015 and beyond.
Yours sincerely,
Mauro Dell’Ambrogio
State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation
5
6
SERI
CHINA
Pasca
l Marm
ier CEO, V
ice Con
sul Gen
eral
#cha
rismatic
F INANC IALS
LEADERSHIPTEAM
OVERALL SWISSNEX FUNDING The overall funding covers all expenses, such as operations, salaries, infrastructure, projects and travel.
BOSTON
Felix M
oesner
CEO, Con
sul
#cha
llenge
rBRAZIL
Gioia Deu
cher
CEO, Con
sul
#dyna
mic
PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS
5,890,000
2,990,000
1 = 100,000 CHF
7 swissnex annual report 2014
PROJECT FUNDING As a Public-Private Partnership, swissnex is required by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation to fi nance at least two-thirds of its projects with partner contributions.
INDIA
Balz Stra
sser
CEO, Con
sul G
enera
l
#idea
tor SINGAPORE
Suzanne H
raba-R
enev
ey CEO
#insig
htful
SAN FRANCISCO
Christia
n Simm CEO
#tren
dsco
uter
SERI
PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS (CASH)
TOTALFUNDING
PARTNERCONTRIBUTIONS (IN KIND)
880,000
1,450,000
8,880,000 1,330,000
8
DOTS
CONNECTED
in 20 14
9 swissnex annual report 2014
390+EVENTS ORGANISED
180+STARTUPSEMPOWERED
120+DELEGATIONS AND STUDY TRIPS LED
OPEN
1 1
BRAZIL
41 events organised
15 startups empowered- 4 through webinars and consultation- 11 startup delegations
5 delegations and study tours led
BOSTON
95 events organised
32 startups empowered- 7 visiting startups- 3 through webinars and consultation- 22 startup delegations
42 delegations and study tours led
12 swissnex annual report 2014
CHINA
53 events organised
29 startups empowered- 10 visiting startups- 9 through webinars and consultations- 10 startup delegations
35 delegations and study tours ledINDIA
68 events organised
40 startups empowered- 11 visiting startups- 20 through webinars and consultation- 9 startup delegations
20 delegations and study tours led
SINGAPORE
59 events organised
12 Startups empowered- 5 visiting startups- 7 through webinars and consultation
11 delegations and study tours led
SAN FRANCISCO
78 events organised
59 startups empowered- 9 visiting startups- 50 through webinars and consultation
11 delegations and study tours led
14
Felix Moesner, CEO, Consul
2014 was a fantastic year for swissnex Boston. Our 14th year was marked by many
highlights, culminating with the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days held in July. Federal
Councillor Doris Leuthard joined us to kickoff this special series, which included the
premiere of the Watt d’Or exhibition.
In early 2014, EPFL President Patrick Aebischer, the Harvard Wyss Institute’s founder
Hansjörg Wyss and world-renowned entrepreneur Ernesto Bertarelli gathered at swissnex
Boston to present the Campus Biotech Geneva for the fi rst time to an audience. We also
brought the Excellent Swiss Design exhibition to Boston, showcasing the best in Swiss
contemporary design. In October, we celebrated 60 Years of CERN with a month-long
program on the world’s largest particle physics laboratory at Harvard University. The
Venture Leaders Boston boot camp enjoyed its own milestone with an expansion of the
program to include New York City. Finally, our continued collaboration with the Offi ce of
Science, Technology and Higher Education at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington
D.C. allowed us to jointly highlight one of our country’s most important strengths: its
vocational education and training / apprenticeship system – a model that attracted
signifi cant interest and attention on this side of the Atlantic.
With 95 events, delegations and high-profi le visitors, we’ve truly achieved new benchmarks
in ‘connecting the dots’ and raising Switzerland’s profi le abroad.
As we enter our 15th year, I invite you to learn more about these initiatives, and to
discover why Boston – a city poised to compete as the US’ bid for the 2024 Olympics –
matters, and why swissnex Boston is at the forefront of education, research and innovation
here. Stay tuned: Success in progress!
15 swissnex annual report 2014
BOSTON
REACH ING
NEW
HE IGHTS
The F irst Swiss-US Energy Innovat ion Days
In July, swissnex Boston partnered with the Swiss Federal Offi ce of Energy (SFOE)
to host the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days (SUEID). This series brought together
over 30 organizations and hundreds of experts from Switzerland and the US for
a mutual dialogue into the future of energy innovation. Hosted at Northeastern
University, the program invited a number of energy innovation experts, including our
Energy Minister, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, and a delegation of 80 Swiss
executives from the academic, research, governmental, and corporate sectors.
The Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days offered a broad perspective and rich
discussion on the current challenges and opportunities in energy innovation. The
SUEID included the world premiere of Watt d’Or, a traveling exhibition showcasing
Switzerland’s most innovative energy projects.
The SUEID proved critical for Switzerland because they afforded the Swiss delegation
the rare opportunity to have strategic meetings with key leaders in energy innovation
in Boston, including the Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick and the Mayor
of Boston, Martin J. Walsh. The delegation was also able to engage with leaders
from Boston’s top academic & research institutions: Harvard University, MIT, and
Northeastern University. As part of the agenda, ETH Zurich and MIT signed an
agreement to enable an exchange of students, as well as greater collaboration in the
fi eld of energy.
swissnex Boston also coordinated exclusive visits to some of Boston’s top innovation
centres: MassChallenge, Greentown Labs, the Wind Testing Technology Center of
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), and EnerNOC.
“The SFOE highly valued the
collaboration with swissnex
Boston in terms of effi ciency
and providing an excellent
platform to present Swiss
Energy Innovation to the
US. The Swiss participants
were very pleased with the
achieved results and the full
pipeline of follow-ups ensures
a prosperous partnership with
the US in the future.”
Dr. Walter Steinmann, Director of the
Swiss Federal Offi ce of Energy and State
Secretary for Energy
Watt d’Or Opening Ceremony
16
Impact: The SUEID proved to be fruitful, and continue to add value for Switzerland.
At the end of 2014, the SFOE and MassCEC signed a collaborative agreement as
a direct tangible outcome. In 2015, MIT and ETH Zurich will hold their first two-day
energy symposium in Monte Verita in Switzerland, and the second edition of the
SUEID will take place in August 2015 in Zurich. In addition, the world’s largest startup
accelerator, MassChallenge, is already working with partners in Switzerland. Finally,
Federal Councillor Leuthard, who rode in a Tesla while in Boston, is the world’s first
Energy Minister with an official electric car. The SUEID were the catalyst for building
partnerships and continued conversations at various fronts.
Excellent Swiss Des ign
This past fall, swissnex Boston partnered with Design Preis Schweiz, and the
Massachusetts College of Art to bring the Excellent Swiss Design exhibition to
Boston. Designed to showcase highlights from the selection of winners and nominees
of the Design Prize Switzerland award, the exhibition and program of events offered
Boston designers and design aficionados alike a rare glimpse into contemporary
Swiss design, and an opportunity to engage in dialogue on design methodology with
the Swiss designers.
New York Outpost
Set up in August 2013, the New York Outpost’s first year has been a positive one that
has allowed our office to leverage New York’s strong startup ecosystem for the benefit
of Swiss entrepreneurs. The swissnex Boston New York Outpost hosted the Venture
Leaders for the first time, and co-organized the Zero Power Smart Fashion exhibition
and symposium on wearable tech and smart clothing during New York’s Fashion
Week in September.
“The Watt d’Or Grand Opening
Ceremony exhibition event
at Northeastern University’s
International Village was a
tremendous demonstration
of what is possible when the
finest Swiss minds set out to
tackle engineering problems,
resulting in some truly inspiring
and groundbreaking feats in
energy efficiency. The work on
display sets new standards in
achievement across a range
of industries, from building
renovation and modeling to
manufacturing processes.”
Chad O’ Connor, Lecturer, Northeastern University
Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days
17 swissnex annual report 2014
swissnex Boston Team with New York Outpost
Innovation Ecosystem: Boston has the top life sciences cluster in the US and is home to a large number of startups and high-tech companies. The world’s largest startup accelerator, MassChallenge, is based in Boston. Venture Capital Investment per Capita in Boston is one of the second highest in the nation at $693.60, only a close second to California at $699.74 in 2014.
New York City
Washington DC
EDUCATION is the most
significant resource in Boston, with over
300 colleges, universities and research
institutions within a 90-minute drive.
The intellectual powerhouse Boston
attracts more than 350,000 college
students from around the world, who
contribute more than $4.8 billion
annually to the region’s economy.
Sustainability: For the fourth year in a row, Boston continues to top the list of the Most Energy Efficient City among America’s 34 largest cities by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Always on the forefront of sustainability, the City of Boston has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020, and by 80% by 2050.
Economic Powerhouse: The economy of New York City is the largest regional economy in the United States. Its GDP alone is similar to that of Australia. Fashionable New York is also the second strongest venture capital market in the US, having surpassed Massachusetts in 2014.
Policy: Washington, D.C. is the science & innovation policy capital of the United States and sets world-wide trends.
Economy: A global city, Boston is placed among the world’s top 30 most economically powerful cities. Encompassing $363 billion, the Greater Boston metropolitan area has the sixth-largest economy in the US, all within a 25-km radius.
Boston is the world’s most dense innovation hub with an abundance of research, creativity, funding and talent. A remarkable 5.67% of its GDP (2011) was invested in R&D.
WHAT SETS BOSTON APART
Campus Biotech Geneva: First Public Presentation
18
Gioia Deucher, CEO, Consul
Forty-one, eight, seven, fi ve and one are the numbers that mark swissnex Brazil’s fi rst
year of existence.
In forty-one events in our eight months of activity, we built ourselves a niche in Rio
de Janeiro and São Paulo’s busy event schedules, connecting Swiss and Brazilian
scientists, innovators and artists.
With our fabulous new team of seven swissnexers from a variety of backgrounds, we
hosted fi ve delegations as they explored Brazil’s leading innovation institutions. All of
this was kick-started in one memorable inauguration ceremony in April 2014.
For swissnex Brazil, this fi rst year has been marked by a tremendously steep learning
curve, new spaces built, processes invented, knowledge gained, a culture created,
friendships made, dots connected.
It is thanks to the trust and support we experienced from you, our partners, that we
look back on an exciting year of discovery and creation.
We’re now ready to go full-steam into our second year of activity and look forward
to gaining new friends and partners as we continue exploring the swissnex network’s
latest frontier in the Southern hemisphere.
19 swissnex annual report 2014
swissnex Brazil Team
BRAZ IL
Up . . . and runn ing !
2014 started on the fl y for swissnex Brazil: two fi rst interns joined our small
team of two, just as we moved into our new offi ce space in Rio de Janeiro, and
were soon followed by our fi rst collaborator in the São Paulo satellite offi ce. In
a fi rst exercise of impressive teamwork, our brand new lobby with its fi rst digital
art installation, a two-day urbanism seminar, an architectural exhibition and
other festivities were ready on time to celebrate swissnex Brazil’s inauguration
on the memorable date 4/4/2014!
In the presence of Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann and a
46-person delegation from business, science and the media, swissnex Brazil’s
opening was celebrated in a series of events spanning two days.
“The swissnex Brazil
inauguration was very
original and offered an
excellent opportunity for
the Science and Economy
Delegation to create new
and interesting contacts in
a pleasant environment.”
Federal Councillor Johann
Schneider-Ammann
20
Under the symbolic theme of “Juntos
Construímos” (Together, We Build), experts
and thought leaders from Brazil and
Switzerland discussed best practices around
urban planning and social housing - a theme
taken up by an exhibition in the swissnex
offices, portraying outstanding Swiss-Brazilian
architectural projects conceived by ETH
Zurich in collaboration with local partners.
In the lobby of Casa da Suíça, which hosts
swissnex, the Consulate General and a Swiss
restaurant, video artists from HEAD Geneva
set a playful ambiance with an interactive
installation taking visitors on a virtual tour
of Switzerland. Against this backdrop and in
the presence of some 270 guests, Federal
Councilor solemnly announced the signature
of bilateral agreement between the SNSF
and Rio de Janeiro’s science foundation
FAPERJ, marking the beginning of a new era
of scientific collaboration underpinned by the
opening of swissnex Brazil.
Celebrations reached their peak with a
relaxed party on the breathtaking swissnex
Brazil terrace facing Rio’s eminent landmark,
the Sugarloaf. Over Raclette and Swiss wine
from the Ecole de Changins, paired with the
light tunes of live Bossa Nova music, new
Swiss-Brazilian friendships were made and
dots got connected.
Barely inaugurated, swissnex Brazil took on
a variety of projects touching on science,
education, art and innovation. The Academia
Industry Training, or AIT, held in November
2014, represents an innovative element of
Swiss-Brazilian cooperation in science.
In collaboration with the EPFL Leading
House, swissnex India and countless
local partners, the program launched with
an ambitious goal: to connect high-level
scientists from Switzerland with their peers
in India and Brazil, and inspire them to bring
their research to market.
In order to provide them with the tools to
kickstart their own venture, participants
attended hands-on workshops on
company creation, business modeling and
fundraising, just to name a few.
In an intense week of learning and working,
the Swiss and Brazilian researchers
exchanged knowhow, inspired one another
and created lasting bonds. And the good
news is that the AIT is not quite over yet:
in April 2015, the eleven participants will
reunite again in Switzerland to build on
insights and tools acquired, this time with a
perspective on the Swiss health market.
Leaving Switzerland’s first days of winter
for Rio’s sunny summer, each of the six
selected researchers from Switzerland
brought along a promising idea for
applying their research in the marketplace.
Along with five local peers joining the
training from four cities across Brazil, they
came to acquire new knowledge, identify
partners and discover opportunities in the
local health sector. In a week-long series
of workshops, lectures, company visits
and networking events, the participants
learned what it takes to enter the Brazilian
market, familiarizing themselves with the
peculiarities of the country’s scientific and
business landscapes.
Academia Industry Training (AIT) Camp
21 swissnex annual report 2014
“I learned exactly what I
needed to know what to
do with my company, to
keep it going and to seek
partnerships, not only with
Brazilian but also with Swiss
companies.”
Patricia Pelegrini, Founder and Partner at
Diagene Molecular Diagnosis
“In these first two days
I already learned much
more than I could
possibly imagine.”
Leonardo Chicaybam Ph.D. student at INCA
and Technologist at FIOCRUZ
BRAZ ILWHAT SETS BRAZIL APART
A hunger for
internationalization
Rio attracts great minds in the creative industry spanning from music to design. We bridged creative minds and fostered collaborations through events such as Act Like You Mean It, Poetic Sunset Churrasco, Movie Nights and the HEAD’s Swiss View.
The Brazilian government’s “Science Without Borders” program sends 100,000 students abroad each year. We supported this urge to internationalize by facilitating the signature of a Letter of Intent for bilateral research collaboration between science promotion agencies in Switzerland and Brazil (SNSF and FAPERJ).
With the World Cup and the Olympics, the eyes of the world are on Brazil. We presented Swiss science and innovation to visitors and sports fans at the House of Switzerland / Baixo Suíça during the FIFA World Cup 2014.
Brazil is a “new” window of opportunity in a globalized economy. We introduced Swiss researcher-entrepreneurs to Brazil ian market opportunities through the Academia Industry Training.
In the last 20 years Brazil’s output in scientific publications has risen by a factor of 5 making it Latin America’s largest producer of scientific publications. Brazil leads pioneering research and innovations in agriculture, IT and sustainability. We provide guidance for Swiss partners through Brazil’s lesser-known scientific and research landscape.
As the powerhouse of Latin America and with São Paulo as the hub for innovation and economic growth, we opened doors to the Brazilian business world through study tours and delegations.
A creative melting pot
A countryfull ofopportunities
The focus of the world
Opportunities abound due to non-saturation of the market:
Niches of Excellence
22
Pascal Marmier, CEO, Vice Consul General
Looking back to 2014, we are very happy that we could help a lot of innovators and
entrepreneurs fi nd collaborations, projects or fresh ideas in China. Thanks to venturelab,
10 tech entrepreneurs came to Shanghai and Beijing with the majority of them going
home with contracts, investments proposals or many follow up opportunities. Lift China
gathered together a large representation of makers from Europe and China who started
collaborating from the fi rst time they met.
We are also excited about some of the further interest of many stakeholders in our
activities. Swiss universities of Applied Sciences are in discussion with their counterparts in
China to launch a major collaborative effort following an offi cial discussion in Beijing. Our
CTI-sponsored Market Entry Camp also got a big boost as Swiss startups became more
active in looking for partners, customers or manufacturers.
In China, we feel that swissnex has a unique position to use its important status as part
of the Swiss government combined with its entrepreneurial spirit to achieve its goals.
For this, the team is key and I am thrilled about the excellence and diversity of each
person that has worked at swissnex China during the year. In 2015, we will continue our
exploration with new formats and programs with new partners!
23 swissnex annual report 2014
CH INA
HERE COMES THE NEW ERA OF INNOVAT ION
2014 marked a year full of new activities and achievements.
We are proud to say that we have engaged and connected the
Swiss and Chinese innovative communities more deeply. Many
new ideas were born through these connections and many more
collaborations are expected in the future.
The first edition of Lift China is a perfect example. By co-organising
this conference and bringing together Shanghai’s local makers
and interaction design community, swissnex China created a stage
where the local pioneers could share how they are shaping the
country’s open innovation ecosystem from a bottom-up approach.
With the makers tour, the creative minds from Europe brought their
knowledge to Shenzhen, which eventually led to the creation of
China’s first Biohackspace.
Lift China 2014
24
swissnex China was also thrilled to
collaborate with venturelab for the first
edition of venture leaders China. The selected
ten Swiss startups had an intensive program from
Beijing to Shanghai during ten days, with a variety of
activities including coaching, networking, pitching and business
development. Local experts were invited to share their expertise on
a variety of topics: legal aspects of entrepreneurship, fundraising, deal
negotiation, social media and PR, business culture and market opportunities.
The experience was very intense but extremely helpful as few of the startups got
in touch with VC in China and are now in the midst of due diligence with multimillion
investment in discussion. For swissnex, this program also led to the establishment of
a partnership with Tsinghua University Science Park (TusPark) allowing startups to
better access the rich tech ecosystem around this world-class university.
In education, there were many reasons to celebrate the strengthening of the Sino -
Swiss relations. Universities of Applied Sciences, in particular, continued to expand
their network through various programs ranging from sabbaticals, student exchanges
and joint degrees. The Canton of Vaud launched new summer schools in design,
nursing, business and engineering. We also welcomed close to 40 academic groups
of all disciplines that came on learning trips to China. On the more official side,
the team in Beijing was instrumental in gathering experts from the two countries to
discuss collaboration in vocational training and UAS governance.
swissnex China continues to evolve as a platform of connection, discovery and action-
oriented collaboration. We like to “make it happen” and we are ready for the coming
challenges in this fast-moving country. We will put a lot of effort to also increase
the number of Swiss students who come to discover China!
Thre
e lo
catio
ns in
Chi
na, w
ith a
pop
ulat
ion
of 2
4+, 2
3+, 1
7+ m
illion
s, wh
ere
Switz
erla
nd is
per
ceive
d as
a le
adin
g na
tion
in s
cien
ce a
nd te
chno
logy
Our i
mpa
ct in
clud
ing:
Beijing the capital city, the nation’s cultural and educational centre: • access to best universities
• direct dialogue with the Minister of Education
Shanghai, the commercial and financial centre: • bring Swiss entrepreneurs to local investors
• good connection with local makers group
Guangzhou, the global manufacturing hubs: • close relationship with manufacturing industries
• outreach to Shenzhen, China’s Sillicon Valley of Hardware WHAT
SET
S C
HIN
A
APA
RT
“swissnex China has
accompanied us, since our first
steps into Chinese market, with
its enthusiasm and efficiency.
From its highly competent team
with an interesting background
mixture, as a technology
startup, we have been helped
in almost all the aspects of
market development.”
Yun Luo, CEO & Founder of Plus MAT AG
venture leaders pitching against local entrepreneurs
25 swissnex annual report 2014
“What swissnex China has
been offering me is priceless -
professional insights to Chinese
business culture and institutional
context, active support for the
summer university and fast
connection with local networks.
I cannot be more satisfied.”
Anna Lupina-Wegener, Professor in Haute École
d’Ingénierie et de Gestion du Canton de Vaud,
School of Business and Engineering Vaud
We connected Swiss universities and research institutes to 50+ top local universities, educational institutes, labs and research centres.
Our ‘1st time’ achievements in 2014
• 1st time: first contact between KFH and Association
of Universities of Applied Sciences in China AUAS
• 1st time: Lift Conference in China
• 1st time: bring Swiss national startup team to
Beijing and Shanghai
We have solid “Guanxi” network, you will have prior access to
• Support from local government
• Contacts within Chinese creative and innovative
community
• Strong connection with other Swiss organisations
and 700+ Swiss university alumni
experts in ICT, Engineering, Cleantech,
Healthcare, Legal and Investment from
Shanghai & Beijing
local and international startup
incubators/accelerators
We engage Swiss startups with:
30+10+
swissnex China team in Guangzhao
swissnex China team in Beijing
swissnex China team in Shanghai
关系
2626
Balz Strasser CEO, Consul General
“Come and see!” - probably the words I have used most in 2014 while in touch with
colleagues from the Swiss academic and innovation community. Those who came did
not take long to realize the huge potential of the Indian subcontinent that’s rich in
colours, cultures, contradictions, and above all, of visionary and talented youth.
By bringing together Swiss and Indian colleagues under one roof,
swissnex India is turning into an important hub for the exchange of ideas and dreams,
for leveraging capabilities and last but not least establishing meaningful partnerships
with a long term vision.
With our teams in Bangalore and Delhi we will further assist Switzerland to strengthen
its ties with India which is changing its perception from an “outsourcing” hub to a
fl ourishing base for academic exchange, R&D activities and innovation.
Also in 2015 we will re-invent ourselves and remain “permanently under
construction”... Please join us in our journey to build more bridges between
Switzerland and India.
27 swissnex annual report 2014
2014 has been a signifi cant year for swissnex India, marked by a number of
groundbreaking fi rsts. A year of new discoveries and new milestones, many concrete
steps were taken to further connect the dots between Switzerland and India.
Entrepreneurship and innovation at swissnex India empowered over 40 Swiss
startups through various innovative platforms, among which the Startup Tour
Bangalore 2014 and Academia Industry Training (AIT) were the prominent ones.
Through the Startup Tour, swissnex India hosted 8 Swiss startups who underwent
the four-day-long intensive immersion and hands on market validation program.
A year of many f irsts
“I made a great fi rst step
of market validation and
gained very useful insights.
I say excellent and I would
recommend it to everyone.”
Carlos Ruiz (CEO, fl atev AG)
INDIA
Startup Tour Bangalore 2014
28
Bangalore owned its very first TEDx chapter in 2014. As
the Swiss Innovation partner at TEDxBangalore, India’s
largest TEDx event with over 1,500 guests, swissnex
India showcased two visionary Swiss startups - GovFaces
and dizmo. TEDx served as the ideal platform for these
startups to present their ideas and products to the wider
Indian public and use their stay as a starting point for
validating the Indian market.
swissnex India also conducted the Academia Industry
Training (AIT) in November 2014, in association with
EPFL, venture leaders, and the Robert Bosch Centre.
The programme hosted 14 researchers from India and
Switzerland for one-week-long, hands-on immersion and
training program to learn how to bring their research and
innovation to Indian market in the future.
Academia also saw many firsts, amongst which facilitating
the MoU between the National Institute of Mental Health
and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in India and the Swiss
Tropical and Public Health Institute, was a significant
milestone. The partnership includes an agenda of
interdisciplinary public and global health research, training
and capacity building, media and mental health events,
and capacity development.
A first-of-its-kind Gaming Jam was held in November,
allowing Swiss design students to draw inspiration
from India. Students from Zurich University of the Arts
(ZHdK) and University of Art and Design Lausanne
(ECAL) collaborated with with Indian game designers
in this unique social experiment that turned into a deep
exploration of the cultural aspects of India, and how they
inspire vibrant games that can travel the world.
In 2014 we widened our horizons to themes such as rock
art conservation and Indian subcultures. In June, we
collaborated with Martin Vernier, one of the three founding
members of TEDAHL, (Team for the Exploration and
Documentation of the Archaeology and History of Ladakh
- a non-profit group registered in Switzerland) to conduct
a workshop to sensitise the local population on preserving
the rock art of Ladakh, in Jammu and Kashmir.
Academia Industry Training (AIT) Camp 2014
“We are amazed by the diverse options thrown at
us by the Indian culture - the diversity in colors,
products, people, buying patterns and customer
experiences ”
Maike Thies and Alain Bellet, mentors to the design students
Martin Vernier in Ladakh
Gaming Jam at Swissnex India 2014
29 swissnex annual report 2014
swissnex India Team in Bangalore
100,000
120+Technology Incubators
Home to a diverse set of domains:
ICT, Med Tech, Clean Tech, Social Impact, Design, Bio Tech, Healthcare, Culinary and more!
Indi
a, in
par
ticul
ar
Ban
galo
re
1000+2600+
WHA
T S
ETS
INDIA
APA
RT
The Higher Education system comprises 700+
universities and 35,000 colleges that includes
13 IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) and
17 IITs (Indian Institute of Technology); featured
among the Top 100 institutes for management
and engineering studies in the world.
An English-speaking,
highly-educated
workforce with diverse
skillsets.
Among the 3000+ MNCs in India, Bangalore alone hosts 150+ MNCs, 30+ Swiss companies, and has a presence of 50% of the world’s SEI CMM Level 5 certified companies.
125+ R&D centres in the field of core engineering, information technology, basic and applied sciences, aerospace etc.
Over
expats working in Indiaventure capitalists andangel investors
startups every year
30
Christian Simm, Founder and CEO
In our 2013 report, we promised to develop meaningful, user-centric, actionable, and
online programs and initiatives in pursuit of our mission. We delivered in 2014 with
MEANINGFUL projects like the earthquake resilience hackathon with ETH Zurich, aimed
at making cities more responsive after disaster. We held series on urban design and how
to feed growing populations through seed science, urban gardens, and aquaponics.
swissnex San Francisco also took the lead role in transforming the swissnex network’s
online presence—a new website that puts USERS fi rst. We developed the Data Canvas
in 2014, which takes off in 2015 with partners including the Lift Conference, the entire
swissnex network, and citizens around the world building environmental sensors and
releasing the data ONLINE for everyone to use and make ACTIONABLE. We’re proud
of our role in strengthening Switzerland in science, education, art, and innovation, and
we’ll continue to scan the future and connect the dots.
3 1 swissnex annual report 2014
swissnex San Francisco invited the creators of the artistic and inspirational Birdly full
body virtual reality fl ight simulator to bring their machine to the Bay Area. It drew
attention from numerous media outlets (Wired, Vice, etc.) during its public exhibit at
swissnex, and inspired thousands of virtual fl iers when it touched down at NightLife
at the California Academy of Sciences and After Dark at the Exploratorium before
soaring to success in Vancouver, B.C., taking top prize in the Augmented/Virtual
Reality Contest at SIGGRAPH 2014.
SAN FRANC ISCO
FUTURE FORWARD
BIRDLY
Birdly, a full-body vritual reality fl ight simulator created by Max Rheiner, touches down at swissnex San Francisco.
“swissnex was a great platform
to host our project. With their
support we immediately made
connections with people from the
local universities, companies,
investors, designers, artists, and
media. Further, we could show
our work at their space and use
their infrastructure to plan future
collaborations with the contacts
we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly
collaborations with the contacts collaborations with the contacts collaborations with the contacts collaborations with the contacts
we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly
their infrastructure to plan future
collaborations with the contacts
their infrastructure to plan future
collaborations with the contacts
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
their infrastructure to plan future
collaborations with the contacts
we gain from the Bay Area.” we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly
collaborations with the contacts collaborations with the contacts
we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly
collaborations with the contacts collaborations with the contacts
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly
collaborations with the contacts
we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly
we gain from the Bay Area.” we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly and the mastermind behind Birdly
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
we gain from the Bay Area.”
Max Rheiner, Zurich University of the ArtsMax Rheiner, Zurich University of the Arts
and the mastermind behind Birdly
32
Rheiner and team formed solid connections to
leaders at Google, Oculus, and Logitech during
their North American tour, and in the months since
have launched a company, dominated the VR press,
and stolen the show at New Frontier, an exhibit
at the Sundance Film Festival (one of the largest
independent festivals in the US), to which they were
invited. Truly the stuff of dreams!
D ig ital D isrupt ion
Author William Gibson said, “The future is already
here—it’s just not very evenly distributed.” This is
why, in 2014, swissnex San Francisco connected
Switzerland to emerging digital trends we suspect will
revolutionize the way we live, work, learn, and play.
Our Book Lab exhibit traveled to Switzerland to
ask: What will books become in the digital era?
The Planet Mapping event and PLACEMAKERS
exhibit examined the science and art of digital and
3D maps. Spatial Stories exposed the coming wave
(now here) of virtual reality in the gaming industry.
Digital is also shaking up traditional communications.
We received groups from Swiss radio, TV, and print
in 2014 seeking inspiration and a preview of changes
to come. Our Digital Campus program offered
webinars, consulting sessions, and study tours
to empower Swiss higher education to leverage
social media and new technology for branding and
community-building.
We also conceived and carried out a study tour
about the Future of Money that investigated what
virtual currencies, digital wallets, and mobile
payments might mean for the financial sector.
Presentation during the Future of Money study tour
Visitors to an event on 3D mapping
“I discovered that what matters [in Silicon
Valley] is not the technology or the execution
but the user experience” Patrice Crisinel, Former Chief of Staff for NorInvest
Participant - Future of Money study tour
PLACEMAKERS exhibition at swissnex San Francisco
33 swissnex annual report 2014
WHAT
SETS SF
APARTThe nation’s largest concentration of
national laboratories, corporate and
independent research laboratories, and
leading research universities
The largest number of top-ten ranked graduate programs in business, law, medicine, and engineering in the nation
The highest density of venture capital firms in the world, with more than one third of total U.S. venture capital funding invested in the region.
Business Hub More Fortune 500 companies than any U.S. region except New York, the sixth highest concentration of Fortune Global 500 companies in the world (after New York, London, Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing), and a much larger proportion of small businesses than other metropolitan regions
incubators/accelerators in the Silicon Valley
EDUCATION
EXCELLENCE
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
STARTUP ECOSYSTEM
RESEARCH DRIVEN
+50Highest concentration of
innovation-related jobs in the U.S.
TOP GLOBAL INNOVATION CENTRE
swissnex San Francisco Team
“I’m taking home the idea to think big, go beyond, and then work
in reality. I learned visiting Stanford and UC Berkeley to say ‘let’s
do it, let’s do it quick, and we can do it.”
Philipp Funk, online-manager at the school for health professions, Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Participant - Digital Campus study tour
34
Suzanne Hraba-Renevey, CEO
2014 marked the 10th anniversary of swissnex Singapore. In ten years our outreach has
grown substantially, gauged by the variety of academic and corporate partners, the
domains of scientifi c and academic excellence and the repertoire of activities within the
innovation sector. The anniversary was an opportunity to look back, to thank our partners,
celebrate and embrace the future in an inspiring environment.
The relationship between Swiss and Singaporean communities has evolved in complexity,
based on strategic exchange of knowledge and leading to joint research programs as
well as local hubs, exemplifi ed by the Singapore ETH Centre and the St Gallen Institute
of Management in Asia. Today, cooperation takes place not only at the level of higher
education, but also at the dual education and apprenticeship level, a fl agship of Swiss
know-how. Furthermore, a growing number of lean Swiss startups explore Singapore as a
springboard to the region, leveraging programs supporting entrepreneurial activities.
In 2015, we look forward to engaging our existing and new partners through conducive
platforms at the edge of disruptive innovation and fuel new avenues of collaboration!
35 swissnex annual report 2014
S INGAPORE
1 0th Ann iversary Celebrat ions
To mark this milestone, swissnex Singapore, supported by numerous partners, hosted
celebrations under the slogan “Engaging the Future through Innovation”, graced by State
Secretary Mauro Dell’Ambrogio and his delegation. This event enabled the swissnex
stakeholders to showcase various facets of interdisciplinary innovation via presentations,
performances, panel discussions, musical and culinary interventions, as well as design-
driven innovation stations.
With a session “Enabling Social Entrepreneurship through Impact Investing“, supported
by Lombard Odier and experts across corporate, research and entrepreneurship
backgrounds, swissnex Singapore paved the way for an intensified engagement into
social innovation. Supported by Nestlé, the second session “Integrating Food, Health
and Sustainability” engaged experts from the perspective of individual and public
health, security, consumer behaviour, ageing and sustainability. The session “Engaging
the Future through Innovation”, supported by Luther, was tackled by Parag Khanna, a
renowned global strategist, in the format of an interactive debate.
“Congratulations on 10
years of inspiring work. Best
wishes for the next 10!”
Prof. Peter Edwards, Director,
Singapore ETH Centre
swissnex Singapore Team10th Anniversary Celebrations
36
Experience sharing on Space Exploration by Prof. Claude Nicollier
In parallel to the three sessions, innovation stations showcased excellence in science, technology, and
the arts – a melting pot of interdisciplinary collaborations by Swiss stakeholders and their Singapore
partners: ECAL and its Computer Orchestra as well as Food Design Exhibition in collaboration with the
National University of Singapore, water-related innovative technologies presented by Creaholic and
musical performances under the umbrella of the Canton of Vaud Summer Universities. Adding to the
food for thought, a festive menu and live stations by awarded Chefs from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne,
ensured a conducive networking and outstanding celebration.
CELEBRAT ING SPACE EXPLORAT ION The swissnex Singapore End of Year Celebration 2014, gave the floor to key Swiss players and their
local partners, while thanking supporters and engaging communities. The highlight of the evening was
Switzerland’s one and only astronaut, Claude Nicollier, who shared his multiple experiences in space.
Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD) further explored the theme by a glimpse in the future
of digital media and arts focusing on interactive visualisation, as an inspiring bridge between art and
science. Drone interludes showcased by undergraduates from Singapore University of Technology
and Arts, as well as impromptu acting performances by Lasalle College of the Arts alumni enthralled
the audience. The combination of interactive animations, presentations, performances in a festive
environment favoured interactions and engaging discussions about collaborative projects for the
forthcoming year.
37 swissnex annual report 2014
“swissnex was fantastic
during all the time I spent in
Singapore and organized for
me the best and most relevant
meetings I could expect.”
Jean-Pierre Greff, Director, Geneva
University of Art and Design (HEAD)
WHAT SETS SINGAPORE APART
Perfect for a soft landing of entrepreneurs willing to use Singapore as a test bed and springboard to the region
Artists active at the edge of science and technologies welcome in this open and curiosity driven environment
Great opportunity for Swiss institutions of higher
learning and research institutes to build strategic
alliances and implement regional hubs
• Political and financial commitment in education and research.
• Hosting global players in competitive research.
• State-of-the-art infrastructure
• Recent focus on Culture and Arts• Substantial funding available• Willingness to explore new synergies
between science and art
• Competitive and innovation-Driven• Business-friendly• Intellectual property-protective• Tech savvy and early adaptor• Multicultural• Numerous incentives for startups• Regional hub in the heart of South-East Asia
10th Anniversary Celebrations
38
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
39 40swissnex annual report 2014 swissnex annual report 2014
swissnex’s mission couldn’t be achieved without the support of many local partners. Have a look at the individual swissnex websites for the list of local partners.
42
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