THE LEADING
TECHNOLOGY PRIZE
IN SWITZERLAND

Swiss Technology Award

Innovations are a key driver of the Swiss economy. They ensure our prosperity. The presentation of the Swiss Technology Award supports and promotes this culture of innovation. Each year, outstanding technology-based innovations and developments from start-ups, universities and technical institutions as well as established businesses are awarded prizes in three categories.

This prize is the most important distinction for innovation and technology transfer in Switzerland. The Swiss Technology Award was taken over from the Swiss Economic Forum AG in 2008 and will be presented for the 31st time at the Swiss Innovation Forum 2019.

Categories

The high-calibre jury awards the sought-after title each year in the following three categories:

Inventors
You have already taken real ownership of how your idea will be implemented with a company structure. Your technology / product is defined and ideally prototypes already exist. You have looked into possibilities for financing, production and marketing, and are able to produce a solid business plan.

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• Application-oriented R&D projects
• Industry-focused and / or university-based technology project
• Concrete project with a good chance of success
• Possession of a separate legal entity not necessary / Company not yet founded

Start-ups(Rising Stars)
You have already taken real ownership of how your idea will be implemented with a company structure. Your product is defined and ideally you already have prototypes. You have looked into possibilities for financing, production and marketing, and are able to produce a solid business plan.
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• Company founded
• Functioning prototype / Proof of concept
• Market and customer feedback ideally already available
• Initial sales or funding rounds realised

Innovation Leaders
You are an established company that possesses a successful product portfolio. Thanks to your R&D activities, new and convincing solutions have been launched which clearly benefit sustainability not only environmentally but also economically and/or socially. By utilising new technological developments, employing new materials and/or methods and lastly by using resources more efficiently, you not only contribute to finding solutions to global challenges but also help to preserve resources and/or open new markets.
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• Established company with several products on the market
• Key figures show improved resource efficiency/social sustainability or concrete cost savings
• Company is established and has positive cash flow
• Product / technology on the market / customer base

Who can Apply?

• Innovative entrepreneurs
• Innovative projects from research institutions
• Business and industry start-ups
• University and college projects
• Established companies with innovative, technology-based developments

Conditions of participation

To participate, must be satisfied the following requirements:

• The innovation was developed in Switzerland or further developed by a company / institution based in Switzerland.
• The innovation can be judged to be particularly innovative and unique in terms of its technological and economic application and its potential in the marketplace.
• The innovation makes an important contribution to meeting industrial and social needs.

Benefits and Added Value

The Swiss Technology Award is more than just a trophy. The winners will receive a comprehensive support package:

• Participation at an international trade fair
• Video showcasing their company and the innovation
• Elevator pitch at the Swiss Innovation Forum in front of 1,000 decision-makers from business, politics, science and media
• Extensive media exposure and marketing support
• Simplified access to the SEF4KMU growth initiative