The canton of Vaud is one of the main centers for research and innovation in Switzerland, with the largest academic and technology campus in the country and several research centers as well as internationally known industries, particularly in life sciences, micro-nanotechnologies, ICTs and cleantech. The Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation (SPEI) is the official public organization that supports companies located within the canton of Vaud, especially those involved in sectors of advanced technology and industry. Indeed, SPEI advises entrepreneurs and puts them in contact with organizations that are appropriate to their specific needs. SPEI can also provide direct financial support.

Innovaud is the entry door to innovation in the Canton of Vaud. It offers free of charge support to startups, scale-ups and SMEs focusing on technology-based innovations. Support includes financing, access to innovation parks, coaching, promotion and networking. Innovaud helps innovative companies in Life Science, Information and Communication Technology, Precision Industry and Cleantech. Innovaud is an initiative of the State of Vaud. It is carried by the Department of Economy, Innovation and Sport (DEIS) as well as the Department of Education, Youth and Culture (DFJC). In 2016, Innovaud created the Scale Up Vaud program and label, which aims to encourage and reinforce innovative companies in phase of high growth that are based in the Canton of Vaud. Today, 25 companies are part of the Scale Up Vaud program. Altogether, these companies generated 2360 jobs worldwide, out of which 1400 are based in Switzerland. www.innovaud.ch / www.scale-up-vaud.ch

CPV Partners is a Swiss law firm, active in the Lake of Geneva area and in the Western Switzerland, specializing in business and commercial law, as well as in sports law. CPV Partners offers the full spectrum of leal services in business law and sports law and assists the companies, entrepreneurs, management teams and stakeholders in efficiently anticipating, managing and resolving all legal issues that relate to a business.

CleantechAlps, Western Switzerland’s cleantech cluster CleantechAlps is the platform dedicated to the development of the clean technology sector in western Switzerland. The region’s gateway to the cleantech field, its purpose is to bring together all the research organisations, industries and services that contribute to the protection and conservation of natural resources and the production of renewable energy. CleantechAlps is the region’s driving force for the development of the sector, promoting interaction between businesses and players in the field, and increasing their visibility. www.cleantech-alps.com/en

Alp ICT is the cluster for digital innovation in Western Switzerland, which connects the various players in the tech ecosystem (companies, R&D, institutional and financial players). The cluster focuses in particular on the digital transition of SMEs, presenting the opportunities offered by the SwissMade technological innovations. Alp ICT offers information, promotion and networking services through targeted events around cutting-edge technologies emerging from the Swiss digital ecosystem. Thus, the cluster aims to stimulate the economic development of Switzerland, by reinforcing the predominant position of its industries in terms of innovation. Alp ICT was initiated in 2008 by the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva, Valais and Jura, with the support of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.

BioAlps is a diversified Life Sciences cluster and represents 1185 Western Switzerland companies in the fields of biotech, medtech, pharma, nutrition and e-health. Supported by the 12 academic institutions, the 7 cantons of Western Switzerland and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), BioAlps offers a dynamic network and an innovative and supportive environment with immediate access to the world of Life Sciences. The Association’s aim is to promote the excellence and performance of the industry in the region. The community can network and share business opportunities during events organised and supported by BioAlps in Switzerland and internationally.

Based in Lausanne, Biopôle is one of the largest life sciences campuses in Europe. Its ecosystem supports emerging enterprises: widespread collaboration among its members means talent and expertise converge to cultivate cutting-edge developments. Pioneering spaces like ready-to-go laboratories StartLab and Superlab, as well as the Digital Health Hub encourage people to connect. Biopôle also provides financial help through its Start-up Fund and strategic support via its Vanguard Accelerator. Biopôle offers state-of-the-art facilities to over 150 companies, from start-ups to multinationals. It’s also home to more than 25 world-famous academic research groups. Its vibrant community includes over 2,500 people, who are developing innovations in pharma, medtech, biotech, digital health and more.

With its 100 Members, BAS (Business Angels Switzerland), is the oldest business angels club in the country. It supports startup companies through capital financing. On top of their time and money, members also share expertise, know-how and personal contacts with the companies they invest in. BAS members financed more than 120 startups within the framework of the club. BAS organises 20 events each year in Zürich and Lausanne or Geneva area.

Micronarc is the dedicated micro-nanotech communication platform created by the governments of the seven cantons that constitute Western Switzerland (Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud). The executive office is the FSRM in Neuchâtel, in collaboration with the GIM-CH in Lausanne. Micronarc is the dedicated micro-nanotech communication platform created by the governments of the seven cantons that constitute Western Switzerland (Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud). The executive office is the FSRM in Neuchâtel, in collaboration with the GIM-CH in Lausanne.

StartLab is the first life-sciences dedicated incubator in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It offers 700 m2 of fully equipped laboratories and 300 m2 of shared offices, as a new home for 10-12 start-up companies of 35-40 persons in total. It has been designed to maximize the chances of success for aspiring business creators. A key feature is a “pay as you play” flexible pricing model, which requires less funds to get started, reduces risk for investors and lowers dilution for entrepreneurs. Based at Biopôle, a leading Swiss life sciences park, StartLab’s founding founding sponsors include Retraites Populaires, Losinger Marazzi, Teo Jakob and Milian. Strategic partners are the Canton of Vaud, Innovaud, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV).

The Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association (SECA) is the representative body for Switzerland‘s private equity, venture capital and corporate finance industries. SECA has the objective to promote private equity and corporate finance activities in Switzerland.

ThinkSport is the thought leader and trusted advisor for organisations engaged in sport and physical activity, in Switzerland and beyond. Based in the Olympic capital of Lausanne, our unique location and network enables us to push for transformation and innovation. Founded in 2015 among others by the Swiss Canton of Vaud and the International Olympic Committee, ThinkSport’s aim is to build bridges between its national & international network: federations, companies, academic institutions and innovation hubs.

Venture Kick was launched in 2007 with the vision to double the number of spin-offs at Swiss universities, to accelerate the time-to-market and to raise the attractiveness of these young companies to professional investors and industry partners. Since beginning, Venture Kick supported 600 startup projects with 25,000,000 CHF start capital. These startups created 6,000 active jobs and raised 2,500,000,000 CHF.

Venturelab started with this mission in 2004. Ever since we have reviewed tens of thousands of business ideas and have trained thousands of startups. Last year 69 Venturelab alumni made it to the TOP 100 Swiss startups. Today our Venture Leaders like Abionic, BioVersys, Covagen, Climeworks, Doodle, GetYourGuide, HouseTrip, L.E.S.S., QualySense, Poken or InSphero are truly building world-class startups. Swiss Made. Supported by Venturelab.