More weight for the Innovation Park of Eastern Switzerland
The Innovation Park East is now the sixth location in the overall Swiss Innovation Park network. In the first phase, the thematic focus of the Innovation Park East will be on the areas of health, digitalisation and the MEM industry (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and metal industry).
Main location of the Innovation Parks East is the Lerchenfeld campus at Empa in the city of St. Gallen. A secondary site is being built in Buchs SG, according to the Federal Council's announcement. In addition to St. Gallen, the cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Thurgau and the Principality of Liechtenstein are represented in the sponsorship.
What does the Innovation Park East offer?
According to information, the Innovation Park East offers a development, laboratory and working infrastructure that corporate research teams and scientific institutions can use for joint innovation projects. In this ecosystem, they can further increase their competitiveness and innovation performance, it is emphasized.
The Federal Council's decision concluded a year-long review and approval process that included an assessment of the project by an independent panel of experts. With the connection to the Umbrella organization of the Swiss Innovation Park, the foundation "Switzerland Innovation"The Innovation Park East will now be included in the Swiss-wide network.
Public-Private Partnership Initiative
The Swiss Innovation Park is a public-private partnership initiative of national importance run by the federal government and the cantons, the scientific community and the private sector. Under the umbrella brand "Switzerland Innovation", the Innovation Park has so far comprised five site providers (in the vicinity of the two Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich and Lausanne, as well as in Aargau, Northwestern Switzerland and Biel). Three of these network sites are each linked to several regional sites. Recently, the locations of Central Switzerland and Ticino have joined the "Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich" location support, as the Federal Council writes.
The sites would be financed in principle by the siting cantons and private investors. By leasing space for the settlement of companies and the provision of services, they should become self-supporting in the medium term, according to the statement. The private-law foundation "Switzerland Innovation" would act as an umbrella organisation and interface with the federal government.
Source: Confederation
Further articles on the subject: Innovation park creates major economic benefits
