Highlights
A year in review
In the news
In the news
What makes Switzerland an innovation hotspot? GGBa Executive Director Thomas Bohn answered the question in a live interview with French business news channel BFM Business. Innovation was also the subject of an article written for DER Mittelstand, the magazine of the German association for small and medium-sized enterprises, aptly titled “Leading innovator Switzerland”. In a guest article for Munich Startup, GGBa listed the advantages Switzerland offers to internationalizing startups. GGBa also made its first podcast appearance.
Partners Network: our curated list of service providers
Partners Network: our curated list of service providers
GGBa launched Partners Network, a platform connecting international companies looking at setting up business operations in Western Switzerland with local service providers who can support them on their investment journey. Over 50 Swiss-based partners are currently listed on the platform. They provide professional services and consulting across a number of specialist areas, such as Accounting & Tax, Banking & Finance, Legal Services, Relocation Services, Recruitment & HR Solutions, and more.
Webinars as marketing tools
Webinars as marketing tools
As the pandemic dragged on, webinars continued to be an efficient tool to stay connected and engage entrepreneurs across the world. GGBa co-organized two digital events specifically tailored to the needs and interests of French investors: a presentation of Switzerland’s Health Valley in partnership with the France Biotech association; and a virtual seminar on the opportunities in Switzerland for French start-ups in collaboration with the French Alps International Soft-landing Exchange program (FAISE). GGBa also co-hosted a webinar with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on the latest developments in agricultural drones and robotics in Western Switzerland.
Committed to a healthy Health Valley
Committed to a healthy Health Valley
The life sciences sector is a key target industry for GGBa, as we focus on strengthening the local ecosystem by bringing novel competences to the region. Promotional activities are also a major component of our work. In 2021, GGBa launched HubsGoGlobal, a platform showcasing the advantages of Western Switzerland for international life sciences companies looking for a base for their HQs, R&D units, service centers, or manufacturing activities. On the events front, GGBa organized and moderated a roundtable discussion titled “Swiss Health Valley meets Health Valley Netherlands” during the Health Valley Event (HVE), the largest healthcare innovation conference in the Netherlands. GGBa also renewed its long-standing partnership with BioAlps, as the organization celebrated 20 years of life sciences innovation in Western Switzerland.
A new Director of Life Sciences
A new Director of Life Sciences
GGBa welcomed a new team member in 2021. Yassin Nahi is an accomplished and multilingual investment promotion professional with nearly 10 years of experience in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction. Based in London, Yassin assists life sciences companies globally in evaluating Western Switzerland as a location for their future operations.
Finally meeting again
Finally meeting again
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, (almost) all GGBa representatives living abroad were able to travel to Switzerland for a fruitful week of training, meetings, and visits. The GGBa Training Week 2021 took place from August 21-27 and provided a framework for the exchange of updates, ideas and best practices among all stakeholders involved in promoting Western Switzerland as a business destination.
Successful collaboration with the French-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Successful collaboration with the French-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry
GGBa maintained close cooperation with the French-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFS), partaking in various initiatives designed for internationalizing companies. Our organization was involved as a partner, sponsor or speaker in the French-Swiss Commerce Trophies, the Franco-Swiss Business Forum, the Setting up in Switzerland event, as well as numerous sector-specific meetings.
Promoting the Trust Valley
Promoting the Trust Valley
GGBa organized and hosted a panel discussion titled “Cybersecurity innovation made in Switzerland: what’s in it for Belgian companies?” at the Belgian Cyber Security Convention, a hybrid event. With the participation of Lennig Pedron (Trust Valley), and Swiss entrepreneur Laurent Balmelli (Strong Network), the session focused on existing opportunities in Western Switzerland for Belgian enterprises active in the cybersecurity and digital trust space.#SwissTech in the spotlight at Slush
#SwissTech in the spotlight at Slush
GGBa was part of the Swiss delegation which attended Slush, the world’s leading start-up event, held in Helsinki on December 1-2. Under the motto “The Entrepreneurial Renaissance”, the conference brought together over 8,000 attendees, including 3,200 start-up founders and operators, and 1,500 investors. Together with the Swiss Embassy in Finland, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), Presence Switzerland and other #SwissTech partners, GGBa was at the Swiss Pavilion to showcase the country’s innovation and deeptech start-up ecosystem.
Regular news updates
Regular news updates
GGBa regularly produces articles and newsletters to keep our network abreast of the latest investments, upcoming events and economic developments in Western Switzerland. More than 180 news items were published last year on the GGBa website, the news ticker of Switzerland Global Enterprise, and our social media platforms. In 2021, GGBa joined swisstrade, the first information platform in English dedicated to Swiss foreign trade. Launched by the swiss export association, swiss trade provides an additional channel for the dissemination of our content.
The return of live business events
The return of live business events
The latter half of 2021 witnessed an albeit moderate restart of the important industry conference and trade show circuit. With an optimistic eye on re-engaging with our contemporaries and future partners, the GGBa team in the United States participated in a few key events, ranging from sustainable mobility (MOVE America) and unmanned vehicles (Xponential and Commercial UAV Expo) to digital healthcare (HIMMS). Our participation at HIMMS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) was a first and was precipitated by GGBa’s role in a broader Swiss-wide marketing initiative targeting the digital healthcare sector in the United States.
From left to right: Manuel Haymoz, Trade Commissioner Investment Promotion, Swiss Business Hub USA; Christoph Besmer, Head Investment Promotion, Swiss Business Hub USA; and Matt Julian, Senior Advisor, GGBa.