In the landscape of modern innovation, cross-country collaborations play a pivotal role in progressing artificial intelligence, healthcare, agritech, food, and many other industries. These international partnerships enable the blending of diverse expertise and resources within research projects, facilitating the creation of cutting-edge services tailored to the growing demands of each of the above-mentioned countries' markets.

At the forefront of fostering these symbiotic relationships is the International Projects Call of Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. Innosuisse provides the financial backbone for ambitious and innovative projects to collaborate with Swiss companies and enter Switzerland.

The following opportunities are open for innovators in other countries to collaborate with the Swiss ecosystem: 

Swiss-British Synergy in Technology and Innovation
As examples of collaborative success, Switzerland and the United Kingdom unite to co-create the future of tech. Their joint venture spotlights developing products and applications with significant market potential for the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Through a melding of Swiss British innovation, the companies' partnership is primed to catalyze advancements, broaden market access, and reinforce economic vitality in the following areas:

  • Life sciences
  • AI
  • Semiconductor Applications
  • Quantum

Project timeline to submit the joint proposal:

  • Call Launch: 17 Jan 2024
  • Submission Opening: 01 May 2024
  • Submission Deadline: 09 Aug 2024
  • Decision Notification: On or after 09 Aug 2024

Swiss-Brazilian Alliance: Diverse Technology for a Sustainable Future
Switzerland and Brazil's alliance is a testament to their mutual dedication to sustainability and innovation in focus of climatech, agritech and sustainability. The Swiss commitment to detail complements Brazil's creative agility, culminating in sustainable, market-responsive advancements. This bi-national effort not only underpins economic growth but also promotes ecological stewardship.

Topics in focus include:

  • Biotech; Medtech; Healthtech
  • Agritech and Foodtech
  • Bioeconomy; Circular Economy
  • Climatech and Sustainability
  • Cleantech; Clean Energy & Water

Project timeline:

  • Call Launch: 26 Feb 2024
  • Submission Deadline: 01 Dec 2024
  • Decision Notification: 01 Jan 2025

Swiss-South Korean Technological Frontiers
The collaborative spirit between Switzerland and South Korea signals a leap into new technological domains and focuses strongly on industrial use. This partnership's emphasis on digitalization and renewable energy heralds the development of innovations that could define market trends and set international standards.

Topics in focus include:

  • Biotech; MedTech
  • Digitalisation; Industry 4.0; IoT, Artificial Intelligence
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Smart Materials / Innovative Surfaces
  • Augmented and Virtual Reality
  • Hydrogen Technologies
  • Renewable Energy & Batteries

Project timeline:

  • Call Launch: 07 Feb 2024
  • Submission Deadline: 30 July 2024
  • Decision Notification: 01 Oct 2024

How are drones aligned with these global partnerships? 
Drones equipped with biotech sensors stand to revolutionize MedTech by facilitating real-time health monitoring and emergency responses, aligning with digitalization and IoT infrastructures to enhance remote patient care. 

The integration of AI propels drones into the forefront of Industry 4.0, enabling them to streamline additive manufacturing processes through autonomous precision and efficient material handling, even in isolated and rural areas.

Furthermore, the utilization of smart materials and innovative surfaces used to build drones optimizes their aerodynamics and resilience, crucial for the evolution of a sustainable advanced air mobility. Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies are increasingly woven into drone navigation systems, offering operators immersive experiences, offering advanced and safer control for complex drone flight operations. 

Lastly, incorporating hydrogen technologies and advanced battery systems within drones or eVTOL aircrafts enables a sustainable shift in air mobility, significantly extending flight durations while minimizing environmental impact, signaling a greener horizon for transportation and logistics.

The Advantage of Collaborating with Swiss Companies and Entering Switzerland with a New Product

Switzerland’s role as a nexus for innovation is significantly amplified through these international partnerships. Switzerland is well known as a drone valley with more than 100 drone and drone-related companies mentioned in the report of the Swiss drone industry association. Also, in comparison to the rest of Europe, the Swiss FOCA is famous for its forward thinking and agile mindset regarding unmanned aviation. They have recently announced that Europe’s first U-space will be launched in Zurich by 2025. 

As a country, Switzerland is considered an ideal location for business and innovation due to several key factors. First, it boasts a stable economy supported by a robust financial system, a strong currency, and low inflation rates, attracting collaborations looking for a secure business climate. Its strategic location in the heart of Europe provides easy access to European markets through excellent transportation networks, making it a convenient hub for trade and commerce. Additionally, Switzerland has a multilingual population fluent in German, French, Italian, and English, which is a significant advantage in a globalized market and for hiring.

Combining the Swiss ecosystem with the dynamic capabilities of the UK, Brazil, and South Korea fosters a competitive advantage, ensuring that the resulting innovations are well-positioned for success both in local and global markets.

These collaborations, fostered by Innosuisse, exemplify the vast potential of international cooperation in fueling innovation. 

Learn more: https://www.innosuisse.ch/inno/en/home/go-global/ausschreibungen.html]