Highlights A year in review
A busy year of events
GGBa representatives actively engaged in a dynamic lineup of international events, reinforcing Switzerland’s position as a premier business and innovation hub. Among the many events attended throughout the year, the following selection illustrates GGBa’s broad international reach and strategic focus. From pioneering technologies at XPONENTIAL in San Diego – where GGBa participated alongside the Business Location Switzerland initiative – to deep tech innovations at Hello Tomorrow and VivaTech, the team remained at the forefront of industry developments.
In life sciences, GGBa strengthened connections with key players at BIO 2024, Knowledge for Growth, and SantExpo in Paris. The organization also played a role in major networking and industry gatherings, including the 34èmes Trophées CCI France Suisse in Lausanne and EPHJ in Geneva, a leading event for watchmaking and luxury industries. Additionally, participation in it-sa, one of Europe’s top cybersecurity trade fairs, underscored GGBa’s commitment to supporting innovation in critical sectors.
These engagements highlight GGBa’s proactive approach in fostering international collaboration and opening doors for businesses looking to thrive in Western Switzerland.
Showcasing Swiss Innovation: A Landmark Collaboration
GGBa marked a significant milestone in promoting Switzerland as a global leader in innovation by hosting the Club de Paris des Directeurs de l’Innovation, in collaboration with SIP West EPFL. This prestigious gathering brought together some of the world’s foremost innovation leaders, initiating a series of days filled with technological discoveries and encounters with pioneers in the field.
The event highlighted Switzerland’s pioneering role in R&D, technology, and sustainable solutions, reinforcing the country’s position as a hub for cutting-edge innovation and collaborations. These exchanges are the first steps in deepening Western Switzerland’s influence on the global stage, as it continues to assert itself as a key player in shaping the future of sustainable innovation.
In-market delegations & market missions
GGBa spearheaded key initiatives to strengthen international partnerships and expand opportunities for innovation-driven companies. The following highlights showcase some of the key efforts undertaken throughout the year to enhance Switzerland’s global reach. The Scaling a Swiss-US Tech Unicorn event in New York, co-organized with Innovaud at the Safra National Bank, brought together the founders of Nexthink and StrongCodes while launching the new EPFL Alumni chapter in the city. A market mission to Brazil, conducted in collaboration with the Canton of Bern and SIP Biel/Bienne, explored Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory opportunities across São Paulo, Joinville, Santa Catarina, and Porto Alegre.
Further advancing Switzerland’s global footprint, GGBa supported the first collective life sciences mission, uniting the cantons of Bern, Neuchâtel, Vaud, and Valais to foster collaboration in this key sector. Engagements in Shenzhen, Beijing, and Chengdu allowed for high-level exchanges with Chinese tech leaders, culminating in GGBa’s participation in the Sino-Swiss Tech Leaders Dinner. Cybersecurity remained a strategic focus, with a delegation of Swiss startups and innovation leaders, led by Innovaud and Trust Valley, engaging in promising discussions in San Francisco and Silicon Valley during the RSA Conference.
Exploring horizons during our annual training week
GGBa Week 2024 took place from August 26 to 30 in Bern, bringing together GGBa representatives, cantonal delegates, and international partners for a week of strategic discussions and collaborative exchanges. This highly anticipated event served as a key opportunity to align on goals, share the latest developments, and shape the future of economic promotion in Western Switzerland. Through engaging workshops, insightful presentations, and dynamic networking sessions, GGBa worked towards strengthening its position as a global hub for innovation and business. The GGBa Night at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne was a highlight of the week, bringing together stakeholders from across industries to connect, discuss, and foster new partnerships, further elevating the region’s visibility on the international stage.
Global partnerships
GGBa enhanced its global outreach through strategic collaborations with key partners, raising the profile of Western Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem. JETRO, Numeum, and Institut für Jungunternehmen (IFJ) were instrumental in organizing webinars, providing valuable insights into Switzerland’s business landscape and fostering international connections. In partnership with About Switzerland, GGBa successfully promoted its infographics via consulates and embassies, showcasing the region’s key strengths to a broader global audience. Additionally, VentureLab and iGrowNews contributed with a series of articles, offering further exposure and highlighting Western Switzerland’s innovative potential. These collaborations played an important role in reinforcing the region’s position as a hub for innovation and sustainable growth.
Jimmy Jackson: Awarded communication campaign
GGBa’s innovative Jimmy Jackson campaign gained recognition for its unique approach to promoting Switzerland’s business environment. Jimmy Jackson, a fictional American entrepreneur created by GGBa, became a relatable figure who humorously showcased Switzerland’s strengths in business development and innovation.
The campaign, designed to appeal to international audiences, highlighted key sectors such as life sciences, technology, and industry. As a result, it was awarded at the Awards 2024 of the Réseau Place Économique Suisse, marking a milestone in GGBa’s efforts to combine creativity with economic promotion. This recognition reflects the success of using storytelling to enhance Switzerland’s visibility and foster connections in the global business community.
A diversified content strategy
GGBa’s content strategy reached new heights with a diverse array of engaging and informative initiatives designed to highlight the strengths of Western Switzerland. Our Agrifood in the Canton of Fribourg video series provided an in-depth look at the region’s agritech innovation, while our new LinkedIn newsletter kept our audience up to date with the latest developments.
Over the year, we posted over 300 news articles and created more than 40 videos, offering valuable insights into the region’s thriving sectors. We also launched new thematic factsheets, providing quick access to key data and trends in various industries. In addition, our Why Switzerland feature articles explored topics such as biomanufacturing in Western Switzerland, Western Switzerland for Robotics Companies, EPFL as a model of innovation and academic collaboration, and Western Switzerland’s RIS-SO network, showcasing how this vibrant region continues to drive innovation across multiple sectors.