Swiss Technology Award opens application phase

Every year, Swiss Technology Award is bestowed onto the best innovations in Switzerland as a means to support and promote the culture of innovation. Last year, the pharma startup Topadur developing innovative medicines treatments for wounds won the category award Startup.

This year, the organising team is again looking for break-through technologies developed or based in Switzerland. Candidates will be awarded in three different categories:

Inventors – designed for innovators that have made a breakthrough in their research or development projects. Eligible to apply are industry-focused and/or university-based technology projects which high chances of success in the market.

Startups – For startups that have already been established and have a defined and working prototypes. Eligible to participate are business and industry start-ups that have already made their initial sales and funding rounds.     

Innovation Leaders – designed for established companies which possesses a successful product portfolio. The candidate’s R&D activities should have resulted in a new, convincing projects that will bring clear benefits to environmental, economic and/or social sustainability.

Applicants will be assessed and evaluated based on the criteria: (1) innovativeness, applicants whose innovations or ideas have technological and economic application and potential in the marketplace. (2) Impact, the innovation makes an important contribution to meeting industrial and social needs.(3) The innovation must be based in Switzerland.

Following the selection phase the jury will identify the finalists who will be invited to present at the Swiss Innovation Forum before the jury and the audience comprising of over of more than 1000 decision-makers from business, politics, science and the media. The winners will be announced and awarded accordingly.

Eligible to participate are innovative entrepreneurs with innovative projects from research institutions, business and industry start-ups, university and college projects, established companies with innovative and technology-based developments.

Together with the trophy, the three winners will get access to the SEF4KMU growth initiative, market support, and gain visibility.

Registration closes on 25th August 2017. More information on the website.

(RAN)