Top Stories from Western Switzerland (December 2025)

The Lord of The Rings, Nature and Switzerland’s Hidden History (A Conversation with John Howe)

A special Christmas edition of Getting Serious recorded in Neuchâtel explores the creative journey of John Howe and Switzerland’s unexpected influence on Tolkien’s world, cinema and fantasy art.

Spacetek secures CHF 9.6 million to accelerate its global expansion

Bern-based deeptech company Spacetek Technology AG raised CHF 9.6 million to scale its space-inspired time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace applications.

Fribourg: where discreet excellence powers high-value industries

An in-depth look at the canton of Fribourg’s economic model highlights how precision manufacturing, innovation infrastructure and skilled talent support high-value global industries, from luxury goods to life sciences.

Vaud launches new Talent Hub to strengthen its workforce attraction and retention

The canton of Vaud unveiled Vaud Talent Hub, a new platform designed to attract, integrate and retain skilled professionals as labor shortages intensify across Switzerland.

Takeda inaugurates CHF 200 million biotechnology facility in Neuchâtel

Takeda opened a new state-of-the-art biotechnology facility in Neuchâtel following a CHF 200 million investment, reinforcing the region’s role in global biomanufacturing for rare disease therapies.

Geneva inaugurates its first AI health hub at Campus Biotech

Geneva inaugurated its first AI health hub at Campus Biotech, bringing together clinicians, researchers and AI specialists to accelerate innovation in neurotechnology, mental health and patient care.

Switzerland ranks 2nd in the 2025 Global Talent Competitiveness Index

Switzerland secured second place in INSEAD’s 2025 Global Talent Competitiveness Index, reaffirming its long-standing strengths in education, innovation and talent retention.

Why Switzerland: Understanding the foundations of Swiss competitiveness

A comprehensive feature explores how governance, education, innovation, infrastructure and long-term strategy have shaped Switzerland into one of the world’s most resilient and competitive economies.