UBS and Swisscom establish the Deep Tech Nation Foundation to boost innovation in Switzerland

UBS and Swisscom have launched the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation, which aims to mobilize CHF 50 billion over the next decade to support Swiss deep tech start-ups and scale-ups.

UBS and Swisscom have announced the launch of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation, a strategic initiative to maintain Switzerland’s leading role in cutting-edge technologies. The Foundation aims to improve the environment for Swiss start-ups, scale-ups and investors in the deep tech sector, with the goal of raising CHF 50 billion over the next 10 years. This ambitious effort is designed to significantly increase the flow of venture capital into the Swiss deep tech market, thereby strengthening Switzerland’s innovative capacity and long-term competitiveness.

Switzerland is renowned for its innovation, supported by a unique education system and excellent research facilities that develop technological solutions to today’s challenges. However, there is a significant gap in venture capital to commercialize these innovations, particularly in the research-intensive deeptech sector. Currently, less than CHF 3 billion per year is invested in Swiss start-ups and scale-ups, while countries such as Sweden and Israel invest significantly more – CHF 5 billion and over CHF 10 billion per year, respectively.

The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation aims to close this gap by advocating for improved framework conditions and increased funding for the growth of start-ups and scale-ups. The foundation’s goals include positioning Switzerland as a leading nation for deep tech innovations that contribute to social issues such as nutrition, climate protection, energy supply, health and education.

Sabine Keller-Busse, President of UBS Switzerland, said: “UBS has a long tradition of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Switzerland. With the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation, we want to improve framework conditions for the launch of visionary technology aimed at overcoming societal challenges.”

Christoph Aeschlimann, CEO of Swisscom, added: “Innovative technologies and entrepreneurship strengthen Switzerland’s competitiveness. The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation is needed to turn ingenious ideas into successful solutions by attracting more venture capital.”

The Foundation has proposed four measures to bring about sustainable change in the relevant framework conditions. These include the creation of a Venture Hub Switzerland with competitive financial and legal structures, the establishment of a Unicorn Factory to support high-potential start-ups and scale-ups, the development of an information platform on the Swiss innovation ecosystem, and the international promotion of Switzerland as a leading deeptech nation.

Other partners of the Foundation include Stadler Rail, SIX, Vaudoise Assurances, Rolex, Swiss Re, SICPA and the University of Zurich, with plans to add more partners by the end of 2024.