Elevate your Scale-up Potential: Why Switzerland is the AI Launchpad for Global Scale-ups

by Switzerland Global Enterprise in collaboration with Kickstart Innovation

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries worldwide, and scale-ups are looking for the right ecosystems to accelerate their growth. Among the many global hubs, Switzerland is fast emerging as a launchpad for AI innovation, combining world-class research, deeptech expertise, and strong industry demand.

In this interview, Anna Hakobyan, AI Lead at Kickstart Innovation, shares why Switzerland is becoming a magnet for AI scale-ups, how the ecosystem compares to other European hubs, and what makes the country an ideal testbed for companies aiming to scale internationally.

Could you briefly introduce yourself and your background in AI?

Anna Hakobyan: I’m the AI Lead at Kickstart Innovation, with over 20 years of international experience in digital transformation, business development, and strategic partnerships across the US and European markets.

I began my career in large organizations such as the United Nations and IATA, before transitioning into technology about 12 years ago. At Bertelsmann, I led some of the first e-commerce implementations for brands like Nike and Levi’s. That’s where I started working closely with engineers and built a strong foundation in data engineering, machine learning, and AI. I’ve learned first-hand that every AI capability relies on solid data management and cloud infrastructure. Without those, AI simply doesn’t work. 

In my most recent role at a digital solutions provider, we recognized early the potential of generative AI. I helped shape client use cases, built dedicated teams, and applied generative AI hands-on in my daily work. Having spent much of my career in lean, matrix-style organizations, generative AI became a game-changer. It allowed me to effectively “hire” a virtual team, scaling my capacity dramatically at the cost of a subscription rather than additional headcount.

From your perspective, what makes Switzerland an attractive location for AI companies and scale-ups? How does Switzerland compare to other AI hubs such as Berlin, London, or Paris?

Switzerland offers a uniquely compelling environment for AI companies. With world-class universities like ETH Zurich and EPFL, there’s a constant flow of top engineering talent and cutting-edge research. At the same time, Switzerland hosts global leaders in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail - industries where AI adoption is a strategic priority. This means decision-makers in AI-ready sectors are right on your doorstep.

Beyond corporates, Swiss SMEs are global champions in robotics, microelectronics, and precision engineering - fields driving next-generation innovation. You see this at ETH’s Autonomous Systems Lab, which brings together robotics, computer vision, and AI. Just across town, Microsoft has launched a new AI Lab on Copilot and computer vision, led by ETH professor Marc Pollefeys. Together, they show how academic research and corporate investment feed into the same ecosystem, creating a powerful cluster effect. 

Switzerland’s small size is an advantage. It’s far easier to access senior leaders and move quickly from idea to pilot. That’s exactly what we do at Kickstart Innovation: connect startups and scale-ups with Swiss corporates so that, within months, they’re running pilots together.

It’s no coincidence that tech giants have invested heavily here. Google opened its Zurich office 23 years ago, and today it’s their largest R&D hub outside the US with over 5,000 employees. As Eric Schmidt recently said at START Global, “Turns out it was the best decision we ever made.” His point was clear: the way you win is by having the smartest people in the room, and Switzerland delivers that.

Compared to hubs like Berlin, London, or Paris, Switzerland’s strength lies in deeptech and applied AI, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as finance, pharma, and advanced manufacturing. Because the domestic market is small, Swiss AI companies think globally from day one, building solutions designed to scale internationally. When you combine that global mindset with a stable business environment, strong data privacy standards, and high quality of life, it’s clear why Switzerland is one of the best places in the world to build and grow AI businesses.

Can you share examples of the types of AI innovation happening in Switzerland today (e.g., LLMs, robotics, healthcare AI)?

One of the most exciting developments today is ALPS - Switzerland’s open, multilingual large language model, built on the Alps supercomputer. What makes it unique is that it’s designed from the ground up with privacy, data sovereignty, and compliance at its core, making it especially valuable for regulated industries like finance and healthcare.

But Switzerland’s AI leadership goes well beyond LLMs. In manufacturing, AI-powered robotics are enabling precision, highly customized production. In healthcare, initiatives such as the AI Health Hub in Geneva are improving diagnostics in areas like epilepsy and stroke. We’re also seeing autonomous drones used for infrastructure inspection, and predictive AI optimizing renewable energy plants for efficiency.

Swiss AI Weeks is another great example of how the ecosystem brings together researchers, startups, and corporates to accelerate adoption and collaboration across industries.

Switzerland’s high-wage economy has always driven a culture of automation and digital-first solutions, ensuring competitiveness despite higher costs. What truly sets the country apart, however, is the speed of innovation transfer. Breakthroughs move from the research lab into real-world pilots in just a matter of months, a pace that makes Switzerland one of the most dynamic testbeds for applied AI anywhere in the world. We are excited to see some of the companies from our portfolio play a role in this transformation. 

How supportive is the Swiss ecosystem for AI scale-ups when it comes to infrastructure, talent, and research collaborations?

I find it impressive how much Switzerland invests in supporting AI scale-ups. University-backed initiatives and industry-specific grants provide both funding and expertise for AI projects. Coming from New York - where the environment is hyper-competitive and government support is minimal - the difference is striking. Here, applied research and commercial pilots are actively backed, making it far easier for scale-ups to gain traction without giving up large equity stakes early.

There’s a broad consensus in Swiss society on the value of education and technology. You see it in the country’s consistent investment in universities and research institutes, backed by both federal and cantonal funding. That commitment drives breakthroughs in foundational technologies, which are rapidly transferred into applied research and adopted by local industry. In Switzerland, government, academia, and business align around a shared goal: advancing science and technology as a strategic priority.

What are some challenges scale-ups should be aware of when entering the Swiss market, and how can they overcome them?

Switzerland is a fantastic market for AI, but it comes with challenges. It’s small and highly competitive, which means AI companies need to define a clear, high-value niche rather than trying to serve everyone. Decision cycles - especially in large corporations - can be slow, and building trust is essential. Swiss companies put far more weight on proven track records and strong references than on hype.

Capital is another hurdle. Early-stage funding from angels is relatively accessible, but raising growth capital is much harder. That’s why many Swiss startups turn to Anglo-Saxon investors when it’s time to scale. On top of that, regulatory requirements vary significantly by sector, making it critical to engage local advisors early. And cultural nuance matters here: relationships take time, and credibility comes only from consistent delivery.

That said, Switzerland offers unique advantages. With so many international headquarters based here, companies are open to piloting AI solutions. Once proven locally, those solutions can often scale globally. We saw a similar dynamic in the early days of e-commerce, when Swiss retailers had to design platforms that worked across multiple languages and currencies from the start. The same global mindset is now shaping how AI solutions are built and deployed from Switzerland.

Where do you see Switzerland’s AI ecosystem in the next 5–10 years? What role could foreign AI scale-ups play in shaping that future?

I see Switzerland emerging as one of the global hubs for ethical, robust, and reliable AI. With its strengths in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and research, the emphasis will be on AI that is trusted, explainable, and fully compliant with strict regulations - the kind of AI you can rely on in mission-critical environments.

We’ll also see deeper integration between universities, corporates, and startups, with pilots and applied research moving from the lab to market faster than ever. Switzerland’s location at the crossroads of Europe, combined with its political stability, makes it a natural testbed for the best AI solutions worldwide.

Foreign AI scale-ups will play an important role here. They bring fresh technologies and global experience, but real success will come from co-creating with Swiss partners, not just selling into the market. That’s exactly what we facilitate at Kickstart: connecting global AI innovators with Swiss corporates to build solutions that work locally - and then scale internationally.

At the same time, digital sovereignty is becoming a critical differentiator. In today’s geopolitical landscape, countries cannot afford to depend blindly on technology providers that ultimately answer to foreign governments. Switzerland is already advancing data legislation to strengthen sovereignty, privacy, and security - foundations that will give it a defining edge in the years ahead.

For scale-ups interested in learning more, what would be a good first step?

The first step is to spend real time in the ecosystem - not just reading about it, but actually meeting people. Attend flagship events like Swiss AI Week, the Zurich Hackathon, or Startup Nights in Winterthur, where corporates, investors, and researchers all come together. These gatherings give you a genuine feel for the market, its players, and the opportunities.

The second step is to explore Switzerland’s regional strengths, because the ecosystem is highly distributed. Basel is home to pharma giants and growing supercomputing capabilities. The Arc Lémanique around EPFL - also known as Trust Valley - focuses on cybersecurity and digital trust. Geneva is strong in biotech and global health, Neuchâtel specializes in microelectronics and precision engineering, while Zurich and Zug bring together finance, deeptech, and global tech players. Each cluster provides a different entry point into applied AI.

Finally, it’s important to work with ecosystem partners who can accelerate your entry. At Kickstart, for example, we help startups and scale-ups navigate the landscape, make the right introductions, and set up proof-of-concept projects with Swiss corporates. That way, you’re not just networking—you’re building relationships and credibility from day one. 

Are you ready to internationalize your business? 

This interview was produced in collaboration with Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), a partner of Kickstart Innovation and the official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion. SGE’s team in Switzerland and their Swiss Business Hubs around the world will help you with your location analysis, organize site visits and provide you with contacts and introductions that kick-off and accelerate your growth in Switzerland. Their service is free of charge. Contact them at invest@s-ge.com.  

Discover how Switzerland is shaping the future of digital worlds: From AI and quantum computing to AR/VR and computer vision, global leaders like IBM, Meta, Microsoft, and Google drive its thriving innovation hub. Download the Future of Digital Worlds Dossier to explore how Switzerland empowers tech-driven growth.