by Switzerland Global Enterprise
As part of the Elevate Your Scale-Up’s Growth Potential Series by Switzerland Global Enterprise, this article highlights why Switzerland is the perfect destination for FoodTech companies and innovators aiming to scale their businesses. From business-friendly regulations to a highly skilled workforce and access to top industry partnerships, the series explores the key factors that position Switzerland as a global leader in food innovation.
Switzerland is home to a dynamic and innovative food ecosystem. If you’re in the food industry, here are four reasons you should be paying close attention to what’s cooking in Switzerland.
Swiss Regulations: Business-friendly and Transparent
Switzerland’s unique position outside the EU grants it operational flexibility, fostering a business-friendly environment with transparent regulations that encourage innovation and industry engagement. Its competitive and low corporate tax rates, combined with a flexible tax system, offer significant advantages for businesses, making the country an attractive destination for multinational corporations and scale-ups. The "Swiss made" label, synonymous with high quality, trust, and precision, further enhances the appeal of products. A “Swiss” branding can add substantial value, contributing up to 20% of the sales price for various goods and as much as 50% for luxury items compared to similar products from other origins.
Highly Skilled Talent
Leading academic institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne, along with applied sciences universities like HES-SO, the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL), and ZHAW, as well as institutes like the Grangeneuve Agricultural Institute, are at the forefront of research in food technology and biotechnology. These programs produce a continuous stream of highly trained professionals, ready to drive innovation.
This strong foundation in academic excellence and research ensures Switzerland remains a global leader in innovation. The expertise cultivated at these institutions not only supports advancements in food technology but also attracts top international talent and fosters a thriving environment for innovation, as reflected in Switzerland's top rankings worldwide. Switzerland ranks 1st globally for attracting and retaining international talent, as highlighted by the 2023 IMD World Talent Ranking. It also leads the world in innovation, topping both the 2023 WIPO Global Innovation Index and the 2024 EPO report for the highest number of patent registrations per million inhabitants.
Switzerland's leadership in talent development is no coincidence: for the tenth consecutive year, the country has been ranked #1 in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 for its ability to develop, attract, and retain talent. This is reflected in Switzerland's vibrant startup ecosystem, with over 300 FoodTech startups pioneering a wide range of solutions, from algae and insects to plant-based meat alternatives and dairy-like cream through fermentation.
Ideal testing ground and location
Switzerland offers a blend of German, French, and Italian influences, creating a diverse cultural landscape that serves as an ideal testing ground for marketing campaigns, new food products, and technologies. With its high disposable incomes and one of the highest standards of living and GDP per capita in the world, Switzerland provides the perfect environment to introduce premium or innovative food products to discerning consumers who are willing to pay for quality.
Switzerland's strategic location, bordering Germany, France, and Italy, positions it as an excellent entry point for scaling new products and expanding into the broader European market.
Innovation: Access to Expertise and Partnerships
For FoodTech businesses considering setting up in Switzerland, the presence of major food and nutrition conglomerates such as Coop, Nestlé, Bühler, Givaudan, dsm-firmenich, and Syngenta, along with international companies like ADM, Mondelez Europe, Tetra Pak, and Chiquita, offers a significant advantage. Establishing a presence in Switzerland allows new businesses to tap into this thriving ecosystem of industry leaders, facilitating access to expertise, supply chains, and potential partnerships. Switzerland's network of established companies also creates opportunities for collaboration on innovative projects, pilot programs, and joint ventures.
An example of this is the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, a nation-wide, not-for-profit association that brings together 150 actors across the Swiss food innovation ecosystem to pioneer future-proof food systems. Its diverse community includes multinational food companies, universities, local government, retailers, accelerators, SMEs, and more than 100 startups.
Kickstart Innovation is another key player in the ecosystem, actively contributing through its Food & Retail vertical. By connecting startups with industry leaders, corporations, and experts, and having a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, it provides scale-ups with the support they need to thrive in Switzerland’s dynamic food industry, offering opportunities for mentorship, strategic partnerships, and access to funding.
The United Nations has established Geneva as a global hub for NGOs focused on food security, agriculture, and nutrition, providing valuable access to decision-makers for pilot projects and business partnerships.
Benefiting from this supportive environment, Swiss-based companies like Planted Food, NewRoots, Planetary, and Primal Bee are pioneering sustainable solutions in their respective fields, contributing to global efforts in nutrition, biodiversity, and sustainability. Planted Foods is leading the way in sustainable food innovation, creating plant-based meat alternatives from natural, high-quality ingredients. Using cutting-edge technology and clean, simple processes, they craft delicious, protein-rich products that offer a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat. Similarly, NewRoots is at the forefront of sustainable food innovation, producing plant-based cheese alternatives from organic cashew milk using traditional cheese-making techniques. Planetary, instead, is advancing sustainability by developing biomanufacturing facilities that enable bio-based production at an industrial scale, while Primal Bee has revolutionized the beekeeping industry with its patented beehive, setting a new standard for enhancing biodiversity and promoting the sustainability of food chains.
Nestlé’s R&D Accelerator, a 4,000-square-meter facility, offers co-working stations, analytical labs, prototyping kitchens, and mini-production facilities, providing a unique platform to rapidly bring innovations to market. Innovation campuses like Agropôle and AgriCo are dedicated to agricultural and food innovation, offering offices, co-working spaces, and land for field trials. The AgriCo campus alone is receiving nearly 500 million Swiss francs in investment for its development, which includes 100 hectares of agricultural land for large-scale trials.
Switzerland's dynamic food ecosystem offers a unique environment for innovation, talent, and business growth. With its business-friendly regulations, highly skilled workforce, ideal testing ground and market access, and access to industry leaders, Switzerland stands out as a destination for FoodTech companies looking to elevate their business and make a lasting impact on the global market.
Ready to internationalize your business?
Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) is a partner of Kickstart Innovation and the official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion. Our team in Switzerland and our 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. Our service is free of charge.
Contact us at invest@s-ge.com.
To learn more about Switzerland's dynamic food ecosystem, download our comprehensive Future of Food Dossier.
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If you are a startup active in food and retail and circular economy or interested in collaboration with corporates such as Coop, you can learn more about our program and pre-register.
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