SIP-TI OFFICIALLY PART OF THE SWITZERLAND INNOVATION NETWORK – SWITZERLAND INNOVATION PARK TICINO SA ESTABLISHED

Joint Press Release by the DFE and DECS – Republic and Canton of Ticino

On November 11, Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino has been officially recognized as part of the Switzerland Innovation network. Following this recognition by the Switzerland Innovation Foundation Board, the Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino SA, a non-profit organization responsible for managing the Innovation Park, was officially established today in Bellinzona.

This marks another step towards the realization of the Innovation Park, a process that began in 2021 when Ticino joined the Switzerland Innovation network as an affiliated park of Zurich. Fondazione Agire, Ticino’s innovation agency, played a central role in this process. Mandated by the Canton, it has diligently led the development of the Park and its application process. This important work has involved institutions, the economic sector, and academic research, with the goal of enhancing the region’s strengths.

The preparations for Innovation Park Ticino have enabled the launch of three potential competence centers, currently under development: the Swiss Drone Competence Center at Riviera Airport in Lodrino, the Life Sciences Competence Center in Bellinzona, and the Lifestyle Tech Competence Center in Lugano. The Park aims to build a network and create synergies at both national and international levels, collaborating with initiatives such as MIND Milano Innovation District – the innovation and scientific excellence hub established on the site of the 2015 World Expo – and other European entities.

Starting today, the management of the Park transitions from Fondazione Agire to the new organizational structure, Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino SA. This company is equally funded by the following shareholders: the Canton, BancaStato, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicraft, and Services of Canton Ticino (Cc-Ti), the Ticino Industries Association (AITI), Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The Board of Directors includes Mauro Dell’Ambrogio (representing the Canton and serving as Chairman), Gabriele Zanzi (member of BancaStato’s Executive Board), Andrea Gehri (President of Cc-Ti), Oliviero Pesenti (President of AITI), Luisa Lambertini (Rector of USI), and Emanuele Carpanzano (Director of Research, Development, and Knowledge Transfer at SUPSI). Gianmaria Frapolli has been appointed as the Director of Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino SA.

Thomas Gfeller, CEO of the Switzerland Innovation Foundation, stated: “The key topics of Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino | Site of Park Zurich add new dimensions to Switzerland Innovation and expand our national expertise in emerging fields. The strong and broad support for Innovation Park Ticino from local stakeholders underscores the region’s commitment, and this joint effort will foster significant innovation.”

The management of Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, as the entity responsible for the Ticino Park, expressed great satisfaction with the accreditation of Innovation Park Ticino, stating: “The already excellent relations with Ticino through the Greater Zurich Area and universities can now be further strengthened in the field of innovation.” Peter Bodmer, President of the Innovation Park Zurich Foundation, highlighted the significant achievements in the competence areas identified for Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino, which ideally complement Zurich’s portfolio.

As highlighted by State Councilors Vitta and Carobbio Guscetti, today’s announcements allow further progress in the realization of Innovation Park Ticino, a strategic project for the economic development of the Canton of Ticino. The initiative aims to promote research and development projects in collaboration with local universities and companies, facilitate knowledge exchange, provide fully equipped spaces for innovative activities, and, consequently, attract businesses and talent. This effort contributes to making Ticino an increasingly competitive and attractive Canton, capable of offering new high-value-added jobs.