The silent ascent south of the Gotthard

Sixth place among 241 European regions in the innovation ranking, 60 million francs in funding by 2027 and a blockchain ecosystem that attracts international corporations. Ticino is building a new self-image as a business location. The real estate industry is observing this change with growing interest. If you want to invest today, you need to understand what is happening behind the scenes.

The EU’s Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2025 confirms Ticino’s “Innovation Leader” status. Only Zurich performs better in Switzerland. There are measurable drivers behind the ranking. The USI and SUPSI universities form the academic backbone, complemented by institutes such as the IDSIA for artificial intelligence and the national supercomputing center. At the same time, SMEs in the canton invest above average in research and development.

Three competence centers, one park
The Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino pools forces at three locations. The Swiss Drone Base Camp at Riviera Airport tests drone technology in real airspace. In Lugano, the Lifestyle Tech Competence Center is driving forward the digitalization of fashion, food and wellness. In Bellinzona, the Life Sciences Competence Center conducts research into biomedicine and oncology. From 2032, the park will move to the Nuovo Quartiere Officine, a 120,000 square meter urban development area in the heart of the cantonal capital.

Lugano relies on digital infrastructure
The city of Lugano has gone its own way in the area of crypto. Over 400 businesses already accept digital means of payment, and more than 100 fintech and blockchain companies have set up shop. Phase II was launched in March 2026 in collaboration with the company Tether. Five million Swiss francs will flow into digital resilience, AI ecosystems and decentralized urban infrastructure by 2030. Lugano is thus positioning itself as Switzerland’s third-largest financial center with technological ambitions.

cHF 60 million and a clear signal
The Grand Council sent a clear signal at the end of 2023. A credit line of CHF 60 million will secure the promotion of innovation, research cooperation and regional economic policy until 2027. CHF 25 million will flow directly into innovation and research synergies. Fondazione Agire, the canton’s innovation agency for over 10 years, supports 20 startup ideas every year via its Boldbrain accelerator and coaches SMEs on digitalization.

What the real estate sector needs to learn from this
Location promotion only develops its full value when it grows beyond strategy papers. Ticino is faced with the task of developing land availability, process reliability and urban quality at the same pace as its innovation projects. For investors, this means a region on the move with high potential and a simultaneous need for patience. Anyone who has the south of Switzerland on their radar today will find a location that wants to deliver and has the means to do so.

Sources: Canton of Ticino, Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino / USI • Photo: Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino