Opening of the Innovaare innovation park
The Innovaare Innovation Park, directly adjacent to the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, was officially opened after four years of construction. With an area of 23,000 m², which includes clean rooms, laboratories, precision workshops, offices and conference rooms, this park marks a decisive step in the promotion of Switzerland's research and development landscape.
The Innovaare Park, the largest innovation hub of its kind, was officially opened on 25 April 2024. Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and other prominent figures from politics, business and research, including Dieter Egli, Vice President of the Aargau cantonal government, and PSI Director Prof Dr Christian Rüegg, attended the ceremony. The park, which is already 80 per cent let, serves as a strategic hub and is the largest tenant of the neighbouring Paul Scherrer Institute.
Dr Christian Brönnimann, CEO of Park Innovaare, emphasised the importance of this facility: “The official opening of Park Innovaare is the result of a collaborative effort by many stakeholders, including shareholders, the canton, the federal government, investors and PSI. This collaboration has created a pioneering meeting place for industry and cutting-edge research.”
Thanks to its direct neighbourhood to the PSI and the use of its research infrastructure, the Innovaare Park offers ideal conditions for technology transfer from science to industry. It focuses on key technologies in the fields of photonics and quantum technologies, life sciences, advanced manufacturing technologies, energy and sustainability.
Andreas Rickenbacher, President of Switzerland Innovation, explains the overarching vision: “Switzerland is recognised worldwide for its innovative strength. Park Innovaare plays a central role in optimally networking our academic institutions with the economy and thus translating research results into marketable products and services.”
Park Innovaare has already met with a high level of acceptance: “We have attracted 21 companies so far, including 15 spin-offs from PSI, ETH or FHNW, two technology transfer centres and several large international companies”, says Robert Rudolph, CEO of Park Innovaare. With a current occupancy rate of around 80 per cent, the park is already showing its best side shortly after opening and is optimistic about the future.