Canton of Zurich initiates pilot project for innovation potential of SMEs
As part of a pilot project, the Canton of Zurich wants to help small and medium-sized companies to innovate and thus increase their competitiveness. Large companies and start-ups show the greatest will to progress, while it is declining in companies with fewer than 100 employees.
In a press release , the canton of Zurich announced the pilot program for SMEs and innovation to strengthen innovative strength in SMEs. It was developed over a three-year period by the cantonal location promotion department on behalf of Economics Director Carmen Walker Späh and in conjunction with the Canton of Zurich Location Promotion Network and the Zürcher Kantonalbank , the Zurich Chamber of Commerce ( ZHK ) and the Canton of Zurich SME and Trade Association ( KGV ) . The location support program provides for SMEs to receive guidance and support from specialists, especially from the private sector, and from innovation specialists in the early stages of planned innovations, so that they can apply for national funding.
The innovative strength in companies with fewer than 100 employees harbors potential for improvement and is showing a downward trend compared to large companies and start-ups that are showing innovative activities. A lack of access to knowledge and low resources for the implementation of planned projects are given as reasons for the backlog. Many SMEs are also reluctant to join forces with other companies and universities. According to a study by the economics department in the Office for Economics and Labor in the Economics Directorate, there is also room for improvement in “networking and collaboration between SMEs”. The Corona crisis has additionally weakened the innovative power.
Economics director Carmen Walker Späh wants to ensure that SMEs make a step forward in their innovation activities and thus ensure the diversity of industries “especially in times of crisis”. “Switzerland is an SME country. It is all the more important that our SMEs continue to provide jobs and training positions,” she is quoted as saying in the media release. heg