The Zurich economic area impresses with its access to talent
Access to a large talent pool is one of the main attractions of the Zurich economic area, says Sonja Wollkopf Walt, CEO of Greater Zurich Area AG, in an interview. Thanks to their high level of innovation, many companies in the region were also able to shine in the Corona crisis.
The Greater Zurich Area offers companies access to a large pool of first-class talent. Sonja Wollkopf Walt, CEO of the location marketing organization Greater Zurich Area ( GZA ), describes this as one of the most important attractions of the location in an interview with The Place Brand Observer ( TPBO ). Switzerland is listed as the world champion for innovation in several rankings. This has also been recognized by companies such as Google, IBM, Disney or Biogen, which have set up their research locations in the greater Zurich area.
First-class technology, Swiss reliability and stability meet in the Greater Zurich Area, emphasizes Wollkopf Walt in an interview. Especially against the background of global trade conflicts or the corona pandemic, this is an important added value for companies.
Despite the negative effects of the corona pandemic as a whole, it has also brought about new developments at some companies or accelerated research activities. Wollkopf Walt highlights, for example, HeiQ . The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) is developing a technology that can protect textiles against viruses. Fabrics treated with the technology can block the corona virus by 99.9 percent.
The costs in Switzerland are higher than in many European countries. At the same time, however, it is fair to say that the price-performance ratio in the Zurich economic area is good, according to Wollkopf Walt. Workers in Switzerland have one of the highest productivity levels in the world, she adds.
When it comes to start-ups, the three most important factors that are necessary for a flourishing start-up ecosystem are present in the Greater Zurich Area: talent, capital and customers. Wollkopf Walt also points out that 2019 was a record year for start-up investments. In addition, four start-ups from the Greater Zurich Area have achieved unicorn status – that is, they are valued at more than 1 billion dollars.