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Swissnex

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Swissnex is a network of science and technology outposts aimed at connecting Switzerland with the world's innovative hubs. The network is managed by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). There are currently six Swissnex branches: Boston (2000), San Francisco (2003), Singapore (2004-2015, ceased operations), Shanghai, China (2007), Bangalore, India (2011) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2013).

Since 2003, the network has relied on public and private funding (one third from the SERI and two thirds from other sources). Each Swissnex branch offers a variety of services to Swiss companies, academics, policy-makers, and others.[1]

The SERI also maintains and develops a worldwide network of science and technology counsellors sharing the Swissnex mission. For the moment, twelve science and technology counsellors work at selected Swiss embassies.

Recognised among politicians and administrators, the network is very present on the front of innovation and technology cooperation. Its implication for the Swiss economy and research are however so far unclear compared to the costs of such a network. The choice for the locations of Swissnex outposts is questionable: Europe seems to be forgotten.[2]

Swissnex Boston

Swissnex Boston, the network's first location, opened in 2000 to pioneer “science diplomacy" in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Situated strategically between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Swissnex Boston works closely with higher education institutions in both Switzerland and the Greater Boston Area. The region, due to its highly dynamic startup ecosystem and leading role in biotech and biomedical research, is also fertile ground for Swissnex Boston's startup programs.

In 2013, Swissnex Boston opened the New York Outpost in Manhattan. Since 2016, the office is actively involved in the planning of Swissnex mobile, as part of the Swiss Pavilion at the Expo 2017 in Kazakhstan.

Swissnex India

Swissnex India, Consulate General of Switzerland is located in India's startup capital and education hub: Bangalore, close to the central business district. Services offered by Swissnex India include CTI India market entry camp covering fact finding (digital assistance) for startups, market validation (field immersion for 1-3 weeks) and market entry (1-3 months), focus group discussions for Swiss researchers, professors and startups, startup coaching, public events, university affairs, alumni networking, workspace, and more. Public events organized by Swissnex India cover topics such as applied research, robotics, innovative design, augmented reality, sustainable architecture, etc.

Swissnex San Francisco

Swissnex San Francisco is located at pier 17. Services offered by Swissnex San Francisco include public events, study tours, startup coaching, innovation consulting, press outreach, social media training, university affairs, alumni networking, workspace, and more. Swissnex San Francisco hosts the three-month CTI Start-up US Market Entry CAMP for Swiss startups, and worked on a two-year social media program for all Swiss institutions of higher education, now called the Digital Campus. Public events organized by Swissnex San Francisco cover topics from augmented reality to astronomy to innovative design. It also maintains a blog called nextrends that reports news and insights from the American West in the fields of science, education, innovation.

Swissnex Singapore

Swissnex Singapore ceased its operations by the end of September 2015.[3][4] The remaining two staff members from SERI have been transferred to the "Science and Technology Office" at the local FDFA office, the Embassy of Switzerland, Singapore.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ Schlegel, Flavia (2014-03-24). "Swiss Science Diplomacy". Science & Diplomacy. 3 (1).
  2. ^ Jahresbericht 2006 über die Schweizer Häuser für wissenschaftlichen und technologischen Austausch
  3. ^ "Swissnex Singapore Homepage". Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  4. ^ "FDFA Singapore". Retrieved 2 November 2015.
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