Swissnex in China Anniversary: 15 Years of Building Bridges and Igniting Ideas

It has been 15 years since Swissnex in China started connecting Switzerland and China in education, research and innovation, fostering collaboration and partnerships across borders and disciplines. To mark the occasion we would like to share 15 moments from our recent history that have enriched our journey.

15 years with startups

China’s startup ecosystem offers plenty of interesting opportunities. Our programs ensure that Swiss startups can grow their businesses and make meaningful connections.

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    #platform 创新平台

    At CES Asia 2019, we helped bring the swisstech Pavilion, the largest country pavilion to the event, putting Switzerland under the spotlight. It featured 22 Swiss startups at the most prominent tech expo in Asia, comprising three days of pitching, networking, and showcasing cutting-edge innovations by startups.

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    #entrepreneurship 企业家精神

    PB&B, a Swiss Medtech spin-off of EPFL, participated in our Innosuisse China Camp 2021. During their market exploration, the startup entrepreneur was invited to present at the Shanghai Stock Exchange Science and Technology Innovation Board and connected with local potential partners with tailor-made support from us.

  • #community 初创企业社群

    In November 2019, the first Venture Leaders Fintech arrived in China, hosting pitching events on the iconic red-sail Aqua Luna at Victoria Harbour. Led by Swissnex in China and Venturelab, the 6-day roadshow connected Swiss Fintech startups with Asian fintech markets through mentoring workshops, investor meetings, and visits to local financial ecosystems.

15 years with Corporates

We helped Swiss corporates dive into the China innovation ecosystem and find collaborations, projects & fresh ideas.

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    #cross-industry 跨行业交流

    As energy has become a topic with high collaboration potential in China, we organized the first Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum in 2021, tapping into the latest trends and best practices in the field. The forum gathered over 300 Swiss and Chinese experts, establishing cross-industry connections and discussions between industry players, emerging startups, and academia.

  • #innovation 创新趋势侦查

    In May 2019, we organized a study tour for Ypsomed AG, which included visits to leading Chinese companies, supportive platforms, and industrial parks. With our network spanning innovation hubs in China, the tour provided Ypsomed AG with in-person exchanges with potential partners, suppliers, and customers, offering the company an overview of the business ecosystem.

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    #dialogue 高层对话

    In April 2019, a 5-day study trip was curated for an executive delegation from TX Group AG ("Tamedia") to help them better understand the Chinese new media trends. We visited various video/audio platforms, media companies, and also the College of Arts and Media of Tongji University to exchange ideas with academic actors.

15 years with Academia

For 15 years, we played an active role in connecting Swiss universities, researchers and academics, fostering the exchange of knowledge, talent, and ideas.

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    #community 瑞士校友社群

    Our annual Swiss Alumni China event provides a quality setting for Swiss Public University alumni to reconnect with their alma mater while strengthening their network. At our 2023 alumni gathering, 9 Swiss public university chapters presented the latest updates, and the participating alumni enjoyed a night of networking and reminiscing about their time in Switzerland.

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    #dialogue 学术研讨

    Researchers and academics make up an important part of our network. In May 2023, Frontiers, the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Swissnex in China brought together Sino-Swiss research practitioners and enablers. The participants discussed how to promote, safeguard, and strengthen research integrity in response to new challenges posed by AI. A conclusive whitepaper was released as an outcome of this workshop.

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    #VPET 职业教育

    In November 2022, we contributed to the Education Day during the So Swiss Pop-up Week led by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai, sharing ideas of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) with local school principals, educational experts, and government representatives.

15 years with Interdisciplinary Projects

Let us revisit another moment from our journey as we delve into the realm where the arts meet education, research, and technology. Check out the behind-the-scenes stories of our collaborations, exhibitions, and the magic that happens when creativity and science intertwine.

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    #cross-discipline 跨领域研究

    At Swissnex in China, we are passionate about interdisciplinary projects. In May 2019, we were pleased to present VR_I, a contemporary dance piece in immersive virtual reality at Chronus Art Center in Shanghai. Alongside the artistic piece, we also kindled Sino-Swiss discussions on the future of virtual reality and contemporary dance, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

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    #community 多元化社群

    Our Art x Science Dialogues series was conceived with the aim of fostering the international exchange of cross-disciplinary initiatives and trends. To kick off our 2023 series, we shed light on the intelligence found within the plant kingdom, inviting art curators and researchers to join our global community of artists, scientists, and innovators to facilitate discussions and inspire new perspectives.

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    #dialogue 艺术与科学对谈

    We help Swiss arts professionals and institutions expand their reach and foster cultural exchanges with local networks. On the occasion of the 5th Global Science Film Festival this year, we organized a China Screening followed by dialogues with the expert panel in Switzerland, providing a platform for filmmakers and scientists to tell the production stories behind the camera and messages they try to convey.

15 years with People at our heart

From startups, corporates, artists, scientists, to researchers and professors, we continue to celebrate our collaborations with the incredible people and institutions that propel us forward. People lie at the heart of Swissnex, and we would like to put a spotlight on our dynamic Swissnex in China community.

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    #community 共筑伙伴社群

    Our new fellow Iris Long went on a research trip this summer to delve into the Swiss art and science scene. She was inspired by visits to institutions such as PSI and CERN. She also met talented cultural practitioners to drive forward a future project with Swissnex.

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    #talent 青年人才培养

    We value the connection with our alumni and wish to inspire their journeys through the Swissnex experience. For the past 15 years, we have served as a springboard for over 150 junior project managers, helping them understand Sino-Swiss collaborations on different aspects and providing growth opportunities as well as learning experiences.

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    #team 多元化团队

    Based in Shanghai, the Swissnex in China team is a dynamic and dedicated group of professionals passionate about fostering collaborations and innovations between Switzerland and China. We are delighted to serve as a bridge, connecting the Swiss and Chinese communities, facilitating meaningful partnerships, and creating opportunities for knowledge exchange.

15th Anniversary Reception

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It was a joy to bring our key partners in China all into one room and witness how new connections were forged, old connections rekindled, and some unexpected connections sparked. All this, against the dazzling backdrop of the famous Shanghai Skyline. Thank you to all our friends and partners who have been part of this 15-year journey! We look forward to continuing our work and curating more connections in Sino-Swiss education, research, and innovation!