Engagement
In 2024, Basel-Stadt continued its commitment to creating an attractive framework for economic growth and innovation. While targeted economic area developments facilitate further business openings and company relocations, Tech Park Basel and Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for technology-oriented startups and constantly boost an environment conducive to innovation.
Economic Areas and Site Development
Basel’s market for economic areas and business sites has shown signs of stabilisation and increased its dynamic in 2024. In particular, the market for office spaces has witnessed several large commercial rental projects and rotations by large enterprises. Office space has gained importance and has seen increased demand as it is considered a valuable addition to remote work. The development of transformation sites promises to further diversify the real estate supply, particularly in production areas that are currently scarce and in high demand. The Cantonal Government’s Annual Report on Economic Areas (Wirtschaftsflächenbericht des Regierungsrates) offers a detailed market development overview, written and published by the Office of Economy and Labour AWA.
The market for laboratory spaces deserves special mention. A positive trend has emerged: Real estate investors have reacted to high demand and will introduce new and diverse offerings to the market during the next years, mostly in the development sites Klybeckplus and Stücki Park. These sites will be well positioned beyond the classic office space market as attractive locations for biotech companies.
Infrastructure for Tech Startups
No innovation without infrastructure. True to that vision, the Canton of Basel-Stadt is offering technology startups the perfect working environment.
For Tech Park Basel (TPB) and its tenants, 2024 was one of business growth, community expansion and continuing innovation. Several tenants secured significant additional funding, further strengthening their active contributions to Tech Park's vitality and innovative power. A series of professional and expert events solidified its status as a nodal point of Basel's innovation network in order to intensify the exchange of information and knowledge in the tech community.
A good omen for the future: The Great Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt has secured funding for Tech Park Basel from 2024 to 2032, all but ensuring long-term support for innovative startups in the region. Accounting for company moves throughout the year, TPB achieved an average occupancy rate of 86.5% and was home to 31 companies by the end of 2024. Representing 365 employees from more than 45 nations, they reflect the true diversity and internationalism of the local business ecosystem.
More than 85 companies are operating in the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area (SIP) in Allschwil, Basel and in the Canton of Jura (the SIP enjoys support from the Canton of Basel-Stadt). Among those, 40 tech startups and their >140 employees, primarily active in the Digital Health sector and thus, without the need for lab space at the SIP, managed to find 1092 square meters of suitable office space on the Novartis Campus. Like Tech Park Basel, SIP in 2024 also reached a high occupancy rate of 83% capacity on the Novartis Campus.
«Thanks to the proper infrastructure at Tech Park Basel, we were able to establish ourselves here and grow as a company. To found a company, you first need an excellent idea and access to capital. Then you also need capable employees and a good infrastructure. The Tech Park enabled us to grow, from the idea to the IPO.»