Highlights
The Basel Incentive Programme is the answer of the Canton of Basel-Stadt to the new challenges brought on by increased international competition while accelerating the momentum of its effort to further raise the economic region's attractiveness. The launch of BaselCircular aims to advance business models in the circular economy; at the same time, Tech Park Basel is focused on further growth in the startup sector.
Basel Incentive Programme
To sustainably ensure the long-term attractiveness of Basel-Stadt as a business location that remains competitive nationally and internationally, the Cantonal Government and the Great Council have devised the Basel Incentive Programme, a combination of targeted economic development and fiscal measures. Economic promotion is focused on the three core areas of innovation, social impact and the environment. The Cantonal Government intends to transfer between 150 and 500 million Swiss francs each year into two separate funds. The government will allocate 80% to promote research and development and invest 20% in social and environmental causes, for instance, parental leave and climate protection.
To facilitate the implementation of the measures in economic promotion and development, as well as tax measures, the Cantonal Government requested a partial revision of economic development and tax laws from the Parliament. The Parliament approved the partial revision by a large majority in early February 2025 (for further details, please see the Report of the Commission for the Economy and Taxes (Wirtschafts- und Abgabekommission (WAK). Following the formation of a democratic referendum, the people of the Canton of Basel-Stadt cast their vote in a plebiscite about the Revised Law on Economic Development on 18th May 2025 in favour of the proposed revision. The law allowing for new possibilities in economic development and promotion may thus take effect.
Joint Development of the Circular Economy: Launch of BaselCircular
The Canton of Basel Stadt and the Eckenstein-Geigy Foundation have joined forces in a public-private partnership and launched a joint innovation promotion programme: BaselCircular. This programme aims to develop and implement new business models in the circular economy. BaselCircular actively attends to the needs of SMEs and startups in transitioning from linear to circular business models, allowing companies to switch faster and more safely to sustainable best practices.
Four strategic areas of activity are pivotal for Basel Circular’s success: basic principles, ecosystem development, startup development, and innovation within established businesses.
Together, the canton and the foundation are to invest eight million Swiss francs over the next four years and are committed to actively co-curating circular change. Through dedicated promotion and strategic development, digital platforms, and a fertile exchange with constituents in research, the economy and society, the public-private partnership will shape an economic area with national impact and a sustainable future.
Tech Park Basel – Innovation Engine of the Region
During a recent “Tech Park Basel Insight Talk", Tech Park Basel published the results of an impact study by BAK Economics that demonstrates Tech Park's contributions to the Basel region's innovation, employment, and value creation.
Since its founding in 2011, Tech Park Basel has supported 68 startups that have created 620 jobs on-site. Former Tech Park companies have added 466 additional jobs all over the region. Particularly impressive: Innovative startups have received 3,1 billion Swiss francs in private capital investments – a strong statement confirming the companies' attractiveness and the sustainable success of Tech Park. 94% of startups survive while located in Tech Park and 92% after moving on to new premises.
Tech Park Basel is a core instrument of cantonal innovation promotion. To this end, from 2011 to 2023, the canton provided 22,8 million Swiss francs, of which 73% have actually been used.
At the same time, Tech Park Basel generated rental income at a similar level. 77% of all expenditures went to companies in the Canton of Basel-Stadt, and 85% remained in the Basel region.
The bottom line of the current BAK Economics impact study is that Tech Park Basel is an innovation hub with international impact, a strong facilitator of the local economy, and a regional network of SMEs.
For more about the impact study, please visit techparkbasel.ch/media