Innovation Promotion Programmes
Three central innovation fields, “Innovation in Life Sciences," “Digital Innovation," and "Sustainable Economy," continue to be sustainably bolstered by existing and new programmes of the Canton of Basel-Stadt to efficiently support Basel-based companies and further move the innovation hub Basel towards a successful future.
“Sustainable Economy”
A thriving economy aligned with the demands of sustainability and decoupling from steadily increasing resource consumption is one of the most important challenges of the decades ahead. As the electorate of the Canton of Basel-Stadt has endorsed the ambitious vision of "Net Zero by 2037", it is a crucial mandate for innovation promoters to explore and utilise the potential for added value and job creation offered by an ongoing dynamic transformation of the economy.
The innovation field “Sustainable Economy” currently comprises two programmes designed to support companies embracing the transformation:
BaselCircular aims to build an innovation ecosystem in the circular economy field and promote innovative business ideas and enterprises committed to the circular economy. In a public-private partnership, the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the Eckenstein-Geigy Foundation launched this joint programme in August 2024.
Through the new Basel2037 programme, the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the Trade Association (Gewerbeverband) Basel-Stadt have joined forces to support and foster innovative projects of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) geared towards decarbonisation and Net-Zero status by 2037. Basel2037 helps sensitise and offers valuable guidance to SMEs to reach this goal. The two partners are founding a respective association in 2025.
“Innovation in Life Sciences”
Basel continues to build on its European leadership role as an innovation hub in Life Sciences and Health. A strong number of company formations and healthy capital inflow marked the year 2024. This dynamic development strengthens the region's international reputation once more as a global hotspot for biotechnology and health technology.
BaseLaunch is a vital catalyst for biotech innovations. In 2024, the programme supported numerous startups, raising more than 800 million dollars in venture capital. With its strong network of partners, mentors, and investors, BaseLaunch offers an ideal framework for early-stage startups.
DayOne is an innovation accelerator in digital health. Through three accelerator programmes, DayOne has accompanied and steered 25 projects, closely linking 20 international startups with the regional health ecosystem. The programme aims to boost the development of ready-to-market technologies and is, hence, an important contributor to the region's economic vibrancy.
Another strategic milestone of 2024 was the kick-off of the FoodHealth programme. Basel Business & Innovation, the Innovation Office of the University of Basel, and the Hightech Zentrum Aargau will jointly run and implement the programme.
FoodHealth establishes Northwestern Switzerland as a leading region for sustainable high-tech innovation along the entire value-added chain — from the next generation of agriculture technology to healthy nutrition. The programme weaves a tight network of startups, SMEs, scientific research, and industry, with the aim of developing and successfully realising ready-to-market solutions for a healthy and sustainable future.
“Digital Innovation”
Digitalisation has affected all areas of the economy and daily lives, and Basel companies are driving this development forward across all sectors. The regional ICT ecosystem is gaining visibility thanks to the BaselTech platform. The team continuously develops BaselTech and presents the activities and key players in the digital and ICT sectors in an engaging way.
BaselTech plays a pivotal role in developing and establishing Basel-Stadt as a prime location for innovation, research, and development in the digital age. The activities in 2024 highlight BaselTech’s commitment and ability to unite and inspire the tech community, further advancing the digital transformation. In close collaboration with academia and the business sector, additional digital and physical elements will be created in 2025 to strengthen and promote the region’s great potential.
Rental Relief Programme and Congress Promotion
In addition to defining and recommending traditional innovation promotion programmes, the report “Strengthening Innovation Promotion 2024 to 2031” also features two general programmes:
Since 2024, the “Rental Relief Programme” for technology startups with specific rental requirements ("Mietzinserleichterungen” (MZE)) also extends to the innovation fields “Digital Innovation” and “Sustainable Economy”. Its new and enhanced mission offers tech startups rental relief of up to 50% of the total cost of rent to a maximum of 30’000 Swiss francs per company and year. Through the instrument of rental relief, the Cantonal Government intends to facilitate the founding, settlement and durable establishment of innovative startups in the strategic focal areas of the economy of the Canton of Basel-Stadt. The MZE programme thus contributes considerably to strengthening the regional innovation system and spurring job creation.
Since as early as 2014, the Congress Promotion programme of the Canton of Basel-Stadt has targeted the acquisition and realisation of congresses in Basel. In 2024, the Cantonal Government realigned this promotional programme and extended its runtime to 2031. Currently, support is not exclusively dedicated to events in Life Sciences, the Canton also supports functions in the fields of "Digital Innovation" and "Sustainable Economy". Initial targeted acquisition and networking activities are already underway in these two areas. In 2024, the number of attendees at supported conferences rose by 54%. The private sector benefited in particular: for example, overnight stays in the Canton of Basel-Stadt reached an all-time high of 1.55 million in 2024.