Projects and programmes 2021
The Economic Development Unit has launched, maintained and supported various projects and programmes to support Basel companies and promote Basel as a location for innovation. We need to determine which measures were in focus in 2021, how individual programmes have developed, and which new projects have been launched.
Logistics cluster, Basel region – new period 2021-2023
In 2021, the public-private partnership "Logistics Cluster Basel Region" entered a new period. It will run until 2023 with an adapted strategy.
The focus of the 2021–2023 strategy is on the following:
- Infrastructure and spatial planning
- Education
- Innovation and digitalisation
- Dialogue and networks
- Sustainable logistics
Due to its unique location in the centre of Europe and Switzerland's strong orientation towards foreign trade, the Basel region is of central importance for foreign trade. Furthermore, Basel is the most important logistics centre in Switzerland. As a result, all four modes of transport – inland waterways, air transport, road transport, and rail transport – have efficient infrastructures.
Find additional info at: https://www.logistikcluster-regionbasel.ch/
Rent relief for technology start-ups with specific requirements for rental space
To reduce the fixed costs of technology start-ups with specific requirements for rental space (such as laboratories, clean rooms, space for pilot or high-tech production, specific IT or server space, etc.), the Economic Development Unit offers subsidies for rental expenses. In concrete terms, this means that companies can be supported for two years at a cost ceiling of CHF 75,000 per year for a maximum of 50 per cent of their rental expenses.
More information on rent relief
"For Bottmedical, the possibility of rent relief was crucial support, especially during the company's start-up phase. It allowed us to reduce our fixed costs and invest in value-adding activities instead."
Congress sponsorship during Covid-19
Nine funded congresses were planned for 2021, four of which were held on-site, three of which took place virtually, and two others that were hybrid. One-third of the more than 6,500 congress attendees participated online. After all congresses were cancelled, postponed, or held digitally in 2020, participants from Switzerland and abroad looked forward to the live events in Basel.
The canton of Basel-Stadt's congress promotion aims to acquire, develop, and retain congresses, tapping a previously untapped potential with benefits beyond tourism. The promotion also strengthens Basel as an internationally leading innovative business and knowledge location.
More information on congress funding
In 2021, the Economic Development Unit supported the Swiss Innovation Forum, an inspiring, cross-sector platform for creative minds, and the "Future Health Basel" health conference. The latter took place in virtual form on the Novartis Campus. In addition, an article on how the Basel region is shaping health innovations was published in the NZZ supplement "Zukunft Gesundheit".
"Thanks to the support of the canton, we were able to build the necessary relationships for a major event. The relocation of our congress to Basel has contributed decisively to its success."
Basel business space market 2021
Commercial space availability is essential for the successful development of Basel as a business location. Therefore, the Basel-Stadt Economic Development Agency produces an annual report on the current market situation for business premises in Basel and summarises ongoing planning and development projects.
The current report contains insights into the development of office space demand in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the opening of the Novartis Campus, and the influence of Roche's construction activity on the Basel real estate market.
Relaunch of the digital business space portfolio Basel-Stadt
The Basel-Stadt Economic Development Agency has maintained a digital portfolio of business sites for some time. The web platform provides companies, start-ups and investors interested in Basel as a business location with an overview of the business sites available and under development.
In 2021, the tool was refreshed and supplemented with additional functions. Current real estate offers with more than 1,000 square metres can now be displayed. Commercial space listings can be filtered according to use, size, and additional information (e.g. research institutes or co-working spaces). Further information on development sites with a share of commercial space can be called up.
Start-up Guide Basel Area – THE entrepreneur's handbook for the Basel region
2021 saw the launch of the first edition of the Start-up Guide Basel Area. Various organisations and partners have contributed to and actively participated in its creation. The Start-up Guide Basel Area introduces the important players in the Basel region and offers valuable tools for setting up companies.
The handbook clarifies that the canton of Basel-Stadt offers excellent location conditions for start-ups and companies from many sectors, especially the life sciences industry. Moreover, many companies, including in the biotech, medtech and IT sectors, in the canton of Basel-Stadt are interested in collaborating with start-ups on innovative projects. Basel is, therefore, the ideal place for science-oriented young entrepreneurs. This impression is confirmed by many successful Basel start-ups presented in the guide, such as ARTIDIS, MyCamper and Mycrobez.
Interested in a free copy of the guide?
Submit enquiries to business@bs.ch (while stocks last).
https://startupguide.com/shop/startup-guide-basel-area
Research cooperation RocketVax
In June 2021, the government council granted financial aid to the University Hospital Basel to strengthen Basel as a research location in vaccine development. The funds will flow into the "RocketVax" research collaboration and be used for the preclinical development of a second-generation vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is intended to provide the population with long-term immunity against Covid-19. The research collaboration brings together public and public-law institutions from the Basel area and private companies. The former includes the University Hospital Basel (UHB), the University of Basel and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH). The latter includes Swiss Rockets AG, RocketVax AG (both based in the canton of Basel-Stadt) and other industrial partners.
In the medium term, the Basel location will be strengthened to further implement related projects. The cooperation of public and private industrial partners is to be sustainably anchored.