Field guide | Investors & corporate teams

Navigate the Swiss AI & robotics ecosystem.

Start with the capability you need, then distinguish research, emerging companies and deployment partners. This guide connects useful public entry points with the questions to ask next.

Explore the ecosystem Get the scouting brief

By Dr. Justinas Mišeikis · Updated 6 October 2026 · Sources linked throughout

A map by purpose

Who helps with which question?

This is a selective navigation guide, not a ranking or a complete company database. Zurich is one entry point; EPFL and the national innovation network broaden the view beyond one region.

01 / Research & emerging capabilities

What technical expertise or new approach could matter to us?

ETH AI Center

An entry point for ETH's AI research activity and events.

Your next step: Identify the relevant research group, then check publications, capabilities and the route for an industry enquiry.

02 / University startup discovery

Which companies are emerging from research?

EPFL Startup Launchpad

A university startup hub with a public community and startup directory.

Your next step: Screen for your use case and stage. A university origin is a research signal, not proof of commercial readiness.

03 / Applied R&D & collaboration

Where could a company find a relevant research environment?

Switzerland Innovation

A national network connecting companies, researchers and academic partners.

Your next step: Match a specific technical need to a park or specialist facility; verify capabilities, terms and available capacity.

04 / Innovation support

Which support route might fit a collaborative project?

Innosuisse

The Swiss Innovation Agency supports innovation projects, collaboration and startup development.

Your next step: Check the current programme and eligibility with the agency before building it into a funding or market-entry plan.

Public sources checked on 6 October 2026. Inclusion does not imply a relationship, endorsement, access or programme eligibility.

Move from the map to a shortlist

Companies, capital and conversations.

Companies & labs

Filter the existing GZA directory by technology, organisation type and size. Recheck operating status, product and fit before outreach.

Explore robotics organisations

Investor landscape

Use sector and stage filters to identify potentially relevant investors. Confirm the current mandate and investment activity directly.

Explore Swiss VCs

Ecosystem meetings

Use the event calendar to plan a visit around a clear meeting objective, relevant attendees and an achievable follow-up.

Explore Swiss events

For venture investors

Early stage and scale-up need different evidence.

Early stage: test the technical thesis

What works beyond a controlled demo?
Which data, IP and specialist skills are essential?
What experiment would reduce the largest uncertainty?
Which customer problem justifies the next milestone?

Scale-up: test repeatability

Can performance repeat across customer deployments?
How much custom engineering does each sale require?
What are the support, infrastructure and hardware costs?
Can the team sustain delivery, reliability and growth?

Explore technical due diligence

Reusable worksheet

Start with your investment or partnership thesis.

Define the application, stage, evidence threshold and exclusions before collecting names. A smaller, relevant shortlist is easier to act on.

Technical capability and customer problem
Stage, geography and commercial maturity
Evidence required and questions to resolve
Partner role or investment fit
Reason to approach and next decision

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Put the context to work

Looking for Swiss startups that fit your thesis?

I help investors and corporate teams define a scouting brief, assess early-stage and scale-up companies, and prepare the technical questions behind a partnership or investment decision.

Discuss a Swiss scouting brief