Voices

We asked Simona Fehlmann, CEO and co-founder of sallea, what innovation means to her. Sallea manufactures 3D-printed salt templates that enable the production of lighter and stronger carbon components.

From 2024 to 2026, five AI projects were successfully implemented in the second implementation phase of the Innovation Sandbox for AI: AI in medical documentation, autonomous inspection robots, digital eye clinic, sensor-based bridge monitoring and AI for building permits. As artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important for companies and society, the Innovation Sandbox will begin its third implementation phase this year. Together with partners, further AI projects are tested under real conditions and open regulatory issues are clarified.

We asked Richard König, Deputy Head of Legal and Construction at Gossweiler Ingenieure AG, what innovation means to him. Gossweiler is an engineering company that offers consulting, planning and construction as well as analyses, measurements and tests in various areas. Its services are geared towards cities, municipalities, community-based businesses, companies and private individuals.

We have interviewed Marcel Muri, Dipl. Architect ETH, owner of NOKEMA GmbH and location promoter for Volketswil, asked what innovation means to him.
NOKEMA GmbH deals with spatial planning, while the Volketswil location promotion organisation is involved in various projects and activities for the further development of Volketswil as a business location and place to live.

Marcel Muri (NOKEMA GmbH), Raphael von Thiessen (Canton of Zurich), Richard König (Gossweiler Ingenieure AG) and Yves Rutishauser (Byte Studio GmbH) show how artificial intelligence can be applied to building permits. A prototype for the reporting procedure can be used to optimize processes and improve the quality of submissions.

Dr. Panagiotis Martakis (irmos technologies), Raphael von Thiessen (Canton of Zurich) and Stephan Zürcher (Schweizerische Südostbahn) show how irmos technologies uses AI-based sensor technology to evaluate train vibrations and monitor bridges more precisely. In the Innovation Sandbox for AI, they examine legal aspects relating to the data and can then share the findings with other authorities.

We asked Gábor Márk Somfai, Head of Research of the Eye Clinic of Stadtspital Triemli, what innovation means to him.

Stadtspital Triemli pioneers the future of diagnostics with oculomics and AI – supported by the Canton Zurich. Together with Rui Santos, Project Manager Research, and Raphael von Thiessen, Programme Manager of the Innovation Sandbox for AI at the Office for Economy of the Canton Zurich, the team explores ethical and legal challenges.

Stadtspital Zürich pioneers the future of diagnostics with oculomics and AI – supported by the Canton of Zurich. Dr. Gábor Márk Somfai, Head of Research of the Eye Clinic, and Dr. Rui Santos, Project Manager Research, explain how AI helps detect eye, brain and systemic diseases.

Together with Raphael von Thiessen, Programme Manager of the Innovation Sandbox for AI at the Office for Economy, the team explores ethical and legal challenges.

The FoodHUB Wädenswil is the central contact point for food innovation - supported by the Canton of Zurich, the ZHAW and Wädenswil. Managing Director Clemens Rüttimann explains how start-ups are supported here from the laboratory idea to market launch. Together with partners such as the foodward foundation and Future of Food, the FoodHUB combines research, market experience and expert knowledge.

We asked Clemens Rüttimann, Managing Director of FoodHUB Wädenswil, what innovation means to him. FoodHUB Wädenswil is an initiative of the Canton of Zurich, the ZHAW and the City of Wädenswil in collaboration with the foodward Foundation to promote an innovative and regenerative food system.

TWINT is more than just a payment app - it is a Swiss innovation that has redefined everyday digital payments. Jens Plath, Chief Marketing Officer, and Adrian Reto Plattner, Chief Sales Officer at TWINT, explain how an idea became one of Switzerland's best-known brands - and how the Zurich location and close cooperation with various partners help them to remain innovative in a fast-moving market.

We asked Jens Plath, Chief Marketing Officer at TWINT, what innovation means to him.
TWINT was founded in September 2016 as Switzerland's payment app and has steadily grown in popularity over the past few years. Its openness to all Swiss banks, its ever-increasing acceptance in stores and online stores and a whole range of useful functions have made the TWINT app a loyal everyday companion for many people.