Innovation and technology transfer

Switzerland is the country in the world that registers the most patents.  With 1,152 patents in force per 100,000 inhabitants, Switzerland has been able to maintain its leading place, unlike other countries.

Apart from the undeniable know-how, when it comes to patents, trademarks and copyrights, commercial companies can, at a national level, count on several technology transfer and innovation support programmes (cantonal universities, EPFL, four research institutes within the EPFL, and universities of applied sciences, among others). These programmes mainly aim to reinforce communication and collaboration among laboratories and enterprises, in order to let the results of research and the scientific potential of advanced schools be passed on to the applied side.