Business news

Whether it’s new technologies, the latest innovations, up-and-coming startups, or established companies—on this page you’ll find the latest news from the economic region .

Rivora has won two IAZI Awards

Winterthur – The Rivora Collective Foundation received the awards for Best Residential Properties 2026 and Best Pension Fund in 2026. The awards are presented by IAZI in Zurich. Rivora is a long-standing partner of Auwiesen Immobilien AG.

Next Generation Joins the PAWI Group Board of Directors

Winterthur – Désirée Keller and Céline Küng have joined the Board of Directors of the PAWI Group. The two daughters of company owner and Chairman of the Board Andreas Keller are expected to strengthen the long-term strategic direction of the family-run packaging specialist.

Burckhardt Compression supplies compressors for LNG terminals

Winterthur - Burckhardt Compression has received several orders for compressors for LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals in Taiwan and Thailand. The company will build eight Laby compression units for boil-off gas and one for minimum flow service.

Three Chopfab beers win gold at the Swiss Beer Awards

Winterthur/Baden AG – The Chopfab Brewery won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2026 Swiss Beer Awards. At the awards ceremony held at the Trafohalle in Baden in mid-April, a total of 165 beers were honored across 43 categories. The new main sponsor of the beer awards is Bucher Denwel from Niederweningen, Zurich.  

Ernst Göhner Holdings invests in Netcloud

Seuzach, Canton of Zurich/Zurich – Zurich-based investor EGS Beteiligungen is becoming the anchor shareholder of Netcloud AG, headquartered in Seuzach. This move gives the IT service provider a new shareholder structure, which is intended to further strengthen the company’s long-term development and stability.

The finalists for the 16th KMU-MAX have been announced

Winterthur – Cafe Restaurant Obergass, the coffee roastery Küng & Co AG, and Selzam AG are the finalists for the 16th KMU-MAX, which comes with a prize of 3,000 Swiss francs. The winner of this entrepreneurship award, sponsored by the Winterthur and Surrounding Area SME Association, will be determined live on May 20, 2026, by a public vote.

Majority in Baden votes for an ad-free city with exceptions

Baden AG/Winterthur/Liestal BL – The pilot project by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the Energiestadt Association on the topic of an ad-free city in Baden has received a mixed reception from the public and the media. Its goal was to examine local acceptance of advertising regulations.

AI robotics startup Binabik is setting up shop in Winterthur

Winterthur – The startup Binabik has chosen Technopark Winterthur as its location. The spin-off from the ZHAW Center for Artificial Intelligence is using agent-based artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a "brain" for humanoid robots, enabling them to act autonomously and flexibly.

Majority favors seasonal produce on the vegetable shelf

Winterthur – The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) found in a survey that a more seasonally oriented food selection is viewed positively or neutrally by the majority of respondents. Older people are more likely to accept a smaller variety than younger people.

ZHAW releases digital tool for building designs

Winterthur – Researchers at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) have developed a digital tool for sustainable construction. On dkon.ch, users can assess the impact of specific design decisions on the environment, costs, and construction methods.

ZHAW Reports Record Number of Students in 2025

Winterthur – The number of students at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) rose by 2.4 percent to 14,995 in 2025, setting a new record. Regula Jöhl, who took office as rector in February 2025, aims to further strengthen cooperation between the departments.

Katadyn launches a new generation of portable water filters

Kemptthal, Zurich – Katadyn introduces its new Explorer water filter series. These portable, modular units are designed for expeditions and professional field operations. They combine ceramic filtration, activated carbon, and virus removal.

Swiss Excellence is seeking applicants for the 2026 Product Award

Zurich/Winterthur – The Swiss Excellence Foundation is seeking applicants for the 2026 Product Award. Two prizes will be awarded to SMEs and startups. Interested parties can apply by May 15. The awards ceremony will take place on September 17 at Technopark Winterthur.

Podcastschmiede Wins the Suisse Podcast Award

Winterthur – Podcastschmiede has won the Suisse Podcast Award in the “Business & Nonprofit” category for its podcast “Auf Bewährung: Leben mit Gefängnis” (On Probation: Life with Prison). As part of the project, the podcast agency, in collaboration with the Zurich Cantonal Department of Justice, offers insights into the world of the correctional system.

Winterthur is banking on solar power from the neighborhood

Winterthur – Seven out of ten households in Winterthur currently have access to solar power from their neighborhood. This power is provided by 155 local communities, which collectively operate 535 of the 2,500 solar systems installed in Winterthur. The federal government supports local consumption by offering a discount.

The Female Founders Initiative supports female founders of eight startups

Zurich/Winterthur – The Female Founders Initiative is launching the latest edition of the FF+ Acceleration Program with eight female startup founders and their teams. Over the course of ten weeks, the program will offer workshops, expertise, essential tools, and networking opportunities designed to help build companies ready for investment.

Zurich Soft Robotics Installs Solskin Façade on the KELLER Diamant Building

Zurich/Winterthur – Zurich Soft Robotics GmbH is carrying out its largest project to date using its Solskin facade technology. An adaptive building envelope comprising 3,500 modules covering 1,300 square meters has been installed on the KELLER Diamant building in Winterthur. The facade combines dynamic shading with electricity generation via photovoltaics.

Kistler and Cyltronic Launch Compact Servo Press

Winterthur – The two Winterthur-based companies Kistler and Cyltronic have developed a compact servo press equipped with a servo amplifier, motor, and sensors. The electromechanical joining modules in the new series combine all the components necessary for a safe joining process into a single housing.

Burckhardt Compression manufactures compressors for Hanwha Ocean

Winterthur/Okpo – Burckhardt Compression has received the largest single order in its history in the marine segment. The compressor manufacturer has been commissioned by the Korean company Hanwha Ocean to build 14 boil-off gas compressors for liquefied gas carriers. Everllence was also involved in the development.

SBB Begins Expansion Between Zurich and Winterthur

Bern/Winterthur – SBB and the participating construction companies are beginning work on the expansion of the Wallisellen, Dietlikon, Bassersdorf, and Winterthur Töss stations. Preliminary work on the Brütten Tunnel is getting underway. By 2037, the line between Zurich and Winterthur is to be expanded to four tracks throughout its entire length.

Migros Simplifies Medbase's Ownership Structure

Winterthur/Zurich – The Migros Cooperative Association will become the sole owner of the Medbase Group. It is acquiring the shares held by the Migros cooperatives in Eastern Switzerland, Lucerne, and Zurich. Medbase is expected to further expand its position as one of the leading providers in the healthcare market.

Swiss soils are contaminated with PFAS

Winterthur/Zurich – Soils throughout Switzerland are contaminated with so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS), but elevated concentrations are found only at specific sites. This is the conclusion reached by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich.

PAWI Group Restructures Its Leadership

Winterthur/Singen – Andreas Keller is stepping down as Group CEO of PAWI Group AG. The company owner will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors of the packaging specialist. The Winterthur and Singen locations will be led in the future by Urban Ettlin, Edoardo Finotti, and Silvan Flury as co-CEOs.

Volcafe brings its North American operations under its management

Winterthur/Irvington – Volcafe will now manage and oversee all operations in the U.S. and Canada under the umbrella of Volcafe North America. This means that the company’s entire North American business is now fully integrated into the Winterthur-based green coffee trader’s global platform.