ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT A cutting-edge industry of the canton of 2 VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

GREEN TECHNOLOGIES COMING TO THE CANTON OF VAUD

The canton of Vaud is a center of excellence for the research and development of clean technologies. The region boasts cutting-edge skills – both academic and practical – in the sector.

Around the world, there is a growing interest in and deve­ Anticipating the future lopment of environmentally friendly solutions aimed at In this regard, the canton of Vaud can pride itself on having reducing the consumption of natural resources and limiting studied these issues for many years now, positioning itself greenhouse gas emissions. With climate change, the at the forefront of environmental technologies. Companies depletion of resources, pollution and ecosystem already active in cleantech will therefore have a prominent degradation, the environment now needs to be taken into role to play in the years to come and should be given en­ account in any economic activity. couragement and support.

Switzerland recently adopted its “Energy Strategy 2050”. To this end, the environmental technologies cluster of The development of renewable energies and energy effi­ Western – CleantechAlps – is committed to ciency, especially that of buildings, will be widely pro­ promoting and supporting businesses, and providing them moted in the country in the coming years. Every company with access to networking opportunities, while integrating will have to reflect upon its energy consumption: changes research institutes that are active in the sector. Other sup­ in procedures, investment in new equipment, maintenance port organizations and partners, such as Innovaud, encour­ of infrastructure, etc. age the creation and development of innovative companies, particularly those active in clean technologies.

The canton of Vaud also has several innovation parks (EPFL Innovation Park, Y-PARC, TecOrbe etc.) which can accom­ modate companies of all sizes and offer services to busi­ nesses in the cleantech sector. The EPFL’s research and training centers, the Environmental Science and Engineer­ ing department and the HEIG-VD’s Ecotechnology depart­ ment in particular generate key knowledge and produce 5% leading specialists. GE/“Panorama of Swiss cleantech startups” 2017 report startups” cleantech of Swiss - GE/“Panorama S -

the share of Swiss GPD that cleantech represents (2017). Source: SCleantech SCleantech Source:

AN IDEAL ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTING Located in the heart of Europe, Vaud, the largest of the French-speak­ There are some 50,000 companies in Switzerland never ceases to amaze ing cantons, is also the most popu­ the canton, mainly operating in the with its diversity and prosperity. Its lated, with more than 800,000 service sector, but they also lead the political system is based on direct inhabitants. An illustration of its open­ way in technology sectors with high demo­cracy and consensus, giving ness is that nearly a third of its popu­ added value such as precision instru­ rise to productive stability that lation hails from abroad. A significant ments, medical equipment and infor­ greatly benefits­ the economy. The proportion of these people are highly mation technology. country regularly ranks among the qualified and were attracted by the most competitive in the world. working conditions and excellence of the region’s institutions. Source: cleantech.com Source: VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 3

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

The name cleantech encompasses various industrial sectors in which the canton of Vaud is broadly involved.

Development of renewable energies Solar, wind, hydraulic, geothermal: these are the clean en­ ergy resources of tomorrow. Their development will also enable the creation of value-added jobs. In the canton of Vaud, the EPFL works to devote itself fully to these issues, notably through its Energy Center (CEN). Solar energy re­ ceives significant investment, with projects that are iconic Top 10 and famous all around the world such as Bertrand Piccard’s aircraft and Raphael Domjan’s SolarStratos. Solar Impulse was partly designed at the EPFL and bene­ fited from the engineering skills of local companies. Switzerland featured in the top 10 in the Global Cleantech Innovation Index in 2014 Energy efficiency and 2017. A further key pillar of the Energy Strategy 2050 is energy efficiency, with the aim being to reduce energy consump­ tion, notably that of buildings – for businesses, industries and individuals – and by extension the consumption of re­ sources. In Switzerland, the building sector alone con­ sumes 45% of the energy used in the country. Essentially, the challenge is to achieve better insulation of buildings.

Smart grids are one of the means of achieving greater en­ ergy efficiency, with their function being to distribute ­en ergy according to actual needs. A startup called DEPsys, for example, focuses on the development of such devices. RANKING GE/“Panorama of Swiss cleantech startups” 2017 report startups” cleantech of Swiss - GE/“Panorama S - Waste management MARKETS TARGETED This area encompasses the treatment, processing and re­ BY SWISS CLEANTECH covery of waste, including the new sources of energy that STARTUPS are the result, (biomass, biodiesel, biogas), the sectors and

Source: SCleantech SCleantech Source: challenges of recycling, the circular economy and industrial 1. USA (16) ecology. The EPFL and HEIG-VD are working on these is­ sues by offering courses to students and conducting nu­ merous research projects. Companies such as Retripa in 2. China (10) Crissier, Tridel in , Ecorecyclage in Lavigny and STRID in Yverdon-les-Bains are fully dedicated to this field. 3. Europe (10) Germany, France and Austria at the top

4. Rest of Asia (3)

5. Canada (3) Source: cleantech.com Source: 4 VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Industrial ecology Consulting engineering in the fields of energy Drawing on natural ecosystems, industrial ecology consi­ and the environment ders flows of material and energy as closed circuits. The Switzerland and particularly the canton of Vaud have waste of one industry becomes the raw material of another, numerous engineering firms specializing in energy and the just as the residual heat produced by the activities of one environment. The most famous are: CSD Conseils, BG, company can be recovered for the activities of another: this Planair, Weinmann Energies, Impact-Concept, Effin’Art and practices are shaping the circular economy. The Chablais biol conseils. region in Vaud conducted a pilot experiment for the canton back in 2011–2012, and benefited from several sites in its From local to global territory which are generators of specific flows (including While energy efficiency solutions and the roll-out of renew­ a refinery and the Monthey chemical site). able energies need to be considered in the canton of Vaud and in the rest of Switzerland, other issues are proving to Water management and treatment be critical elsewhere in the world: water management, pol­ Returning wastewater to the natural environment, which lution, waste treatment, electrical equipment in remote then becomes suitable for consumption once more: opti­ areas, etc. mizing this cycle to promote the quality of this important resource for all of us is crucial. Limiting consumption is also Vaud companies with major international deployment a challenge for the future to avoid any shortage. Today, the include Leclanché for energy storage solutions; Green canton has nearly 160 wastewater treatment plants Motion for its charging devices for electric vehicles, which (WWTP) of widely varying sizes serving more than 300 mu­ is experiencing particularly high demand in China and nicipalities and more than 98% of the Vaud population. seeking to establish itself in India; and Tyre Recycling Many startups are also active in the water treatment and Solutions, which, as its name suggests, is active in the purification field. recycling of tires and has future plans to develop joint ventures with its financial partners in the Middle East, Africa, South America and Europe. Source: Cleantech – EMS – Cleantech Source:

“Cleantechs are a market segment combining technologies, manufacturing processes and services aiming to protect and preserve natural resources, and are generating ever-increasing demand all around the world. Renowned for their cutting-edge technology and quality, Swiss exporters are in pole position in this DANIEL KÜNG CEO of Switzerland international race.” Global Enterprise VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 5

CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH INSTITUTES

Research institutes form the ecosystem for the research and development of new clean energy solutions.

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) The EPFL has been involved in the sectors of renewable energies, energy efficiency and polluted sites for many The EPFL has also developed a center specializing in years, in particular through its Environmental Science and energy issues, called the Energy Center (CEN). The Engineering department. This unit is divided into four main center is involved in several large and ambitious pro­ fields of research: atmosphere and climate, water and soil, jects, including EUCALC, a European calculator pro­ waste and pollution, monitoring and modeling. ject; IntegrCiTy, which promotes the interoperability of energy networks in existing or future urban infra­ structures by developing a decision support tool; and Rebound Effects and Energy Strategy 2050, designed 20 to anticipate the collateral effects of the strategy. groups and laboratories make up the department. Their teaching and research activities cover most of the varying interdisciplinary and related thematic issues in the environment sector.

2,500 billion

the global cleantech market has shown an annual growth rate of 10.6% over the last 10 years (EUR). It is expected to continue to grow at an annual rate of 6.5% until 2025. Source: Cleantech – EMS – Cleantech Source:

“The proximity of the EPFL was the deciding factor in the launch of the Solar Impulse technological challenge in the canton of Vaud. And I must admit that the sight of the terraced vineyards of Lavaux overlooking Lake Geneva into which the Savoy Alps

BERTRAND PICCARD fall is something that I will take with me to the other end Co-developer and of the planet.” co-pilot of Solar Impulse 6 VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

School of Engineering and Management Vaud (HEIG-VD) The HEIG-VD also focuses on clean technologies through THE SOLAR REVOLUTION its Ecotechnology department. The faculties of “Electrical IN THREE DATES Engineering” and “Industrial Systems” allow students to Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg’s follow this path. Solar Impulse solar aircraft project is the subject of a feasibility study at the EPFL. In terms of research, the HEIG-VD focuses, for example, 2003 The production of the device will draw on on the study, sizing and characterization of photovoltaic the industrial skills in materials of a com­ systems, wind turbine systems and mini hydroelectric pany called Décision, based in Écublens. power plants; the development of decision support tools The aircraft will take off on its first flight for urban energy planning and performance monitoring, six years later. and the design of decentralized energy systems for devel­ oping countries are also areas of focus. PlanetSolar, which saw HEIG-VD col­ laborate in the design, is the largest so­ lar-powered boat in the world and is un­ 20 2010 veiled in February at the Kiel shipyard in To date, around 20 startups have been created in HEIG-VD institutes, including some in the environmental sector: Germany. It will then go on a world tour - Stignergy and DEPsys, active in smart grids; to raise awareness of energy transition - ecoRobotix, which develops devices to reduce and in particular study the phenomenon the environmental impact in agriculture. of the Gulf Stream.

SolarStratos – a solar aircraft aiming for the stratosphere invented by Swiss pilot Raphaël Domjan – counts Y-PARC and Yverdon Energies among its dozen or so 2016 suppliers. The HEIG-VD was one of the project’s technical partners, with the can­ The HEIG-VD Institute of Energy and Electrical ton of Vaud, the city of Lausanne and the Systems (IESE) provides expertise in the sector of “ADNV” (Northern Vaud Development As­ electrical energy in the broadest sense of the term sociation) providing institutional support, and focuses on energy systems with an electrical among others. component.

The IESE’s mission is the transfer of technology in the form of applied research projects, development man­ dates, expert consulting and post-training courses. For innovative industrial projects, the IESE partici­ pates in the search for suitable public co-financing and also suggests partnerships suited to the execu­ tion of the projects. VD, Institut d’Energie et Systèmes Electriques (IESE) Electriques et Systèmes Institut d’Energie VD, Photo: HEIG - Photo: 2017 report startups” cleantech of Swiss “Panorama Source: VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 7

CUTTING-EDGE COMPANIES

Many organizations, from historic companies to startups, are getting involved in the cleantech sector in Vaud. An overview.

ActLight biol conseils EPFL spin-off ActLight works in the photonics sector deve­ biol conseils was founded in 1985 and has around 30 people loping a new type of photodetector and improving photo­ working in the environment and decision support sectors. voltaic energy recovery technology. The firm works with innovative tools such as drones, auto­ act-light.com matic measurement stations and WebGIS platforms. biolconseils.ch

Avalgo Environmental friendly technology for the disposal and re­ bNovate Technologies cycling of aquatic plants where they are a nuisance. This Vaud-based startup, based at the EPFL Innovation avalgo.com Park, has developed a method to continuously monitor the microbiological quality of drinking water. bnovate.com BCI Environnement BCI Environnement promotes patented technologies and de­ velops innovative concepts and services in the sectors of en­ CombaGroup vironmental protection, waste management and sanitation. This company is based at the Agropôle de and is bci-environment.com breaking new ground in crop automation processes and the design of high-tech solutions such as aeroponics. combagroup.com BG BG Group is a consulting engineering firm on an international scale. Its mission: to help build a sustainable living CSD Ingénieurs environment. It was founded in 1954 and has a presence in CSD Ingénieurs has offices in Lausanne and Yverdon-les- Switzerland, France and Algeria. Its headquarters are in Bains developing solutions for environmental monitoring, Lausanne. decontamination of polluted sites and construction of www.bg-21.com roads and railways, buildings and sites as well as projects in the water and energy sectors. csd.ch

Daphne Technology The company is developing a catalyst-free nanotechnolo­ gy-based scrubber that enables the petrochemical and shipping industries to reduce harmful emissions. daphnetechnology.com

+25% DEPsys DEPsys is a spin-off from HEIG-VD involved in smart grids and energy distribution. depsys.ch the number of jobs in the cleantech sector in Switzerland recorded between 2012 and 2017. Around 15,000 people work in this sector in the canton of Vaud. VD, Institut d’Energie et Systèmes Electriques (IESE) Electriques et Systèmes Institut d’Energie VD, Photo: HEIG - Photo: 2017 report startups” cleantech of Swiss “Panorama Source: 8 VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

ecoRobotix eSMART Technologies This startup develops, manufactures and markets innova­ A spin-off from the EPFL, eSMART Technologies develops tive agricultural machinery that is energy-efficient and ­re intelligent and connected solutions for interiors, allowing duces the environmental impact of modern agriculture people to manage their energy consumption. while lowering costs. myesmart.com ecorobotix.com

Fireforce Technology Effin’Art Fireforce Technology develops clean biomass combustion Effin’Art is a consulting firm specializing in climate engi­ processes to heat in an environmentally friendly and re­ neering. It seeks to optimize the energy efficiency of build­ sponsible way. ings while maintaining their comfort levels. The firm is located in the center of Lausanne. effinart.ch GRT Technology GRT is an industrial group based at TecOrbe and active in hazardous waste treatment and non-recyclable material plants by means of innovative technologies. grtgroup.swiss

GREEN MOTION Impact-Concept This engineering consulting firm addresses all concerns relating to the management of natural resources and spa­ tial planning, with expertise in the water, environment, ge­ ology and waste sectors. impact-concept.ch

Insolight This Vaud startup has developed a concentrated solar panel with a yield double that of a conventional panel by drawing on space technologies. insolight.ch

Green Motion, which was founded in 2009 in Bussigny, L.E.S.S. develops charging infrastructures for electric vehicles L.E.S.S. (“Light Efficient Systems”) is developing a new gen­ and has quickly become Swiss leader in this field. “We eration of specific lighting systems, based on a nano-struc­ design, produce and market our charging stations and tured active fiber the thickness of a human hair. provide our operator customers with the software plat­ less-sa.com form needed to manage charging networks,” says CEO François Randin. We therefore provide both hardware and software.” Lexen Lexen provides energy efficiency solutions. In its early years, Green Motion benefited from two lexen.ch grants of CHF 100,000 from SPEI for the development of its new products. “A significant portion of our prototyping costs was covered by these subsidies,” Nanogence Randin adds. As well as this, we received several The startup develops an inorganic component that replaces thousand francs from the SPEI for participating in and additives currently used in cement and contributes to the exhibiting our products at various events, including the reduction of carbon emissions. Geneva Motor Show. We were then coached by Innovaud when approaching the banks for our financing.” Green Motion was awarded the Scale-Up Navigaflex Vaud label in 2016. Innovative retractable and steerable electric motor for greenmotion.ch boats. navigaflex.ch Source: “Panorama of Swiss cleantech startups” 2017 report/Vaud.ch | Photo: Green Motion Green | Photo: 2017 report/Vaud.ch startups” cleantech of Swiss “Panorama Source: A. Herzog/EPFL 2017 report | Photo: startups” cleantech of Swiss “Panorama Source: VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 9

Neocarbons

Its bioreactor offers an affordable industrial solution for 2CO LECLANCHÉ removal and the production of high value-added chemical components. neocarbons.com

Pix4D This startup uses drones to photograph soil surfaces and model spaces in 3D, which is particularly useful for farmers (crop growth over long periods) and for the prevention of forest fires. pix4d.com

Planair This engineering consulting firm, founded in 1985, develops Founded in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains, Leclanché and implements innovative solutions in the energy efficiency, now ranks among world leaders in energy storage renewable energies and environmental protection sectors. solutions. The firm is particularly active in three main planair.ch sectors: the production of batteries to store various forms of renewable energy, such as solar and wind, and for frequency regulation; mass transport (electric Proxipel buses and automatic guided vehicles, used mainly in This company based in the of Le Vaud has warehouses); and the manufacture of customized designed a mobile unit for the production of pellets. The batteries for very specific applications (primarily mili­ machine makes it possible to process the biomass where tary and medical use). it is located. proxipel.ch After severe financial difficulties in the early 2000s, Leclanché is now experiencing a resurgence in acti­ vity. It employs 150 people, 60 of whom work in Yver­ Retripa don, with the remainder distributed between Based in Crissier, Retripa is active in the recycling and re­ Germany, the USA and the rest of the world. The Ger­ covery of waste and materials of all types. With sites in man factory has a production capacity of around both Valais and the canton of Geneva, the company has a 800,000 battery cells per year. In 2016, Leclanché total of 120 employees and processes nearly 180,000 tons had a turnover of CHF 28 million. of waste each year. retripa.ch In 2015, Leclanché was granted a loan of CHF 500,000 guaranteed by the Cautionnement ro­ mand. A second loan of the same amount was re­ cently guaranteed by the Fonds de soutien à l’industrie. “This money helped us finance investment in our production line in Yverdon-les-Bains,” explains CFO Hubert Angleys. The state contribution was ex­ tremely welcome. It was seen internally as excellent news and an incentive to stay in the region.” “We are also well established in the local educational 61 infrastructure, and employ many apprentices in var­ ious administrative, financial and technical func­ tions,” Angleys adds. The company has partnership agreements with the School of Engineering and Man­ the number of innovative or technological agement Vaud (HEIG) based in Yverdon. cleantech start- ups, with strong growth leclanche.com potential, created in the canton of Vaud between 2006 and 2016. Vaud has seen by far the highest number of startups created: 16 in Valais, 10 in Geneva, eight in Neuchâtel and Fribourg and four in Jura during the same period. Source: “Panorama of Swiss cleantech startups” 2017 report/Vaud.ch | Photo: Green Motion Green | Photo: 2017 report/Vaud.ch startups” cleantech of Swiss “Panorama Source: A. Herzog/EPFL 2017 report | Photo: startups” cleantech of Swiss “Panorama Source: 10 VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Solaronix STRID A pioneer in dye solar cell (or perovskite) technology, This company separates, recycles and incinerates waste Solaronix fitted the vertical façade of the SwissTech (hence the French acronym “STRID”), and operates Convention Center on the EPFL campus – a world first. throughout the whole of Northern Vaud. It provides local solaronix.com services in the fields of consulting, training and awareness as well as collection, transport, separation and recovery. strid.ch Stignergy Based at Y-PARC, Stignergy is active in the sector of effi­ ciency and control in the use of electrical energy for pro­ Swiss Fresh Water fessionals by means of a device based on bio-inspired This company, founded in 2008, is developing a water treat­ artificial intelligence technology. ment system that either operates on the grid or using solar stignergy.ch energy. Swiss Fresh Water technology is designed for private or community markets as well as for low-income groups. swissfreshwater.ch

ROMANDE ENERGIE TreaTech Romande Energie has been active in the canton of Development of clean biomass combustion processes for Vaud for 130 years, initially under the name Vevey- environmentally friendly and responsible heating. Montreux, and produces and distributes electric trea-tech.com power in the canton, for applications ranging from store lighting to the operation of trams. Today, it pursues its mission while developing its R&D element, Tridel in particular by making the best use of renewable This thermal and electrical waste recovery plant, located above energy sources. Romande Energie collaborates Lausanne, processes almost 150,000 tons of waste per year. extensively with higher education institutions and tridel.ch research centers (in particular the EPFL) as well as with well-established startups and companies in the region. In particular, the company has developed the Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS) Enerbois project with the Zhand sawmill in Rueyres This startup recycles used tires from vehicles. The resultant which involves converting wood waste into pellets rubber powder is then used for various industrial and utility for heating. Romande Energie notably worked with applications. The company is a small business based in Leclanché and the EPFL, courtesy of a grant of CHF 2 Gland and founded in 2008. million from the canton of Vaud, to devise a unique trs-ch.com system for storing solar energy derived from photovoltaic panels installed on the roofs of the buildings of the École Polytechnique. Weinmann Energies This engineering consulting firm supports employers and In autumn 2017, Romande Energie also opened its architects in the planning, renovation and optimization of Smart Lab – an incubator whose mission is to foster technical installations while striving for energy efficiency the emergence of innovations for the world of smart in buildings, industry and services. Its headquarters are STRID Photo: energy (the smart grid, data exploitation and the con­ located in Echallens. trol of energy consumption and production). The in­ weinmann-energies.ch cubator has worked on its first project, called Romande Energie Démonstrateur Réseau en Equilibre Local (REel-DEMO). This tool has demonstrated the effectiveness of the decentralized control of distribu­ tion networks in Rolle and . The technologies implemented, in particular the intelligent decentral­ ized control of the network, could be deployed throughout the Romande Energie distribution net­ work. The REel-DEMO project is supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and the canton of Vaud due to its scope and innovative nature. romande-energie.ch VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 11

NETWORK OF SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Several structures support Vaud companies that are active in the sector of renewable energies and connect them with research institutes specializing in these issues. This networking aims to foster synergies, increase visibility and, ultimately, strengthen the sector.

Economic Development – Canton of Vaud (DEV) The DEV is the main contact point for foreign companies looking to set up in the region. To fulfill its role, DEV works with both private (banks, notaries, lawyers, etc.) and pub­ lic partners (various government departments). It provides advice on administrative procedures and financing, and enables newly established companies to benefit from its vast network. dev.ch

EPFL Innovation Park Located next to EPFL, the technological park of the same name hosts more than 160 companies, housed in 14 buildings, covering an area of 55,000 m2. Over 2,000 researchers, engineers, scientists and administrative staff work there. ActLight, active in photonics and photovoltaic energy recovery, and eSMART Technologies, which develops energy consumption management devices, are two examples of companies established there. epfl-innovationpark.ch Photo: STRID Photo:

CLUSTER CLEANTECHALPS CleantechAlps is a networking CleantechAlps has chosen to focus its zerland, or on specific aspects of the initiative led by the French-speaking activities on strengthening high value­ - sector (e.g. water treatment). In parti­ cantons and Berne and supported by added sectors for the economic fabric cular, in 2017 it published the results of the State Secretariat for Economic of Western Switzerland, namely: pho­ a far-reaching study on the most inno­ Affairs (SECO). tovoltaics, small hydropower, waste re­ vative and promising startups in covery, water, smart grids, industrial Switzerland in the environmental tech­ Its mission is to promote Western Swit­ ecology, energy efficiency, eco-mobility nologies sector. zerland as a European center for clean and enabling technologies. cleantech-alps.com technologies. The cluster works with research institutes, SMEs and startups CleantechAlps regularly conducts to provide them with visibility, support studies, carried out via publications, on and networking opportunities. the development of cleantech in Swit­ 12 VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Fonds de technologie Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) This organization guarantees loans up to a maximum The FIT awards grants and loans (of between CHF 20,000 amount of CHF 3 million to Swiss companies whose inno­ and CHF 500,000) to support the development of innovative vative products make it possible to achieve a sustainable technology projects­ at different stages of their evolution. reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. fondation-fit.ch fonds-de-technologie.ch

Innosuisse Innosuisse is the agency which promotes innovation in the Swiss Confederation. It is responsible for encouraging knowledge-based innovation in Switzerland through finan­ cial means, advice and professional networks. innosuisse.ch

TECORBE Innovaud As a gateway to innovation in the canton of Vaud, Innovaud supports and provides networking opportunities for startups and SMEs to develop solutions with them in the area of host­ ing, promotion, funding and/or coaching. Innovaud is firmly established in a vast network of partners, enabling it to redi­ rect requests to the organizations most suited to the needs of each party. Cleantech is one of the four pillars of Innovaud’s investment, along with life sciences, industry and ICT.

innovaud.ch EPFL Photo:

CLUSTER Micronarc The Micronarc communication platform brings together all Based in in northern Vaud, this innovation park the cantons of Western Switzerland. Its aim is to develop and specializes in on environmental technologies, wel­ promote the micro- and nanotechnology cluster common to comes startups and supports local SMEs. It hosts this region, from a scientific, technical and economic point of around 20 companies and accounts for over 60 jobs, view. It thus highlights the infrastructures for training, R&D, and has also become a reference center for clean technology transfer and hosting, as well as the companies technologies (the environment, sustainable develop­ located there. ment, renewable energy and the improvement of micronarc.ch manufacturing processes).

The companies established at TecOrbe can benefit from various networks for coaching (Alliance, Platinn, Genilem), business (CleantechAlps), and academic (HEIG-VD, HES-SO, EPFL) and economic interests (Northern Vaud Development Association – ADNV and the Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation – SPEI). These networks provide support for the stra­ tegic, technological and commercial development of SMEs as well as commercial promotion platforms.

TecOrbe also has an incubator space to welcome startups during their first year of business. While they are hosted there, they can develop their economic and commercial model as well as build and test pro­ 700 totypes of new technological solutions in specialized laboratories and workshops. tecorbe.ch the number of actors brought together under the umbrella of CleantechAlps, the clean technology portal in Western Switzerland. Source: Innovaud | Photo: TecOrbe | Photo: Innovaud Source: VAUD ECONOMIC PROMOTION / ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 13

Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation (SPEI) Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) The SPEI supports companies established in the canton of The FOEN is responsible for ensuring that the exploitation Vaud, and more specifically those active in the sectors of of natural resources such as soil, water, air and woodland, industry and advanced technologies. It advises and informs as well as noise protection are carried out in compliance entrepreneurs, most notably by putting them in touch with with the rules of sustainable development. It is responsible the appropriate organizations according to their specific for protecting against natural hazards, preserving the en­ needs. SPEI can also provide direct financial support. vironment and health from serious harm and conserving invest-vaud.swiss biodiversity and the quality of the landscape. Finally, it im­ plements Switzerland’s international environmental policy. bafu.admin.ch/bafu/en/home SwissCleantech Based in Zurich, this association defends liberal, clear framework conditions that support the sustainable Y-PARC economy and promote cleantech innovation. It is taking This technology park was created in 1991 in Yverdon-les- action to ensure that Switzerland develops a resolutely Bains and is the first of its kind in Switzerland. It is also one forward-looking strategy in this sector. SwissCleantech has of the largest, covering an area of ​50 hectares. It is a around 260 companies and 20 economic associations as competence center which is home to more than 150 its members. companies and startups. Y-PARC provides a full and varied swisscleantech.ch infrastructure – with land for sale, premises to rent and a business incubator – and support services tailored to all. Y-PARC also includes ecoRobotix and Stignergy from the cleantech sector. y-parc.ch Photo: EPFL Photo: Source: Innovaud | Photo: TecOrbe | Photo: Innovaud Source: [email protected] invest-vaud.swiss

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