Geneva welcomes a new landmark innovation campus
Business environment
29 June 2020
The new Geneva-based incubator “Octagon by B living” is a 100% private initiative and is intended to be a space for experimentation dedicated to social entrepreneurship. Located in Grand-Saconnex near Palexpo and the Geneva international airport, the new “Octagon by B living” incubator is composed of three octagonal-shaped commercial buildings for a total surface area […]
The new Geneva-based incubator “Octagon by B living” is a 100% private initiative and is intended to be a space for experimentation dedicated to social entrepreneurship.
Located in Grand-Saconnex near Palexpo and the Geneva international airport, the new “Octagon by B living” incubator is composed of three octagonal-shaped commercial buildings for a total surface area of 22,590 square meters of rental space, and is 100% privately owned. The incubator could accommodate up to 200 start-ups, for a total of approximately 1,500 people.
The Octagon campus is more than just an incubator. Instead, it should be seen as a “gigantic laboratory, where the main focus will be innovation,” says Salvatore Matteis, CEO of Octagon. “The companies we are targeting all have activities that facilitate the emergence of innovations with a positive social, environmental and economic impact. Whether they are start-ups, entrepreneurs, or more mature companies, the idea is to create an innovation ecosystem dedicated to social entrepreneurship. »
In keeping with this trend, the new Geneva incubator is targeting cleantechs, healthtechs that would be active in promoting public health, or fintechs that would incorporate a more social approach. “This center will further strengthen the position of the Lake Geneva region, which boasts a considerable number of start-ups whose activities are in line with the sustainable development objectives of the United Nations,” says Salvatore Matteis.
The facilities are already open and its current residents include international companies and organizations such as the American chemical company Chemours, the American company DXC Technology and the United Nations International Computing Center.
