Microcity inaugurates a new site in Neuchâtel

Microcity has inaugurated the third site of its innovation hub, a new space for exchanges and creativity in the heart of the canton of Neuchâtel. With the opening of its third activity site, a modern collaborative space with a refined design, Microcity wants to bring together all the actors of innovation under one roof. “The […]

Microcity has inaugurated the third site of its innovation hub, a new space for exchanges and creativity in the heart of the canton of Neuchâtel.

With the opening of its third activity site, a modern collaborative space with a refined design, Microcity wants to bring together all the actors of innovation under one roof. “The canton of Neuchâtel plays a leading role in the world thanks to its exceptionally dense innovation ecosystem. A multitude of academic and economic actors are developing new projects every day. We have set up Microcity SA to highlight this dynamism, accelerate technology transfer and stimulate new interactions,” explains State Councillor Jean-Nathanaël Karakash.

Microcity SA’s mission is to support and promote innovation in the canton of Neuchâtel. The structure is affiliated to the national program Switzerland Innovation, a platform that aims to position the country as an international innovation hub. It particularly values technology transfer in the fields of micro-nanotechnologies, micro-manufacturing and industrialization processes, targeting both start-ups and large companies.

A new site dedicated to collaboration

Caroline Heid, President of Microcity SA, referred to the importance of having an open and flexible space that stimulates synergies between innovation players: “in a world of advanced technologies and sophisticated communication tools, the cafeteria, for example, is still one of the most efficient communication channels, as innovations are driven by women and men. And these women and men need meeting places where they are comfortable to get to know each other and want to work together”. Beyond its two historic sites in La Chaux-de-Fonds and in the EPFL building in Neuchâtel, Microcity therefore needed a physical location that could better exploit this potential for collaboration. The new 1,000 square meter site in Neuchâtel has a capacity of around 80 people, and some 15 start-ups have already set up activities on-site.