FAQs about our innovation hub next to Paul Scherrer Institut PSI: From clean rooms and laboratories to technology transfer and funding opportunities – we have compiled the most important facts for your deep tech growth.
General Information
What is Park Innovaare and what is its history?
Park Innovaare is one of the six main sites of Switzerland Innovation, located in the immediate vicinity of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI. The idea for Park Innovaare arose from the need to transfer PSI’s research results into industrial applications more efficiently. Following the founding of innovAARE AG in 2015, the opening of the large-scale building in early 2024 (23,000 m2 of floor space) marked the final step toward becoming a physical, international-standard deep-tech innovation center.
Which technological areas does the Park focus on?
Park Innovaare focuses on four deep tech innovation clusters:
What distinguishes Park Innovaare from other innovation centers?
Park Innovaare stands out from traditional business parks and incubators through four central Unique Selling Points (USPs):
- Direct Connection to PSI: The Park is operationally and physically linked to the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, Switzerland’s largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences. Tenants have direct access to globally unique large-scale research facilities, such as the Swiss Light Source (SLS).
- Deep Tech Infrastructure: The Park focuses on hardware-based high technology. The buildings offer specialized infrastructure, including vibration-free foundations (VC-E standard) and BSL-2 safety level laboratories.
- Bridge Builders: Through centers like ANAXAM (material analytics) or Swiss PIC (photonics), professional intermediaries exist to translate complex industrial problems directly into scientific solutions.
- Global Visibility & Support: As part of Switzerland Innovation, the site offers global visibility. It also benefits from strong support from the Canton of Aargau, providing companies with excellent funding conditions.
What conditions must companies meet to settle here?
None. Every company is welcome at Park Innovaare. Current tenants often have a clear deep-tech focus and a connection to PSI’s research areas.
Available Spaces
What specific space formats and fit-out levels are offered?
Park Innovaare offers highly flexible space concepts for various company sizes and needs. Options range from large rental areas on the 5th floor (200 to 1,200 m2), handed over as a "shell and core" (base build) for full customization, to smaller, fully fitted-out units on the 1st floor. For startups and companies with lower space requirements, coworking spaces (flex or fixed) and furnished offices starting from 28 m2 are also available.
How high are the rental costs for office and laboratory space?
Rental prices vary depending on the size of the lab or office space. Due to the highly specialized technical requirements of our tenants, we provide individual calculations. Please contact us at info(at)parkinnovaare.ch for a sample calculation.
Ecosystem
How do I benefit from the local ecosystem and network?
The Park’s ecosystem acts as a catalyst. The physical proximity of over 30 established large companies, SMEs, startups, and PSI researchers leads to spontaneous encounters and planned collaborations. Tenants gain access to a broad network, specialist events, and the "Switzerland Innovation" brand, which significantly increases visibility among investors and partners.
What other services does Park Innovaare offer?
"Community Life" at the Park includes more than just networking between science and business. It offers practical amenities such as a Community Zone with coffee and water, various meeting and event rooms (8 to 100 people), catering options (a restaurant with 190 seats), and over 100 covered parking spaces. Employees can also use PSI’s sports facilities and childcare services.
What access to talent and highly qualified specialists does the site provide?
Recruiting top talent is made easier by the proximity to two of the world’s most renowned institutions: PSI (as part of the ETH Domain) and the practice-oriented FHNW (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland). Companies in the Park benefit from career fairs and specialist events.
What funding, support, and coaching offers are available for startups?
Startups benefit from a strong network: Innosuisse, Horizon Europe, and the Aargau Research Fund offer financial support depending on the project phase and technology. The PSI Founder Fellowship supports founders with seed capital, coaching, and infrastructure access, while the HTZ (High-Tech Zentrum Aargau) assists with feasibility studies and partner search. For entrepreneurial coaching, genisuisse mentors are available to guide founders through business modeling, leadership, and market entry.
Laboratories and Cleanrooms
What makerspaces and analytical labs are available?
For rapid prototyping, the Park offers specialized Labs (small: 13 m2 / large: 26 m2) equipped with worktables, wall cabinets, and utility channels (including 6 bar compressed air and osmosis water). Additionally, there are predefined lab units for various disciplines, some with fume hoods and nitrogen connections. A shared ISO 5 – 7 category cleanroom with high vibration resistance (up to VC-E) is also available, which is crucial for semiconductor and nanotechnology.
Can I rent lab space suitable for BSL-2?
Yes. For life sciences and biotech work, lab spaces can be planned and built out to meet requirements up to BSL-2. Specific requirements depend on the usage, safety concept, and the fit-out standard of the area.
Are there move-in-ready labs for a quick start?
Yes. There are move-in-ready lab and office options available for a fast start. For projects with specific utility, safety, or cleanroom requirements, a suitable expansion path will be defined in parallel.
Are there special solutions for startups and spin-offs?
Yes, the Park offers flexible entry options. In addition to large "shell and core" rental spaces or furnished offices, there are coworking areas with fixed or flexible workstations and shared spaces. This allows startups to start small and grow within the ecosystem as needed.
Event and Meeting Rooms
Can external companies rent meeting and event rooms?
Yes. The 18 meeting and conference rooms can be used by external organizations for workshops, customer days, or specialist events. Availability, room sizes, technology, and catering can be combined depending on the occasion.
Anreise
How do I get to Park Innovaare from Brugg station via public transport?
From Brugg station, you can reach Park Innovaare by bus in the direction of Villigen. The bus stop is located directly at the Park.
What is the international accessibility of the Park?
Park Innovaare is strategically located between Zurich and Basel. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is reachable in approximately 35–40 minutes. A bus runs every 15 minutes from the Park to Brugg station (main line Zurich-Basel).
Access to PSI
What advantages does the proximity to the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI offer?
PSI is Switzerland's largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences. Companies at Park Innovaare benefit from a globally unique combination of large-scale research facilities (such as SLS, SINQ, and SwissFEL) and the expertise of over 2,000 PSI employees. This enables research and analytics at a level unattainable in standard industrial labs.
Who can use the PSI workshops and cleanrooms?
The highly specialized PSI workshops and modern PSI cleanrooms are available to both resident companies and external partners. Usage is based on a rental model. Coordination is handled via the Park’s office or the PSI transfer center.
How does access to PSI large-scale research facilities work for industrial projects?
Industrial projects can be linked to PSI infrastructure through cooperation models, service agreements, and transfer structures (via Technology Transfer at PSI). The typical process involves clarifying needs, identifying the appropriate facility and expert team, defining the project setup, and then implementing the measurement or development phase.
Sustainablity
What sustainability features do the building and site offer?
The site is designed for efficient operation, including energy-related optimizations and local solutions. Park Innovaare is covering around 95% of its heating requirements by recycling waste heat from its own cooling systems. The remaining heating requirements are covered by the district heating network of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI. Technical key data and site-specific information for ESG and sustainability reports can be provided on a project-specific basis.