How can companies in Aargau turn ideas and research into concrete innovation? And where can they find the right expertise, partners and funding? These questions were at the heart of our recent lunch session at Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare, where we welcomed Raphael Markstaller, Head of Knowledge and Technology Transfer at fitt.ch, and Anna Fuss from the Aargau Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AIHK). The event provided companies from Park Innovaare with practical insights into the support available to businesses in Aargau – from young startups to established companies.

Connecting business and science

A key topic was fitt.ch, the joint knowledge and technology transfer office of FHNW and AIHK. Its role is to make it easier for companies to access the expertise and resources of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. For companies, this can mean access to specialist expertise, applied research projects, student projects, FHNW development laboratories and graduates. fitt.ch also provides innovation support for technical, economic and process-related questions and can help companies identify potential funding opportunities for joint research and development projects, including applications to Innosuisse.

More than a presentation

While the presentations provided plenty of valuable input, the discussion afterwards showed why personal exchange and networking are such an important part of an innovation ecosystem. Companies from Park Innovaare actively participated in the discussion, exchanged experiences and contacts, and explored potential connections and opportunities for collaboration.

For Park Innovaare, this is precisely what such events are about: bringing companies together with relevant institutions, expertise and people – and creating opportunities for new ideas and collaborations to emerge. We look forward to continuing to connect our community with the people and organisations that can help turn innovation potential into real opportunities.