Upcoming events

February 4, 2026
Swiss-Swedish Innovation Initiative at ETH Zurich
Registration is closed.
If you would like to apply for participation kindly contact Jessica Rutley (jessica.rutley@business-sweden.se)
Swiss Nordic Bio 2026
Read more here

SWII 2026 I Agenda

08:00 - 08:30
Registration
08:30 - 08:40
Welcome Address from Switzerland and Sweden

Dr. Christian Schaffner, Director ETH Energy Science Center

H.E Carl Magnus Nesser, Ambassador from Sweden to Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Agnés Petit, Member of the Executive Committee and Head of PRoject and Programme Funding Division, Innosuisse

08:40 - 08:45
Introduction to the Swiss-Swedish Innovation Initiative with Germany and Austria

Maja Zoric, Trade & Invest Commissioner, Business Sweden

08:45 - 09:00
EUREKA-Eurostars: Boost innovation across borders

Janique Siffert, Programme Manager, Innosuisse

Peter Lindberg, Eureka National Project Coordinator, International Cooperation, Vinnova

Johanna Scheck, Programme Manager, FFG

Bojan Hörnich, Project Leader, European and International Cooperation, DLR

EUREKA-Eurostars: The SME Perspective
Amin Rostamian, CEO Novamet

09:00 - 09:10
Welcome Keynote by ETH Energy Science Center as Host

Dr. Christian Schaffner, Director ETH Energy Science Center

09:10 - 10:10
Invitation to innovation collaboration with investors, end-users and MNEs

Swiss, Swedish, German and Austrian MNEs and end-users about their innovation priorities and what innovation collaboration they invite to | 6 keynotes (10 min per keynote)

From Innovation to Impact: Building Net Zero Industries at Scale
Christian Bauer, CEO, InnoEnergy

Synopsis: InnoEnergy is Europe’s leading engine for sustainable energy innovation. The keynote showcases how InnoEnergy transforms breakthrough technologies into industrial companies, develops the talent required for the transition, and builds strategic value chains in batteries, solar, and hydrogen. Examples from the portfolio illustrate how cross border ecosystems accelerate industrial decarbonization.

When will Robots Take the Next Step and Enter Real Work Assignments in Utilities?
Anders Wik, R&D Manager, Nuclear & Asset Digitalization, Vattenfall AB

Synopsis: Robotics and AI are merging quickly together. We can now see that humanoids with communication skills entering the real world. Our aim is to understand how a utility can make use of this technology in a safe and secure way.

Open Innovation & Venturing for Profitable Growth
Thierry Golliard, Director Open Innovation & Venturing, Swiss Post

Synopsis: Swiss Post has just been awarded “world’s best postal service” for the ninth time in a row but is at the same time facing unprecedented disruption. Where does Swiss Post plan to grow in this challenging environment? How is Swiss Post leveraging foresight, innovation and venture capital to achieve it? And what kind of startups/partnerships is Swiss Post interested in?

VERBUND - Accelerating the Energy Transition
Rudolf Zauner, Senior Innovation Manager, New Technologies, VerbundX

Synopsis: VERBUND X Ventures is the corporate venture unit of VERBUND AG. This presentation outlines our approach to scouting cleantech startups and showcases VERBUND X Ventures’ current portfolio. We will also share examples of collaborations with business units to demonstrate how we accelerate the energy transition and set new standards for renewable power

Invitation to Innovation Collaboration Opportunities with Scania Invest
Jessica Persson, Head of M&A and VC, Scania CV

Synopsis: This presentation will explore within which areas that Scania is interested in.

Invitation to Innovation Collaboration Opportunities with Frequentis
Georg Trausmuth, Director Corporate Research, Frequentis

Synopsis: This presentation will explore within which areas that Frequentis is interested in.

10:10 - 10:40
Networking coffee break

Participants are invited to a joint coffee break

10:40 - 11:30
Cont. Invitation to innovation collaboration with end-users and MNEs

Swiss, Swedish, German and Austrian MNEs and end-users about their innovation priorities and what innovation collaboration they invite to | 5 keynotes (10 min per keynote)

AI Driven Resilient Supply Chains. How Could Quantum Computing Change the Game?
Johan Vallin, Head of Product Line Quantum and Blockchain, Ericsson

Synopsis: AI is already transforming supply chains into predictive, resilient systems. Ericsson’s advancements in quantum point to what comes next. This keynote will focus on how Ericsson is part of enabling the next generation’s resilient supply chains with AI and what innovation collaborations we are interested in exploring.

Collaborate with Startups to Reinvent How the World Builds
Bengt Steinbrecher, Head of Holcim MAQER Ventures

Synopsis: We’re partnering with innovative startups to accelerate transformation across the construction industry—from decarbonizing and circularizing materials to leveraging digital technologies and AI. Together, we’re driving new solutions that boost productivity, efficiency, and sustainability across the entire built environment, from design to construction and beyond.

Digital twins for the high-voltage grid
David Holdener, Lead Digital Operations Axpo Grid AG

Synopsis: Digital Twins are transforming grid management by integrating BIM-based modeling with advanced condition monitoring. This approach enables utilities to create accurate, dynamic representations of their assets, facilitating real-time insights, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making for a more resilient and efficient grid.

Leveraging AI to Grow Business and Shrink Footprint
Matthias Graeber, Head of AI, Bühler Group

Synopsis: Bühler uses AI in two main areas: To optimize manufacturing processes globally and support the industry achieving their sustainability targets and create tangible value. To enhance business excellence in the Bühler organization and drive profitability. The presentation covers Bühler's AI Strategy and gives examples of use cases.

AI for Real-World Challenges in Industry
Björn Beckmann, Machine Learning Expert, Siemens-Energy

Synopsis: Siemens Energy tackles industrial challenges by deploying state-of-the-art AI — including Computer Vision, PhysicsML, and GenAI — with R&D activities across design, manufacturing, operations, and service feedback, and extending into corporate functions such as predictive finance, intelligent knowledge graphs, and supply chain orchestration. Because off-the-shelf systems often fall short of rigorous industrial requirements, we develop problem-specific solutions and tailored technical approaches, often in collaboration with external partners to bridge the gap between pioneering research and industry needs.

11:30 - 12:10
Invitation to innovation collaboration with universities and research institutes

Swiss, Swedish, German and Austrian universities and research institutes about their innovation priorities and what innovation collaboration they invite to | 4 keynotes (10 min per keynote)

Software-Defined Innovation. Assured Success.
Prof. Dr. Mario Trapp, Executive Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems, IKS

Synopsis: Software technologies such as AI and quantum computing are revolutionizing innovation. But transforming cutting-edge technology into real-world value remains the ultimate challenge. Success demands a unified approach: breakthrough functionality, enterprise-grade quality, and user acceptance must work as one integrated formula to ensure your product wins in the market.

Knowledge-Driven Optimization: Human-Machine Co-Learning for Sustainable Decision-Making in the AI Era
Amos H.C Ng. Professor of Automation Engineering, University of Skövde

Synopsis: Knowledge-Driven Optimization (KDO) transforms multi-/many-objective optimization from a purely solution-finding process into a human–machine co-learning framework, in which trade-off solutions generate reusable knowledge for both decision makers and AI systems. This presentation will demonstrate how the symbiosis of Virtual Factories, optimization analytics, Explainable AI, graph databases and LLM enables transparent, sustainable (energy-saving), and human-centric decision-making in the AI era with real-world industrial-based results.

Driving Innovation for Future Energy Supply Systems
Stephan Abermann, Head of CU Power and Renewable Gas Systems, AIT Center for Energy

Synopsis: Energy Supply Systems are transformed by the accelerating megatrends of electrification, renewables, and digitalization. This transformation must meet growing demands in terms of Sustainability, Affordability as well as Resilience and Security.  The AIT Center for Energy addresses these challenges through system-level and technology-oriented research, focusing on three key areas: Infrastructure Development and Modernization, Storage and Sector Coupling Technologies, and Crosscutting and Enabling Topics. A spotlight is given to AI-supported, digital material development.

Distributed Intelligent Systems: Challenges and Opportunities for Real-World Deployments
Alcherio Martinoli, Full Professor, Director of the Distributed Intelligent Systems and Algorithms Laboratory, Institute of Environmental Engineering (IIE), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), EPFL

Synopsis: Multi-robot systems and mobile sensor networks have a great potential in achieving more sustainable solutions for operation, maintenance, and quality assessment of community-critical infrastructures and resources. However, moving from laboratory to real-world settings involves significant challenges which highly depend on the targeted environmental conditions and expected operational performances of the system. I will illustrate such challenges and application opportunities with concrete examples from our work.

12:10 - 13:20
Networking lunch

Particpants are invited to a joint networking lunch

13:20 - 14:50
Elevator pitches from 22 Swiss, Swedish, German and Austrian Born Globals

Decoding Earth: From Pixels to Actions
Dr. Sergey Sukhanov, CEO, FlyPix AI GmbH

Synopsis: FlyPix AI is a SaaS Earth Observation platform that empowers asset managers, energy providers, facility operators, and other stakeholders with advanced monitoring and inspection capabilities. Designed for automation and scale, the platform transforms satellite, aerial, and drone imagery into actionable insights with unmatched accuracy and reliability. Already trusted by public and private organizations, FlyPix AI has been recognized internationally for its innovation, practical value, and usability.

Democratizing Industrial Robotics Through No Code Automation
Charly Blanc, CTO, Auto-Mate Robotics Systems

Synopsis: Industrial automation is often inaccessible to manufacturers operating in high mix low volume environments due to cost, complexity and reliance on external specialists. Auto Mate Robotics empowers companies to use their existing workforce to deploy and adapt robotic workflows through an intuitive no-code interface, modular robot cells and plug and play hardware. This enables rapid reconfiguration, lowers lifecycle costs and makes advanced automation attainable.

How to build all Brain Functions within a Computer – just more powerful
George Gesek, CEO, NOVARION Systems

Synopsis: Scientists still struggle to nail down how exactly our brain works. Let’s imagine, we’d have a Digital Twin of it. But other than the Blue Brain Project, we do not establish this on the abstraction layer of the neurons but on the purely functional layer, using the computational advantages of today’s and tomorrow’s hardware. 

The 3D Data Highway for Industrial AI
Christian Stein, CEO, Threedy GmbH

Synopsis: Threedy unlocks the hidden value of your 3D and CAD data with spatial-computing-as-a-service middleware, making industrial 3D applications smarter and more accessible. By bridging the gap between complex engineering data and AI, Threedy empowers organisations to transform static files into actionable insights and interactive virtual spaces. Their next R&D frontier: GenAI-powered interaction with virtual 3D data and on-demand, intuitive UI/UX for seamless digital workflows.

Scaling Flexibility: Orchestrating Distributed Energy Assets for Tomorrow’s Grid
Gianluca Corbellini, CEO, Hive Power SA

Synopsis: As energy systems shift toward decentralisation, tapping flexibility from distributed assets – solar PV, batteries, and EV charging – is becoming essential for grid resilience and economic performance. Hive Power offers a practical view of what “energy orchestration” looks like in the real world, powered by our FLEXO platform. With advanced forecasting, multi-objective optimisation, and seamless integration with existing IoT layers, FLEXO enables asset owners and operators to unlock new value streams across both front-of-meter and behind-the-meter use cases.  

Rapid Prototyping as an R&D Multiplier
Christoffer Johannesson, CEO, Dyno Robotics

Synopsis: Early-stage robotics R&D often becomes costly due to late validation and unclear assumptions. Dyno Robotics will show how rapid, system-level prototyping enables teams to test ideas early, reduce technical risk, and make better R&D decisions without large upfront investments.

Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions
Juris Ulmanis, Director of Quantum Technology, Alpine Quantum Technology

Synopsis: Quantum computing is emerging as a new paradigm for accelerated problem solving. The nascent technology is highly interdisciplinary and integrates physics, computer science, electronics engineering and many other fields. An innovative and resilient hardware and software supply chain is required to commercialize this technology.

The future of submerged asset integrity inspections
Igor Martin, CEO, Hydromea

Synopsis: Inspections of submerged infrastructure are costly, risky and pollutive. Hydromea develops technologies that allow smart portable robotics to collect asset integrity data in most complex environments at a fraction of today's cost and with much better repeatability.

Enabling Real-Time AI on Embedded Hardware
Stefan Kunz, Commercial Manager, Embedl

Synopsis: Embedl enables companies to run artificial intelligence directly on embedded hardware - fast, efficient, and without cloud dependence. Our Python-based software product (SDK) automatically adapts AI models to fit any device, unlocking real-time autonomy: from self-driving cars reacting instantly to their surroundings, to industrial systems powering automation, quality control, and predictive maintenance. We’re seeking partners building next-generation autonomous and connected systems, where latency, energy efficiency, and reliability truly matter.

Quantum Advantage Today: Industrial Performance and Quantum-Resilient Security
Nathan Harboury, Head of Quantum Machine Learning, Terra Quantum

Synopsis: Terra Quantum delivers practical quantum advantage today across two core domains. Our quantum-enhanced AI optimises complex industrial systems, such as blast furnace operations, delivering measurable energy savings and emissions reductions. At the same time, our post-quantum cryptography programme provides a clear, operational path from risk assessment to migration, ensuring long-term quantum-safe security aligned with emerging standards. Together, these solutions transform quantum innovation into real-world operational impact.

The Power Grid Needs Flexibility: EVs cCpable of Bidirectional Charging can Provide it - Energy Bank Makes it Happen
Christian Jacobsson, CEO, Energy Bank

Synopsis: EVs with bidirectional charging offer unparalleled, cost-effective flexibility to the power grid. Energy Bank is deploying scalable solutions in Sweden with VW AG, VW Sweden, and Vattenfall, and has initiated steps in Switzerland while seeking new partners. Rather than simply adding flexibility, Energy Bank aims for full, automatic system integration, collaborating with energy providers and grid owners to develop optimal solutions.

Securing the Air-Gap: Mathematical Data Provenance for OT/IT Integration
Carl Hendrix, Founder & CEO, InnoviGuard

Synopsis: InnoviGuard secures sensor data across critical infrastructure; validating source and integrity in real-time, even offline.
No servers, no certificates, no complex pathways. Just plug-and-play security, that reduces costs while meeting EU compliance.
Built for energy, manufacturing, and OT environments where downtime isn't an option.

AiPS: Unlocking Hidden Capacity in Manufacturing with Optimal Production Plans
Rama Nanjundaiah, Founder & CEO, Phantasma Labs GmbH

SynopsisAiPS is an AI-driven production planning and scheduling solution that uses reinforcement learning to help manufacturers unlock hidden capacity, optimise efficiency, and reduce manual planning by up to 90 percent, all without the need for big data or extra capital investment. Seamlessly integrating with ERP and MES systems, AiPS generates production plans up to 30 percent more efficient in seconds, enabling rapid adaptation to supply chain disruptions and operational shifts. With a proven return on investment in just 3 to 6 months, AiPS delivers immediate business value and long-term competitiveness for modern manufacturing.

Generative AI for Computer Vision Training
Elliot Sparrow, CEO, Repli5

Synopsis: Repli5 uses generative AI to create realistic, diverse training data for computer vision models, enabling engineers in automotive, robotics, and defence to accelerate development and reduce costs. Our platform makes it easy to generate data for rare or hard-to-capture scenarios, helping teams overcome bottlenecks in perception model training. Whether you’re looking to boost development speed, improve data coverage, or expand your AI capabilities, Repli5 is your partner for innovation within computer vision.

From Data to Decisions: Shaping the Future of Industry with IoT and AI
Jonas Schmid, Co-CEO, Akenza AG

Synopsis: Factories generate massive amounts of IoT data, but its value lies in turning that data into insights that improve operations. Genio, the AI assistant on Akenza, empowers organizations by combining IoT data with AI to deliver actionable recommendations. Together, IoT and AI shape the future of industrial innovation.

Bending the Rules of the AI Game – How Inceptron Enables Viable AI Business Models at Scale
Lucas Ferreira, CEO, Inceptron

Synopsis: Most AI projects face a choice between performance and profitability. Inceptron has created the enabling architecture to achieve both. We provide a new compute platform that allows for the scalable deployment of AI models with viable unit economics. This presentation unpacks our playbook for making AI a sustainable, revenue-generating engine, not a cost center.

Multi-Robot Control, not Humanoid Robots
Baptiste Busch, CEO, AICA SA

Synopsis: Industrial environments don't need humanoid robots but safe and easy way of controlling multiple robots’ arms, eventually on a mobile or interacting with mobile platforms. AICA's real-time control framework is ideally suited for the development of such interactions.

Trusting AI Agents to Take Action in Enterprise Environments
Per Ottosson, CEO, Teneo AI

Synopsis:Most enterprises are stuck in the "Pilot Purgatory" of Generative AI – impressed by the chat capabilities but terrified of the operational risks. How do you empower an AI agent to take autonomous action without risking brand reputation or compliance violations? In this session, we reveal the Hybrid AI strategy used by AT&T, Microsoft, and Medtronic to solve this exact dilemma. We will demonstrate how to decouple the "creative" layer of AI from the "logical" layer, resulting in agents that achieve 99% accuracy in understanding user intent. Discover how to deploy agents that don't just talk, but safely execute complex workflows – verified, compliant, and fully automated.

Klepsydra AI - Put Intelligence at the Edge
Klaus Buchhein, Head of Business Development & Member of Management Team, Klepsydra

Synopsis: Development of a unified and highly efficient framework for Intelligent Robot Application, enabling a wide adoption of intelligent robotic applications utilising the Klepsydra framework. Based on lock-free programming techniques, Klepsydra enables highly efficient (Low power, high throughput) implementation of AI algorithms and across a wide variety of hardware solution. This helps to implement a SW based AI approach to avoid vendor lock-in with dedicated HW accelerators such as GPUs, etc.

Decarbonising Industrial Heat - Cutting Costs and Carbon
Martin Arvidsson, CEO and Founder, Solstice AB

Synopsis: Solstice develops high-temperature solar-batteries systems that replace fossil fuels in industrial heat processes. By delivering reliable, on-demand solar heat, we enable industry to decarbonise and save costs.

Scalable AI Transformation for Manufacturing
Dorian Selz, CEO & Co-Founder, Squirro AG

Synopsis: We propose standing up a curated Knowledge Graph for manufacturing links processes to the supporting evidence and outcomes, and provides auditable, permission-aware traceability.  In parallel, we want to advance our Agentic AI work to drive people driven autonomous Workflows in manufacturing in order to achieve enterprise-scale AI transformation.

Physical AGI - A Total Disrupt of Industry Automation
Karim Nouira, CEO, Superintelligence Computing Systems SICSAI AB

Synopsis: Most industrial robots are robust and scalable in structured settings, but struggle with flexibility and reliability in complex, unpredictable environments. Existing AI solutions add some flexibility, but often at the cost of reliability and scalability, creating barriers to widespread automation. Our approach introduces an AI that learns like a child, delivering both flexibility and robustness to close the automation gap and unlock transformative potential for industry.

14:50 - 15:10
Networking coffee break

Participants are invited to a joint networking coffee break

15:10 - 18.10
One-to-One matchmaking meetings

All meetings are booked in advance in the online system

Contact person:
Ms. Viktoria Pletikos, Senior Consultant,
Business Sweden Switzerland

Ms. Jessica Rutley, Consultant,
Business Sweden Switzerland


Direct phone: +43 660 215 77 10
E-Mail: viktoria.pletikos@business-sweden.se

Direct phone: +43 660 740 38 86
E-Mail: jessica.rutley@business-sweden.se