Urs Seiler is a professional news editor, global matchmaker and he is a peak communicator. He helps tech companies, professional organizations, and NGOs to bring their unconscious brand mission to the surface. He is a black belt in Gojy-Ryu karate. Famous last words: words are not words, they are actions.
His motto in life is: «Always give yourself a chance to get lucky.»
Global technology companies such as Google, Ethereum, Micro soft, IBM, Disney, Oracle, Facebook, Apple, Huawei or China Telecom didn’t choose Zurich by chance: With over 5,000 companies (multinational corporations, SMEs and startups) and 50,000 computer specialists, Zurich is one of the major hubs for information and communications technology (ICT) in Europe. ETH Zurich, the leading university in continental Europe, the University of Zurich and several universities of applied sciences are, among other things, the innovation drivers in the fields of soft ware engineering, artificial intelligence, computer vision, virtual and augmented reality and other subsectors. The dynamic ecosystem also includes suppliers, specialized service providers, in novation-friendly authorities, investors, and incubators.
Zurich is a business center offering international experience and a top network of global connections. The finance sector generates around a third of the wealth and a quarter of the jobs in the city. Zurich is also a leading location for information and communications technologies in Europe. The Swiss Federal University of Technology (ETH) represents an important anchor for this success. In the field of computer science, ETH Zurich is the second-best university in the world – behind Oxford, but ahead of Stanford, Cambridge and M.I.T (source: 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Specific courses of study cover the spectrum of information and communications technologies as well as associated engineering fields. They encompass information science, information technology and electrotechnology as well as many specialized fields of data science, computer vision and robotics. All of the educational institutions are strong research centers and representatives of science.
In addition to German, most people in Zurich also speak one or more foreign languages, in particular English, French, and Italian. Indeed, so many speak English that it is widely regarded as one of the city’s working languages.
Zurich International Airport is just a few kilometers from down-town Zurich. An 11-minute rail service operates from Zurich main station. Zurich International Airport is the leading European airport in terms of quality and ecology. At the end of 2018, the airport operated well over 2600 flights a week to all five continents.
Public transport in Zurich is fast, clean, safe, punctual and enjoys a legendary reputation. It is extremely user-friendly: the coordinated rail, bus, tram and boat network throughout the entire region operates on the basis of “one ticket for all types of transport”. The Zurich public transport system is internationally recognized as the leader in its field and is frequently copied by other major cities. Zurich is an important rail crossroad with fast connections within Switzerland and to key European destinations. High-speed services – ICE (Germany), TGV (France) and Pendolino (Italy) – operate to and from Zurich.
The bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU accord allow Switzerland equal status with EU member countries in a number of important areas. Hence there are no competitive distortions to put the Swiss economy at a disadvantage relative to its EU competitors, without affecting the traditional advantages of Switzerland as a business location. There are virtually no remaining technical barriers to trade with the EU. Switzerland continues to adapt its legislation to that of the EU. With the signing of the bilateral agreements, professional qualifications are now widely recognized on a mutual basis, especially those in academic, and paramedical disciplines. Swiss research teams are fully entitled to apply for EU research funding.
The Swiss tax system is one of the most attractive in Europe – both for companies and individuals. Employees and entrepreneurs also benefit from low incidental wage costs.
Switzerland is the world’s most innovative country according to the 2019 edition of the Global Innovation Index. Sweden is a close second followed by the United States, Netherlands, and United Kingdom.
The internet giant Google capitalizes on the internationality and wealth of innovative ideas offered by Zurich as a business location.
Google is the world's best-known firm for internet services, advertising, and software development. Its Zurich location is Google's largest technological corporate headquarters in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and is mainly involved with its Maps, Search, Gmail, Calendar and YouTube divisions.
Google sets great store by the creative development of its employees (Google Zurich employees are called Zooglers - Google + Zurich). The American company operates according to the premise that great ideas are born only when a creative working atmosphere is provided. The Google Switzerland office in Zurich specifically encourages this type of open corporate culture to ensure that there are no obstacles to innovation. Google develops and improves diverse tools at its Swiss location which are then used around the world.
With its central location in Europe, Switzerland offers a setting in which Google employees can feel at ease and develop themselves creatively. Furthermore, the ideal conditions for local research and development work can be found in the Greater Zurich Area. The central location, excellent infrastructure and high quality of living make Zurich extremely attractive for Google employees. The close proximity to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) and the EPFL in Lausanne is also decisive for Google.
Mihai Alisie is the co-founder of Ethereum, one of the blockchain pioneers that settled in Zug in 2014. The rapid success of Ethereum attracted many more blockchain companies in and around the area of Zurich and made Switzerland a well-known hub for crypto and blockchain businesses.
What makes Switzerland particularly suitable for cryptocurrency businesses?
M. Alisie: "I believe Switzerland is a great place for cryptocurrency businesses and block chain initiatives for many reasons: First, it is strategically placed in the heart of Europe. There are several airports well connected with the whole world. Furthermore, decentralization as a mindset is deeply embedded in Switzerland with its different cantons. I believe, that’s why blockchain as a concept is seen more as an opportunity for improvement here whereas in other countries, where there is more of a top-down hierarchy, blockchain is rather viewed as a threat. When we came to Switzerland with Ethereum, we were pleasantly surprised to see the openness and forward-thinking attitude of the Canton of Zug and of other authorities. This reassured us that we had made the right choice."
Greater Zurich Area Ltd (GZA) has been the official investment support agency for Switzerland’s economic center since 1999. GZA assists companies with their global evaluation and integration into Switzerland via structure consulting, peer industry and partner introductions, information on R&D incentive programs, site tours, staffing, and business plan preparation for meetings with local government and the tax authorities.