22 | Swiss Venture Guide 2012 | cover stories
BlueLion
BlueLion – Support and Coaching for ICT and CleanTech Start-ups
BlueLion is an initiative to increase the success chances of early stage ICT and CleanTech projects. The BlueLion Incubator offers work spaces, offices and a high degree of support and coaching in a purpose-built new facility in booming Zurich-North.
Zurich is an important center for innovation and technology research in Europe. Well-established knowledge transfer mechanisms create a steady flow of new spin-off projects from academia into startup businesses. Two industries for which Zurich is fast becoming a hotspot are ICT and CleanTech: World-renowned research institutions, Google’s largest site outside the USA, Disney’s Cinematography Technology Research Center and many others have created a large and vibrant network of technology research, high-tech startups and active platforms for exchange among experts in these fields. The City of Zurich has put policies into practice to foster these areas: the “eZurich” initiative for the promotion of ICT as well as several sustainability programs. In spring 2012 the City has opened an incubator designed to support startup projects with ICT or CleanTech focus: the BlueLion Foundation. BlueLion was created by the City of Zurich, ZKB Zurich Cantonal Bank, Swisscom, the foundation Effort for Zurich, and Dr. Christian Wenger, and in partnership with ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. Day-to-day operations happen in close cooperation with Startzentrum Zurich.
Dr. Christian Wenger, promoter, founder and chairman of the BlueLion Foundation and Chairman of CTI Invest says: „We developed the BlueLion idea over the past three years and are glad to have established a strong network with excellent partners. There is still a strong need to further support and strengthen the startup community in which BlueLion incubator shall play an important role in the future.“ The BlueLion is located in a state-of-the-art facility, perfectly situated halfway between the airport and the city. This building used to be one of the largest car dealerships in Zurich; its 12.500 m2 have now been turned into a lively cluster of creative people and entrepreneurs. BlueLion targets early stage projects – which are too mature for the lab, but not yet ready to operate fully independently. In addition, together with its sister organization Startzentrum, BlueLion welcomes foreign startup and young companies looking for a first location in the Zurich area. Its proximity to the local universities, its team with more than ten years of experience in coaching and supporting startups, its “plug-in” infrastructure and its excellent support network of partners with expertise in many disciplines make BlueLion the ideal location to start and grow an ICT or CleanTech startup company. The BlueLion Incubator offers fully furnished work spaces including IT and telephony infrastructure, a shared reception and secretarial team, and access to meeting rooms and regular events. Single offices of various sizes can also be rented. Gert Christen, CEO of the BlueLion Incubator, describes its purpose: