Together with 26 partners from the private sector, the city of Baden and the canton launched the “International Business Location Baden 4.0” project in August. In order to increase the speed of innovation, measures should be developed and promoted together within this public-private partnership.
Baden lives innovation
Innovation has shaped Baden as a business location for over 100 years. This should remain the case in the future. In March 2023, the residents’ council approved a commitment loan of CHF 400,000 to promote the business location. The “International Business Location Baden 4.0” project aims to create greater proximity to the private sector. Through improved networking – also between SMEs and large companies – needs can be identified more quickly and solutions can be developed through short and uncomplicated routes. The synergies in Baden’s key industry sectors – high-tech energy/electrical engineering, medtech, health and industry-related ICT – are to be further expanded with the Baden 4.0 project.
For Thomas Lütolf, head of the economic contact point for the city of Baden, it is clear:
“The agreement on the goals is encouraging, and the potential for benefits is correspondingly great. The systematic networking of existing competencies and the bundling of the many individual commitments make effective implementation possible.”
Project Baden 4.0 officially launched
In mid-August 2023, 26 partners from business, research and education founded the Baden 4.0 project together with the city of Baden and the canton of Aargau (see list). More will be added soon. On the basis of two workshops, a package of measures was developed and launched in this public-private partnership. Government councilor and economics director Dieter Egli believes in Baden 4.0 and is convinced: “The settlement of young, innovative start-ups and spin-offs creates attractive jobs that give rise to new ways of working and living.”
Equal, collaborative support
In addition to the CHF 400,000 agreed upon by the residents’ council, the business partners are also committed to supporting Baden 4.0 with the same amount and further developing the business location.
“Bundling pioneering strength is paying off for Baden as a business location – regionally, cantonally, nationally and even internationally!”
says city mayor Markus Schneider happily.
The implementation of the first measures will begin in September. The partners organize themselves into working groups, each with one partner as lead. The next plenum involving all decision-makers will take place in March 2024. The overall management of Baden 4.0 is the responsibility of the city’s economic contact point.
The following 26 partners are already involved in Baden 4.0:
- Aargauische Industrie- und Handelskammer
- ABB Schweiz AG
- ABB Technikerschule
- Accelleron
- Autexis Holding AG
- Aveniq
- AXPO Holding AG
- BBB Berufsfachschule
- Bildungsnetzwerk Aargau Ost
- citycom baden
- Data Unit AG
- Dectris AG
- digitalswitzerland
- Eglin Immobilien AG
- Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz
- GE Vernova
- Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
- Hightech Zentrum Aargau AG
- Infosys Limited
- INNOVAARE AG
- Kantonsspital Baden AG
- libs Industrielle Berufslehren Schweiz
- Paul Scherrer Institut PSI
- Projektgesellschaft Konnex
- Trafo Baden Betriebs AG
- Varian Medical Systems Imaging Laboratory GmbH
Source: CITY OF BADEN, Rathausgasse 1, 5400 Baden, Sep 4, 2023
https://www.baden.ch/en.html/4