Welcome to the FEST

The FEST returned to Canada in April 2024 to bring together organizations and audiences from science, technology, industry, academia, arts and community around Swiss-Canadian cleantech innovation.

A dynamic event series to enhance existing business and science collaborations, and encourage future international collaborations through discussions, workshops, networking gatherings, film screenings, and exhibitions.

Watch FEST 2024

The Consulate General of Switzerland is committed bi-lateral relations for science, technology, innovation, education and cultural exchange between Switzerland and Canada.

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INTRODUCTION

The 2nd Swiss Innovation FEST took place in Vancouver, Canada from March 26-April 28, 2024, offering a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to delve into Cleantech's potential in shaping a sustainable future for Canada and Switzerland.

Switzerland, known for its technological advancements, leads in Cleantech, focusing on AI, robotics, personalized health, blockchain, advanced manufacturing, and clean business solutions. Meanwhile, Western Canada also plays a key role in Cleantech, excelling in renewable energy, water and wastewater management, energy storage and efficiency, hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), smart grid, bioproducts, and e-mobility. Ten Western Canadian companies are among the 13 Canadian ventures in the 2024 Global Cleantech 100. Canada's government has outlined its emission reduction roadmap for 2030, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.

The event series showcased Cleantech innovations from Switzerland and Western Canada, vital in addressing the pressing global climate crisis. Through the 2nd Swiss Innovation FEST, we have brought science and society closer together and demonstrated how innovation can impact the present and future of everyone in the community.

PROGRAM

SPRING 2024

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OPENING PANEL

SFU & Online

Tuesday April 2

5-7:30pm PST

Government and industry leaders discuss the role of collaborative technological innovation in building a cleaner, sustainable future.

WATCH HERE

EXHIBITION

SFU Harbour Centre April 2-15

UCalgary, EEEL Oct 9-23

Public (Drop-in)

Can Tech Save the World? explores inspiring Swiss Cleantech solutions that can help mitigate environmental challenges.

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SMART CITIES

Wosk Centre & Online

Thursday April 4

9:30am-1pm PST

Expert researchers discuss the city's role and potential to drive positive change in sustainable building, clean mobility, clean utilities, and more.

WATCH HERE

STARTUP SERIES

Virtual

April 9 & 11

10am PST

Government and industry leaders discuss the role of collaborative technological innovation in building a cleaner, sustainable future.

WATCH HERE

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FILM SCREENING

VIFF & Online

April 11 & April 24-28

6:30pm PST

How can we live more sustainably? Follow the stories of the three young people as they look for solutions and show that change is possible.

WATCH HERE

DECARBONIZATION DIALOGUE

Virtual

Tuesday April 16

10-11:30am PST

Panelists from leading Swiss and Canadian organizations discuss energy challenges and new approaches to collaborative solutions.

WATCH HERE

WATCH THE PLAYLIST!

Smart Cities Lecture Series

MARCH 26-APRIL 5

Dr. Vicente Carabias and Kristi Shalla delivered seven guest lectures, sharing their expertise with students, faculty, and general audiences in Alberta and British Columbia.

WATCH HERE

Smart City Interview

Kristi Shalla is the Innovation Commissioner of Swiss Business Hub USA, and co-author of the book Seoul: Tale of a Smart City published in April 2024. Following the Smart Cities Panel Discussion, Human Biography captured her story!

Invention to Innovation (i2I)

Simon Fraser University (Canada) invites 5 ETH, EPFL and University of Zurich PhD students and post-doctoral fellows in the cleantech, healthtech and bioscience fields who wish to develop entrepreneurial skills, refine their innovation idea, and eventually commercialize their inventions, creating sustainable social and economic value, to apply for the 2024/25 Cleantech Cohort in partnership with Mitacs, a Canadian nonprofit national research organization. To express interest, email Tamara Shtanova, Science & Technology Officer, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver, at:

tamara.shtanova@eda.admin.ch

BROCHURE

WEBSITE

Commercializing Cleantech

Panelists from Switzerland and Alberta discuss the role of policymakers, industry leaders and academia in scaling up innovations.

Read Here

Produced in partnership with

ISM Creative

Launching and supporting game-changing initiatives that pursue knowledge production, meaning, innovation and impact.

FEST24 PARTNERS

Organizations we are excited to work with for FEST24

Institutional Partner

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU connects research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to generate real change.

Institutional Partner

Canada's entrepreneurial university, UCalgary attracts people who want to enhance their knowledge and pursue ground-breaking research.

Program Partner

The official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion with offices throughout Switzerland and in 30 countries.

Corporate Sponsor

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

PR Sponsor

Presence Switzerland is responsible for promoting Switzerland’s image and implementing its communication strategy abroad.

Program Partner

Canada's leading cleantech accelerator fast-tracking Canada to Net-Zero by helping cleantech founders launch and scale their ventures.

Community Partner

The Swiss global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research and innovation, and supporting international outreach and engagement.

Community Partner

CIN cultivates economic excellence through collaboration across diverse sectors and stakeholders nationally and internationally.

Flagship Partner

As official Swiss representation, the Embassy covers diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Flagship Partner

Specialized federal agency for national and international education, research and innovation policy.

Program Partner

Volition facilitates programs and advising to startups throughout Canada's ecosystem and in 5 countries.

Community Partner

Diversifying Western Canada's economy through entrepreneurship programs for Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Guest Investor

PERA fills the gap between the flow of capital to entrepreneurs and the business owners through equity or debt financing.

Guest Investor

Growth advisory and aquisitions to build, systematize and scale great growth startups or small & medium sized businesses.

Tech Prize Partner

Full-service digital strategy and software engineering including product development for startups, and DevOps for scaleups.

Community Partner

The Swisstech campaign spotlights the deeptech, state-of-the-art companies, and research excellence of the Swiss innovation ecosystem.

Program Partner

EPFL's Tech4Regeneration is a program accelerating high-tech startups contributing to the transition towards a regenerative economy.

Program Partner

The Swiss Film Club meets regularly to watch and discuss the best of contemporary Swiss cinema with online and in-person screenings.

Could your organization play a part?

PARTNER WITH US

COORDINATORS

TAMARA SHTANOVA

Science & Technology Officer - Consulate General of Switzerland

SCOTT MALLORY, JR.

Founder, Director - ISM Arts & Culture