boston
2013 Initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation seri Consulate of Switzerland swissnex Network with outposts in Bangalore, Boston, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore
Table of Contents Foreword Year in Review Visitors + Delegations Events PlanetSolar DeepWater in Boston Partners + Sponsors Media + #ScienceSwitzerland Finance New York Outpost Washington, D.C. Network + People Outlook
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foreword
AS THE WORLD’S FIRST SCIENCE CONSULATE, swissnex Boston takes networking to heart. This year, eighty events attracted over fifteen-thousand people; more than one hundred partnerships and two hundred speakers dedicated time and resources; ten staff members, eleven interns and eighteen sabbaticals curated content. All of these elements make up the network we depend on to promote Switzerland as a nation of thoughtleaders, forward thinkers and innovators. Through dynamic programs, like the PlanetSolar DeepWater Expedition on page eight, we strive to deliver Switzerland’s best and brightest, creating a community that our stakeholders are eager to engage with. Venturing into our 14th year at swissnex Boston, we are looking forward to extending our reach (see page twelve and thirteen) and continuing to build bridges between Switzerland and North America. For now, we leave you with a summary our 2013 activities and invite you to discover what swissnex Boston can do for you. Sincerely,
Dr. Felix Moesner Director, Consul swissnex Boston | Consulate of Switzerland
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EVENTS
A YEAR IN REVIEW: 2013
DIGITAL + SOCIAL STATISTICS
WEBSITE VIEWS
swissnex boston 2013 annual report
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visitors
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OVER FOUR HUNDRED VISITORS passed through swissnex Boston’s doors in 2013. Whether it was to discuss university collaborations, embark on a fact-finding mission throughout the Greater Boston Area or get to know the current swissnex Boston team members, every person we connected with left a lasting impact on our work! To the left is a sampling of the dynamic people that graced us with their presence throughout the year. 1. ETH Zurich President Ralph Eichler with MIT President L. Rafael Reif. 2. Dr. and Mrs. Pierre Weiss with swissnex Boston team members. 3. Dr. Barbara Haering, European Research and Innovation Area Board member, and Prof. Alexander Zehnder, former President ETH Board. 4. MA Senator Marc R. Pacheco with ETH Head of Research Dr. Roland Yves Siegwart. 5. Svetlana Kauzoniene, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Education and Science, and delegation with swissnex Boston team members. 6. University of Geneva Rector Prof Jean-Dominique Vassalli, PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition leader Prof Martin Beniston and PlanetSolar Captain Gérard d’Aboville. 7. University of Basel and Basel Area delegation, including Rector Antonio Loprieno, State Councillor Eva Herzog. 8. Cynthia and Patrick Odier after a visit with swissnex Boston team members. 9. MBA Fribourg group and Prof Rico Baldegger on the last day of their Boston visit. 10. swissnex Boston Advisory Board Members with Claudia Fritsche, Ambassador of Liechtenstein, Patrick Ballmer, Chairman, Boston Chapter of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. 11. University of St. Gallen Rector Prof Thomas Bieger (left) with swissnex team members. 12. Marianne Zünd, Head of Communications at SFOE, with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Director Dr Susan K. Avery. 13. Prof Konrad Osterwalder, former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations, Rector Emeritus of the United Nations University (UNU) and Rector Emeritus of the ETH Zurich, at an swissnex Boston and the ETH Alumni New England Chapter event. 14. Swiss American Chamber of Commerce CEO Martin Naville, Giorgio Pompilio, Presence Switzerland; David Best, Swiss Embassy in Washington DC, with the swissnex Boston team. 15. Koji Omi, Chairman STS forum and former Science + Finance Minister of Japan, with Rita Colwell, former NSF Director. 16. Michael Breu, Editor, Swiss TV & Radio, and Adrian Ionescu, Co-Chair, Guardian Angels Initiative. 17. swissnex Boston’s Felix Moesner and Andreas Rufer with Swiss photographer Jöel Tettamanti at the opening of his MIT Museum show, Compass Points. swissnex boston 2013 annual report
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events
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OVER EIGHTY EVENTS WITH TWO HUNDRED SPEAKERS AND FIFTY THOUSAND ATTENDEES made 2013 one of the best years to date. From flying spherical blimps and intensive startup programs to alumni network launches and EU FET Flagship candidate events, the swissnex Boston network experienced a wide variety of events. To the right is a sampling of our 2013 activites. For more event recaps, visit yourswissnexboston.org! 1. Guests listened to Dr. Utkan Demirci (Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital) present at Smart Systems in a Changing Society, the first of four swissnex Boston seminars with the Guardian Angels Initiative. 2. The four finalists of the 2013 Global Pitchfest present one last time. The 13th edition of the venture leaders program, organized by venturelab and swissnex Boston, brought 20 Swiss startups to the Boston-Cambridge community for ten days of intensive business development training. 3. Opening night of Swiss Style Reboot at Northeastern University’s Gallery 360. The exhibit showcased classic and modern works, which utilize the priniciples of Swiss graphic design. 4. swissnex Boston sabbatical Damian Nussbaumer, Civil Aviation Safety Officer at the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), networks with guests at the Swiss Space & Aviation event. 5. Masters students from EPFL present their project, Taxi.Coli: smart drug delivery, at the an event, which featured finalists at the MIT iGEM competition. 6. Members of the University of Zurich & Friends board pose for a picture at the first meeting of the newly established alumni chapter. The UZH & Friends network became the fifth Swiss alumni network in the swissnex Boston community. 7. Harvard Public School of Health (HSPH) Professor Joseph Brain presents at the HSPH + SwissRe conference, Impact of cardiovascular risk factors on healthy lifespan and mortality in Brazil and Mexico. 8. The Skye omnidirectional blimp hovers above attendees at the 2013 Cambridge Science Festival. The Skye Team, made up of Masters students from ETH Zurich, spent one week in Boston exploring the innovation ecosystem. 6
“I enjoyed meeting interesting members of the technical community, and hearing what various people are doing. The formally presented material and one-on-one conversations were very helpful.” - Michael Wehner, Postdoc at Harvard Microbiotics Lab
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“venture leaders helped me develop new insight about the challenges of entrepreneurship. Discussing with experienced entrepreneurs and with the other team members significantly widened my horizons and gave me plenty of new ideas.” - Lorenzo Keller, CEO at Shoelace Wireless & a 2013 venture leader
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“The event provided an excellent primer on the Swiss Space and Aviation industries that I can't imagine seeing anywhere else. As an aviation and aerospace consultant the presentations were highly relevant to my profession, and it was especially enjoyable to hear them in such a collegial and pleasant atmosphere, away from the busyness and formality of industry conferences.”
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- Mark Kiefer, Principal at Mark Kiefer Consulting
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“Hearing the ETH and EPFL students present was most impressive. Not only was their science fascinating, but their presentation in English was excellent. We can be very proud of our young scientists.” - Renata von Tscharner, President/Founder of Charles River Conservancy & ETH Alumni NEC Board Member
6 “A performance like the one at the Cambridge Science Festival would not have been possible without the great organization by swissnex. The whole team enjoyed the week in Boston and the perfect mixture of attended events. The Venture Café was a great opportunity for us to present our project to other people who are in a similar situation as we are. The new ideas from the Q&A at MIT may inspire us for developments on Skye.”
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- Miro Käch, ETH Zurich student & Skye Team member swissnex boston 2013 annual report
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planetsolar deepwater expedition
THE WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR POWERED BOAT, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, docked at Boston’s Fan Pier in June 2013 as part of the University of Geneva (UNIGE) climate change research project, PlanetSolar DeepWater. During the stay, the PlanetSolar was a platform for many academic, industry and public events. In addition to the solar vessel, swissnex Boston welcomed the UNIGE, Lake Geneva Region (LGR), OPI and the Geneva State Secretariat for a three-day long delegation visit. The group toured local incubators, discussed city planning with state and city officials and joined in on the PlanetSolar DeepWater activities. To the right is a sampling of the solar week. For more details please visit: swissnexboston.org/planetsolar 1. The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar docks at Boston’s Fan Pier. 2. The SolarWalk educated Fan Pier guests about Boston and Swiss solar facts. 3. City of Boston’s Brian Swett gives PlanetSolar Captain Gérard d’Aboville a history of the Boston Innovation District. 4. swissnex Boston team members take in the sights from the solar deck of the PlanetSolar. 5. Boston Children’s Museum visitors at the Make Your Own Solar Boat workshop. 6. UNIGE Prof Martin Beniston presents DeepWater at the Museum of Science, Boston. 7. UNIGE’s Anne Laufer and PlanetSolar’s Vincent Brunet enjoy the Swiss Solar event. 8. Members of the LGR and UNIGE delegation enjoy the solar deck views of Boston. 9. LGR delegation and MA Senator Pacheco discuss clean energy.
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@GreenovateBos #solarboat captain explains how PVs powered the trip, and why #Boston's #innovationdistrict was natural stop
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@BostonGlobe The world’s largest solar-powered boat, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, stopped in Boston this past weekend 8
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@HenriettaDavis Great meeting w/ @swissnexBoston & State Council of Genevadiscussing zoning & planning in a university community
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@Maryalice_Gill @MassCEC & @MarcRPacheco share clean energy, building “green bridge” between Bay State & Europ w @swissnexBoston
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Merci et #FF @swissnexBoston et @OPIGeneva pour l’organisation de notre mission économique à Boston!
10. Captain d’Aboville welcomes journalists to the Media Event. 11. Guests of the Swiss Cleantech Night ventured down to PlanetSolar. 12. UNIGE Prof Beniston presents DeepWater at the Alps to Atlantic conference with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. 13. Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis with Charles Beer and Ivana Vrbica. 14. From left to right: Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences President Thierry Courvoisier; MA Senator Lee; Charles Beer; Ivana Vrbica; UNIGE Rector Jean-Dominique Vassalli; UNIGE Anne Laufer; and swissnex Boston Director Dr. Felix Moesner. 9
partners & sponsors
OVER ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE, COMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONS contributed to the 2013 swissnex Boston landscape. Whether they were executing a day-long symposium, donating event space for an art exhibit or connecting us to a new community for target workshops, every partner collaborated with us in promoting Switzerland as an innovative country.
mandates
partners Pro Helvetia
STS forum
City Of Cambridge
Creative Center Neuchatel Harvard
Presence Switzerland
School of Public Health
VentureLab
MIT Media Lab
Cambridge Innovation Center
Swiss American Chamber of Commerce
MassChallenge
Boston University
Canton De Vaud
University Of Zurich
CTI
HEC-UNIL
EPFL
University Of Geneva
sponsors
ETHZ
ZHAW
Lindt
Swiss International Airlines
Guardian Angels
ETH Domain
Nespresso
Mobatime
SwissRe
University of Basel
Swissb채kers
Hublot
Northeastern University
For a complete list of the 2013 partners visit: swissnexboston.org/about-us/partners-mandates-2013
digital content
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UP 80% IN ENGAGEMENT ACROSS TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM combined, swissnex Boston amped up digital activities throughout 2013. With high profile projects - like Swiss Style Reboot, PlanetSolar DeepWater Expedition and 2013 venture leaders - swissnex Boston benefitted from dynamic content placed in online and print platforms. Notable 2013 media mentions include:
24 heures
oceans at mit
fox news
bostinno
boston.com
cbs news
wbur
swissinfo.ch
nzz
mit tech review
the boston globe
venturefizz
rts
wbz radio
bu today
the improper bostonian
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18 EDITIONS WITH 2,145 ARTICLES informed readers on the latest science developments, technology trends and innovative researchers. In May 2013, @swissnexboston began spreading the newsletter content with the hashtag #ScienceSwitzerland. A positive response over the past 8 months has generated:
finance
SERI OPERATING:
$567,843
SERI PROJECTS:
$189,474
THIRD PARTY CONTRIBUTIONS:
$1,365,530
TOTAL:
$2,131,847
CASH: IN-KIND NON PROJECT: IN-KIND PROJECT:
$562,056 $284,527 $518,947
science newsletters
New #Funding Instruments for #Startups Through Horizon 2020 @ startuptickerCH #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/r00ff
Smartphone #Apps Replace Loyalty Cards #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/pdD2o
Linking Quantum Physics and Game Theory http://ow.ly/ojOTO #ScienceSwitzerland
Google Faculty Research Award for the University of Fribourg @unifr #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/ppb0V
Critical Protein for Insulin Secretion Discovered @unibern #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/m2PFT
#Startup Developed Successful #Tortilla Machine @venturelab_ch #ventureleaders #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/l0HH9
White and Brown Fat Cells Conversion to Treat #Obesity @ETH #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/l0H3F
top 7 #scienceswitzerland tweets of 2013 Follow us @swissnexBoston and search the #ScienceSwitzerland! Sign up for the newsletter by with the QR code or visit: swissinnovation.org/Science-Switzerland Funded by SERI, Presence Suisse, CTI, ETH Rat and SFOE swissnex boston 2013 annual report
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new york outpost
SWISNEX BOSTON’S NEW YORK OUTPOST opened in August 2013 with support from ETH Domain and Switzerland’s Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI). Founded by swissnex Boston Director Felix Moesner, the New York Outpost aims to accelerate the exchange of knowledge between Switzerland and New York’s fast growing innovation economy. Leveraging the expertise gained in the Boston area, and resting on a dense network of local connections, the platform acts as entry point to the vibrant ecosystem of the Silicon Alley for Swiss Universities and startups. Additionally, the New York Outpost runs the activities of the local CTI Market Entry Camp. Under the management of swissnex Boston, the New York Outpost is run by Pierre Dorsaz. With 4 years of swissnex experience under his belt, Pierre is looking forward to strengthening the Swiss-New York connection. Want to join our New York network? Contact Pierre today to learn more about collaborating with the New York Outpost! pierre dorsaz, senior project leader
E: NYOutpost@swissnexboston.org T: +1 646 797 6451 www. ny.swissnexboston.org
- new york outpost
washington, d.c.
THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER EDUCATION (OSTHE) at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C. was Switzerland’s first science outpost and has been in operation since 1958. The OSTHE aims to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and higher education between Switzerland and the United States. It provides background and analysis to support fact-based policy decisions in Switzerland. The OSTHE showcases Switzerland as a hub for excellent higher education and research and promotes the exchange of ideas with science policy-makers and scientists. Administratively linked to Ambassador Manuel Sager and swissnex Boston Director Felix Moesner, the OSTHE is run by Andreas Ledergerber. He joined the Embassy in September 2013. Before that, he was employed at ETH Zurich since 2006 as a senior advisor in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Corporate Relations. Want to learn more about the Swiss community in Washington, D.C.? Connect with Andy and visit their website for more info! andreas ledergerber, science & technology officer
E: Andreas.Ledergerber@eda.admin.ch T: +1 202-745-7954 www.swissemb.org
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network
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TEN STAFF MEMBERS, ELEVEN INTERNS AND ASSISTANTS AND EIGHTEEN SABBATICALS kept swissnex Boston’s 2013 events and activities well-oiled and engaging. Like 2012, we saw many faces come and go, but each leaving a lasting impact at swissnex Boston. In addition to our four dynamic sabbaticals, we also signed an agreement with ZHAW in 2013, which brought numerous mini-sabbaticals to Boston for 1-2 weeks at a time. Last but definitely not least, no swissnex year would be successful without our volunteer advisory board members’ dedication and sound advice. We cannot thank them enough for their support! Want to spend time at swissnex Boston while on sabbatical? Email Felix Moesner at felix@swissnexboston.org for information!
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beijing seoul rome
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swissnex science office
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project leader, new york outpost. the swissnex dot in silicon alley. az alexandra zingg, phd, project leader, university affairs. pleasure crafts certified. ni niccolo iorno, project leader, innovation & entrepreneurship. has a shark in a jar. sh* sebastian hug, project leader, higher education. wants to be captain of planet solar. al andreas ledergerber, science
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& technology officer embassy of switzerland washington d c uncomplaining fan of dc public transport system lb lia breunig communications manager boston university water
polo coach. so sophie sithamma, operations manager. rubiks cube ninja. eg elizabeth galvin, event coordinator. ran four 5 k races in 2013 . am andrea moeller, project leader, watt d’or. collects us state quarters. fl* florian lancelle, jr project manager, hec lausanne. had a shower in his living room. st* sabina tresch, jr project manager, uni basel. slacklining queen. cr* claudia rueegger, jr project manager, uni zurich. best laugh. ro* raphael ochsenbein, jr project manager, uni zurich. loves ketchup on white rice. ff* felicitas flohr, jr project manager, eth zurich. swissnex iron chef. jb* johan boissard, jr project manager, epfl. road trip fanatic. mk* mark kuzmanic, jr project manager, unil. bolognese master. js* julia stadler, jr project manager, guardian angels. fashionista. pp peter page, jr project manager, epfl. a big bob marley fan. jc jane chung, assistant communications manager. creative whiz. eb elias blum, jr project manager, uni zurich. stayed on swiss time entire internship. *has moved on, but is greatly missed!
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- associate prof. of french, tufts university. bh bettina hein. ceo - pixibility inc. sh steven hoch - partner, highmount capital llp. sk susan kish - head cross platforms initiative, bloomberg lp. js jerry schaufeld - prof. of management, wpi. ps paul smyke - senior director, n. america + special adviser to the chairman, world economic forum usa . tz thomas zeltner - president of science et cité. zh zeina hakim
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sg sarah genner, zhaw. vg vania guerra, zhaw. am anna-lena majkovic, zhaw. um ursula meidert, zhaw. (not pictured) cm christiane mentrup, zhaw. jo jakob ott, zhaw. dp diyana petrova, zhaw. pq peter qvist, zhaw. rr rolf rellstab, zhaw. cs christina schulze, zhaw. gu gisele ullmann, zhaw. (not pictured) lo lucie odier, guest. ug ursula graf, zhaw. aa adrien altenburger, amstein-walthert. sk sylvie kohli, unil. jk joos kuendig, guest. (not pictured) dn damian nussbaumer, detec. fp francesco panese, epfl, unil.
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outlook
Every year we strive to bring you the latest in Swiss science, education, art and innovation. For 2014 we have many new projects and old favorites in store! The Watt d’Or Exhibition and Swiss Energy Innovation Day will undoubtedly be one of the highlights in 2014. In close collaboration with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, over 30 Watt d’Or winning projects will be shown for the first time outside of Switzerland, creating a platform for discussion on the latest developments in energy innovation. Your favorite Swiss National Startup Team (the venture leaders) will be back in June with 20 new entrepreneurs excited to dive into the Boston and New York (a new addition for 2014) innovation ecosystems. Don’t miss them at the 2014 Global Pitchfest! At the crossroad of art and science, the Boston Game Pit exhibition will showcase cool games and interactive storytelling projects from Geneva. Additionally, our Cambridge Science Festival project will blow you away (come see it at the Cambridge Public Library on April 19, 2014). We look forward to building bridges between Switzerland and North America in 2014 and invite you to join us! Our doors are always open and coffee and chocolate always stocked! - The swissnex Boston Team Join us in 2014: www.swissnexBoston.org
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swissnex Boston 420 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA t. +1 617 876-3076 f. +1 617 876-3079 www.swissnexBoston.org