Canton Zurich SME Program

AI Program for SME in the Canton of Zurich

The Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich collaborates with the Swiss Data Science Center (SDSC) to strengthen the Canton’s innovation ecosystem by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. To streamline AI adoption and foster collaborative innovation at this key stakeholder group, the SDSC has developed a three-step strategy designed to bridge theory and practice, actively engaging multiple SMEs across the Canton.

In September 2025, 12 companies were selected as the first cohort to begin the 3-step program. Explore below on this page which companies are participating.

BENEFITS

Benefits for SMEs

The program allows you to test your innovative AI concepts under expert supervision, without taking financial and operational risk. All benefits are listed below:

Low-Risk Experimentation

Through guided prototyping, test AI solutions without upfront investment or risk.

Expert Feedback & Support

Obtain hands-on support and feedback from multidisciplinary expert teams to further refine your ideas.

Scalable Innovation

Promising prototypes are further developed into pilot projects integrated into your industry context.

Collaborative Network

Connect with peers and experts to jointly address the challenges and develop solutions.

Tailored AI Learning

Gain an understanding of AI technologies that translate into practical applications relevant to your business.

Strategic Positioning

Enhance your innovation profile and readiness for AI-driven solutions.

Participation

How to participate in the program



SME Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the program, companies should meet the following criteria:

Location: Applicants must be headquartered or have significant operations in the Canton of Zurich.
Company Size: must fall within a typical size range for an SME.
AI Readiness: Demonstrated interest and capability in exploring or adopting AI technologies.
Resource Commitment: Willingness to dedicate internal staff to participate in workshops, hackathons, and follow-up activities.
Innovation Potential: Clear motivation to address a business challenge or opportunity through AI, with potential for scalable impact.
Collaboration Willingness: Openness to engage in knowledge exchange and co-development with other SMEs and researchers.



Terms of Participation

Participation in this SME program is free of charge.
Framework workshops and presentations will be delivered in English and German.
Participating SMEs should expect to engage in 3–5 in-person workshops between October 2025 and April 2026.
By registering, the SME agrees to potentially share its success story for communication purposes.
All information exchange will be conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Information

AI Innovation Program kicks off with first SME Roundtable

‍

Following a thorough evaluation of numerous high-caliber applications, the following companies have been selected to form the first SME Roundtable on AI Innovation in the Canton of Zurich:

● Bachmann Krawatten AG

● Cisra

● DATABIOMIX

● Econetta AG

● GoNina

● LanguageMasters GmbH

● Microdul AG

● SOORT AG

● StratoServ Sciences AG

● Swiss Safety Center AG

● Vonlanthen INSIGHT

Alongside the selected SMEs, the committee has made an exceptional decision to welcome Planzer Transport AG into the SME Roundtable as an anchor company for knowledge transfer. Although not an SME, Planzer shares cultural and operational characteristics with SMEs and faces similar challenges in adopting AI. Their participation will provide valuable insights and foster shared learning within the SME cohort.

Over the coming months, these selected SMEs will engage directly with leading experts and resources to:

● Develop and validate innovative AI concepts.

● Receive bespoke guidance and technical support.

● Translate promising prototypes into viable pilot projects.

● Foster a collaborative ecosystem for knowledge exchange.

‍

This initiative underscores the commitment of the Division of Business and Economic Development at the Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich and the Swiss Data Science Center (SDSC) to foster a vibrant innovation landscape within the Canton of Zurich, bridging cutting-edge research and practical business application.

We warmly congratulate the selected companies and look forward to the impactful advancements that will emerge from this collaboration.

‍

Important Dates

‍

August 25th, 2025: Survey submission deadline
September 22nd, 2025: Announcement of SME Roundtable cohort.
October, 2025 - March, 2026: Roundtable collaboration towards AI prototype development.
April - June, 2026: Transitioning AI prototypes to pilot projects.

‍

For more information, please contact Dr. Anna Fournier, anna.fournier@sdsc.ethz.ch