Initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation seri

Consulate of Switzerlandswissnex Network with outposts in Bangalore, Boston, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore

2013

bost

on

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

2

3

4

6

8

9

9

10

12

13

14

16

2

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 MoesnerDirector, Consulswissnex Boston | Consulate of Switzerland

foreword

swissnex boston 2013 annual report ∙ 3

EVENTS

DIGITAL + SOCIAL STATISTICS

A YEAR IN REVIEW: 2013

WEBSITE VIEWS

1 2 3

5 6 7

9 10 11 12

14 15

visitors + delegations

16

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 ∙ 5

8

4

13

17

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!

6

events

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.

“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

1

5

7

swissnex boston 2013 annual report ∙ 7

“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.”

- Mark Kiefer, Principal at Mark Kiefer Consulting

“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.”

- Miro Käch, ETH Zurich student & Skye Team member

“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

“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

2

3 4

6

8

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

8

planetsolar deepwater expedition

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.

1 2 3

5 6

12

#solarboat captain explains how PVs powered the trip, and why #Boston's #innovationdistrict was natural stop

The world’s largest solar-powered boat, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, stopped in Boston this past weekend

@BostonGlobe

@GreenovateBos

9

9

7

10

8

4

11

13

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.

@MassCEC & @MarcRPacheco share clean energy, building “green bridge” between Bay State & Europ w @swissnexBoston

Great meeting w/ @swissnexBoston & State Council of Geneva-discussing zoning & planning in a university community

Merci et #FF @swissnexBoston et @OPIGeneva pour l’organisation de notre mission économique à Boston!

@Maryalice_Gill

@EdithPage

@HenriettaDavis

14

24 heures

fox news

boston.com

wbur

nzz

the boston globe

rts

bu today

oceans at mit

bostinno

cbs news

swissinfo.ch

mit tech review

venturefizz

wbz radio

the improper bostonian

10

partners & sponsors

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:

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:

digital content + media

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

Canton De Vaud

CTI

EPFL

ETHZ

Guardian Angels

SwissRe

For a complete list of the 2013 partners visit: swissnexboston.org/about-us/partners-mandates-2013

partners

Pro Helvetia

City Of Cambridge

Presence Switzerland

VentureLab

Cambridge Innovation Center

MassChallenge

Northeastern University

sponsors

Lindt

Nespresso

Swissbäkers

Commerce

Boston University

STS forum

Creative Center Neuchatel Harvard

School of Public Health

MIT Media Lab

Swiss American Chamber of

University Of Zurich

HEC-UNIL

University Of Geneva

ZHAW

ETH Domain

University of Basel

Swiss International Airlines

Mobatime

Hublot

swissnex boston 2013 annual report ∙ 11

finance

New #Funding Instruments for #Startups Through Horizon 2020 @startuptickerCH #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/r00ff

Google Faculty Research Award for the University of Fribourg @unifr #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/ppb0V

White and Brown Fat Cells Conversion to Treat #Obesity @ETH #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/l0H3F

Smartphone #Apps Replace Loyalty Cards #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/pdD2o

Critical Protein for Insulin Secretion Discovered @unibern #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/m2PFT

Linking Quantum Physics and Game Theory http://ow.ly/ojOTO #ScienceSwitzerland

#Startup Developed Successful #Tortilla Machine @venturelab_ch #ventureleaders #ScienceSwitzerland http://ow.ly/l0HH9

science newsletters

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

seri operating:

seri proJects:

third party contributions:

TOTAL:

$567,843

$189,474

$1,365,530

$2,131,847

cash: in-Kind non proJect: in-Kind proJect:

$562,056$284,527$518,947

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 start-ups. 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!

new yorK outpost

pierre dorsaz, senior project leader - new york outpost

E: NYOutpost@swissnexboston.orgT: +1 646 797 6451www. ny.swissnexboston.org

swissnex boston 2013 annual report ∙ 15

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.chT: +1 202-745-7954www.swissemb.org

swissnex

science of�ce

san franciscoboston

ottawa

washington d.c.

rio de janiero

brazilia

santiago

bangaloresingapore

shanghai

london

paris

madrid

berlin

brussels

moscow

romevienna

new delhi

beijing seoul

toyko

canberrapretoria

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!

networK + people

swissnex boston 2013 annual report ∙ 15

fm dr felix moesner, director - consul. thinKs nantucKet is wicKed awesome. ar andreas rufer, proJect leader, arts & culture - deputy consul. loves to salsa. pd pierre dorsaz, senior 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 & 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 5K 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!

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.

sg vg am cm Jo dp pq rr

cs lo ug aa sK dm fp

zh bh sh sK Js ps tz

zh zeina haKim - 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.

azfm ar pd ni lb

fl st cr ro Jb

mK

so eg am

sh

ff Js pp Jc

al

eb

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

18

outlooK

swissnex Boston420 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA t. +1 617 876-3076 f. +1 617 876-3079 www.swissnexBoston.org