On October 3, Dr. Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation represented Switzerland at the 17th S&T Ministers’ Roundtable organized by the Government of Japan. The meeting took place on the occasion of the Science and Technology for Society Forum (STS forum) which was held online this year.
On October 5, Japan’s NEC Corp. announced that it will purchase Swiss financial solutions provider Avaloq Group AG for CHF 2.05 billion (USD 2.25 billion), making it the biggest acquisition ever for NEC.
Cutis, Wingtra and Piavita were selected Switzerland’s most innovative and promising startup in 2020. The three young companies received the Top 100 Swiss Startup Award 2020 at the 10th edition of the Swiss Startup Award in Zürich on September 9, 2020.
Drone developer Wingtra was awarded for its outstanding “WingtraOne”, a fully autonomous mapping drone which can be used in inaccessible areas–and without any piloting skills. Its vertical take-off and landing feature allows the unmanned aerial vehicle to leave and return to any kind of terrain, and also to avoid belly landings.
The “Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley” was presented to approximately 130 participants mainly from Japanese companies responsible for open innovation. The webinar, with a subtitle, “exploring possibilities for collaboration in the field of food and nutrition" was held on July 21st.
Switzerland is currently accepting proposals for Bridging Grants with Japan. The call is aimed at building on existing collaboration between Japanese and Swiss researchers. Not only joint research projects but also past workshops or seminars that have been jointly organized would qualify. It is open to all scientific disciplines and fields of research. Selected proposals will receive up to CHF 25’000 for a maximum duration of 12 months. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2020 (CET).