BEYOND THE CLUSTER

A Network Built on Shared Expertise

Toolpoint’s reach extends far beyond its membership. An extensive web of universities, strategic partners, institutions, and public authorities ensures that the right expertise is always within reach — for every project, challenge, and opportunity.
Toolpoint Network
OVERVIEW
Universities
Strategic Partners
Institutions & Organization
local Authorities

The Network

Connecting Industry, Academia & Public Institutions

Toolpoint has built an extensive network that includes the most important institutions, organisations, companies and local authorities across Switzerland and neighbouring regions. This enables Toolpoint to ensure that the most suitable partners are found for each project — whether technical, commercial, or strategic.

For technology projects, Toolpoint works closely with Innosuisse (Federal Agency for Innovation Promotion), EURESEARCH and relevant universities, as well as organisations such as SystemsX. We actively promote collaboration with academia, specialised institutes and funding organisations, turning connections into measurable outcomes for members.

Explore the network

Academic Network

Nine leading universities and research institutes drive knowledge and technology transfer into the cluster.

Strategic Partners

Experienced international partners providing exclusive value-added services and commercial opportunities for members

Institutions

Industry associations, innovation bodies, and public authorities creating a supportive regulatory and economic environment.

Regional Authorities

Cantonal and local economic development agencies supporting the growth and visibility of the Greater Zurich Area cluster.

ACADEMIC PARTNERS

Universities & Research Institutes

Toolpoint works closely with major Swiss universities and promotes joint projects with member firms. Knowledge and technology transfer is actively pursued, and graduates and students gain in-depth insights into individual industrial companies through internships and collaborative programmes.

ETH

ETH Zurich
 Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland

EPFL

EPFL — École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
 Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland

CSEM

CSEM — Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechnique Research & Technology Organization
Neuchâtel & Alpnach, Switzerland

FHNW

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
 University of Applied Sciences Muttenz, Switzerland

OST

OST — Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences
 University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland

EMPA

EMPA — Materials Science and Technology
 Federal Research Institute Dübendorf, Switzerland

UZH

University of Zurich Research university
Zurich, Switzerland

HSG

University of St. Gallen (HSG) Research University
St. Gallen, Switzerland

ZHAW

ZHAW School of Engineering University of Applied Sciences
Winterthur, Switzerland
Graduate students and interns are placed with member firms through Toolpoint’s career programme, giving young professionals hands-on industry experience and giving companies direct access to emerging talent. Learn more about career opportunities →
Explore Careers

Strategic Partners

Partners Who Add Value for Members

Toolpoint maintains active partnerships with experienced international companies. Members benefit from attractive special conditions, while partners gain access to joint projects with our member companies — a genuine win-win for both sides.

Strategic Partners

VZ Vermögenszentrum

Toolpoint gained an outstanding specialist partner in VZ Vermögenszentrum. VZ develops solutions to optimise the income, assets and tax situation of personal customers, and supports corporate customers with questions around occupational pension schemes (the 2nd pillar of the Swiss pension system).

Toolpoint members are eligible for a free initial consultation to learn more about retirement planning, with expert answers to key questions. Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity through our direct member contact.

Direct Contact for Toolpoint Members

 Philipp Hofstetter
 VZ Vermögenszentrum
+41 44 207 26 13
 philipp.hofstetter@vzch.com

Innovation Funding

Innosuisse

The Swiss Federal Innovation Agency (Innosuisse) supports science-based innovation in Switzerland. Toolpoint works closely with Innosuisse to connect members with funding opportunities for technology development projects.
Visit Innosuisse

European Research

Euresearch

Euresearch is Switzerland’s national contact point for European research and innovation programmes, including Horizon Europe. Toolpoint collaborates with Euresearch to help members access international funding frameworks and cross-border research collaboration.
Visit Euresearch

Institutions & Organisations

The Wider Ecosystem

The Toolpoint network comprises key institutions, organisations and local authorities with which Toolpoint exchanges experience or collaborates across a wide variety of areas — from industry representation to regional economic development.

TOOLPOINT NETWORK

Regular Information Exchange

NETWORK PHILOSOPHY

 Toolpoint promotes the establishment of companies in the lab science industry across all regions where members are already present. We are in active contact with regional and cantonal economic development agencies to ensure our cluster continues to grow.

Independent Toolpoint Initiative

SiLA — Standardisation in Lab Automation

Founded by Toolpoint in 2009, SiLA has grown into an independent international standardisation organisation with 30+ member companies across Switzerland, Germany, France, the UK, Greece, Finland, Austria, the US and Canada. SiLA’s standards address the lack of interoperability between laboratory automation systems — making integration faster, easier, and more reliable across the industry.

VISIT SILA

PUBLIC SUPPORT

Supported by Local Authorities & Cantons

Toolpoint promotes the establishment of companies in the lab science industry in all regions where there are already members. We maintain active relationships with various regional and cantonal economic development agencies, whose support has been instrumental in the growth of the cluster.

Toolpoint gratefully acknowledges the support of the following local authorities and cantons, whose commitment to innovation and economic development has helped make the Greater Zurich Area a globally recognised hub for laboratory science.

Canton of Zurich Canton of Graubünden Canton of St. Gallen

Canton of Schaffhausen Greater Zurich AreaAWA Zürich

GZA

The Greater Zurich Area Advantage

The Greater Zurich Area is home to more than 50% of global liquid handling market sales — an extraordinary concentration of expertise, manufacturing capability, and innovation culture. Cantonal authorities have consistently recognised and invested in the conditions that make this possible: strong universities, accessible infrastructure, and a culture of precision engineering.

Expand Your Network Through Toolpoint

Membership gives you direct access to every node of this network — from university research labs to cantonal economic development agencies.
EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP