Innovation initiatives

A university spin-off is an enterprise established on the basis of research outcomes and intellectual property (IP) generated at the university, with the purpose of translating academic knowledge into commercial impact and public benefit. Some examples: 

• Humabs, a spin-off of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), now part of Vir Biotechnology;
• Fabula AI, a spin-off of the Institute of Computational Science (ICS), now part of Twitter; 
• BigOmics Analytics, a spin-off of the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR); 
• Algo4U, a spin-off of the Euler Institute (EUL)

Explore the full list on the Knowledge transfer success stories page.

In addition to basic research, researchers from all areas of the University also engage in studies and consulting at institutions, companies and other organisations. These activities also include Field Projects (projects carried out with the involvement of students) and regular collaborations with cultural institutions to value funds, collections and works for public benefit.

In the specific field of medical and biomedical research, USI also engages in so-called translational research, which aims to enable the timely transfer of research results "from the laboratory to the patient's bedside". Translational research is performed in the context of a network of collaborations with the Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, clinics and physicians.

Certain research centres at USI are more directly and systematically focused on application-oriented research, R&D, and/or implementation of analyses and recommendations for the benefit of regional economic entities and institutions:

• Centre for Computational Medicine in Cardiology (CCMC)
• China Media Observatory (CMO)
• CodeLounge
• European Journalism Observatory (EJO)
• Observatory for Economic Dynamics (O-De)
• Observatory for Public Finance and Energy (O-FPE)
• Spatial Development Observatory (OST-TI)
• Ticino Observatory on Organised Crime (O-TiCO)
• Tourism Observatory (O-Tur)

Switzerland Innovation is an ecosystem which, through competence centres created within so-called "innovation parks", enables the collaboration between businesses, startups and universities to share ideas, accelerate the transformation of research results into products and services and thus strengthen Switzerland's position as one of the most innovative countries in the world. The ecosystem is organised in six parks in Switzerland. Park Ticino is an associated entity of Park Zurich and USI is an academic partner of it. Find out more

The Swiss Drone Competence Center aims to explore, innovate and activate cutting-edge projects in the field of drones and their use through the development of research, technology, know-how and regulatory and commercial aspects. USI is one of the academic partners of the centre, which is part of the Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino. Find out more

USI is among the founding members of the Life Sciences Competence Center association. The Center aims to promote innovation and research in the biomedical field, the development of sustainable solutions and the creation of a network of collaborations between academic and industrial partners. Find out more

Locarno Media City is a coordination platform promoted by the City of Locarno, Locarno Film Festival, Palacinema Locarno, Swisscom and USI. It aims to strengthen existing collaborations within a framework initiative and share new projects and activities in the field of creative industry related to communication and the art of cinema and audiovisuals.

Lugano Living Lab (L*3) is an initiative by the City of Lugano to promote and enable digital and technological innovation. L*3 is committed to creating, testing, and developing digital and technological solutions, integrating research and development projects related to digital transformation to make Lugano an innovative city with a human face. USI is a partner of the project. Find out more

Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association is committed to fostering innovation and research, creating synergies between the public and private sectors, to raise awareness and development in all technologies related to blockchain and decentralised applications. USI is one of the partners of the platform. Find out more

The House of Sustainability is an outpost of USI in Airolo that aims to educate and raise awareness on the major sustainability challenges through a hands-on approach to test ideas and solutions. Find out more   

USI, representing also the USI-affiliated Istituto Ricerche solari Aldo e Cele Daccò (IRSOL), is among 9 institutions from 7 European countries that signed the deed of the Canarian Foundation for the European Solar Telescope (EST). Find out more

World-class research, a people-friendly environment that enables the exchange of ideas and an informal spirit, contribute to making USI a breeding ground for innovation with surprising perspectives. To promote the transformation of ideas and research results into innovation, the University offers support in technology and knowledge transfer, startup development and entrepreneurship training.

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