16. May 2011

Aargovian Network Platform supports industrial companies

New, innovative products demand more and more complex innovation processes, which is increasingly challenging for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Innovation is the result of cost-intensive research and often cannot be performed by SMEs themselves. Thus, a competent partner who performs the research can contribute significantly to strengthening the innovative power of companies. But how to find a competent research partner quickly, or perhaps even the technology needed?

The Aargovian Network of Technology Transfer Offices offers exactly this service.

The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz Hochschule für Technik (FHNW) have Technology Transfer Offices which offer support and advice for companies on all questions related to technology transfer. They also work in close collaboration with the Aargauische Industrie- und Handelskammer (FITT), the Technopark Aargau and the Marketing Office of the Canton Aargau, Aargau Services.

In a long-standing and established partnership, the Aargovian Network platform has successfully transferred new technologies from research centres to industrial companies. The Technology Transfer Offices set up competent technology partnerships between businesses and research centres. The Technopark encourages and supports start-up companies and offers facilities operated by industry for use in research and development projects. Aargau Services Marketing supports companies already located in Canton Aargau, or those which intend to move to the canton, and arranges contact with the authorities, research institutes, banks and insurance companies. This contact office advises start-up companies regarding company formation procedures and identifies promotion possibilities. The networking of the various competencies of the Technology Transfer Offices offers businesses valuable support and the best possible assistance for innovation.

The partners of the Network Platform will have a joint stand at the Swiss NanoConvention (www.swissnanoconvention.ch) on the 18th and 19th of May, at the Kultur- and Kongresszentrum TRAFO in Baden. At the Swiss NanoConvention, interested businesses will have the opportunity of obtaining information about the latest research results in the area of nanotechnology and its potential industrial applications, as well as the opportunities available for technology transfer.

Technology transfer provides small and medium-sized companies with access to the latest technologies and research results and, consequently, the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage and to generate added-value for their products. HeiQ Materials AG, located in Bad Zurzach, has reaped the benefits of technology transfer and will be present at the stand at the Swiss NanoConvention. HeiQ Materials AG developed, in collaboration with PSI and FHNW, materials with novel properties and has successfully marketed them.