Start-up for Founders: UZH among the best in Europe
According to the study “Entrepreneurial Impact of Academic Institutions” by the Technical University of Munich, ETH Zurich, and the University of Innsbruck are four of the ten top universities in the DACH region located in Switzerland. These include the University of Zurich, where 461 start-ups were founded between 2014 and 2024.
The study quantifies the entrepreneurial impact of universities not only on licenses and patents, but also on degrees and career paths of founders. This puts the focus on alumni and their contribution to UZH’s innovative strength.
«The place where it all began»
Many founders cite the University of Zurich as the decisive starting point for their entrepreneurial journey. This is where they acquired the knowledge needed for their business ideas, met co-founders, or received the decisive inspiration to make a difference in society.
UZH-Alumna Patrizia Laeri, co-founder and CEO of the fintech platform ellexx, describes the importance of UZH for her as follows: “UZH was an excellent educational institution for me. The best pioneers in behavioral economics opened up a new perspective on markets, stock exchanges, and the economy for me. I was motivated to create change – and ultimately to start my own business.”
Diversity as a driver of innovation
The study also analyzes how many startups have received funding – an indication of the attractiveness of business ideas in the market. With a rate of 54 percent, UZH ranks sixth among the top 25 universities.
UZH startups are particularly well represented in the fields of health (66), fintech (48), and enterprise software (30). The diversity of university research is thus directly reflected in its startup landscape.
“We translate scientific findings from academic research into innovative products that are suitable for everyday use,” says Dr. Teresa Cramer, co-founder of FoodFor, describing the transfer from science to practice. They gain a significant competitive edge in the market as a result: “The interplay between research and application makes us unique.”
An ecosystem that nurtures ideas
Through the services provided by the UZH Innovation Hub, such as the awarding of UZH Startup Labels and specific support programs, the University of Zurich is creating an ecosystem that allows ideas to grow and supports founders – from the initial idea to market entry.
Additional Information
Anna-Julia Lingg, UZH Alumni | Jeannette Bours, UZH Innovation Hub