Space & Innovation
On May 6, 2026, the “Spatial & Innovation” event will take place in Neuchâtel, at the heart of the Microcity ecosystem. This event aims to bring together Swiss SMEs in the space sector, against a backdrop marked by the rise of DeepTech technologies and growing concerns about industrial sovereignty.
The space sector: a new frontier for innovation that’s not so far removed from SMEs in French-speaking Switzerland.
Long reserved for large corporations, the space sector is now opening up to industrial and technology companies, particularly in Switzerland, where expertise in microtechnology, electronics, and data is finding new applications. This event is specifically designed to explore these opportunities and address practical questions: how to enter this ecosystem, what support is available, and how to transform industrial expertise into a space project.
The program highlights several key areas, balancing strategic vision with lessons learned:
- an overview of Switzerland's position in the space sector and the role of Space Exchange Switzerland
- an overview of European opportunities, particularly through the activities of ESDI or Phi-Lab with Jennifer Wadsworth
- a real-life account from an SME and a startup pitch illustrating the connections between traditional industry and the space sector,
- a presentation on technologies resulting from industrial technology transfer (LiDAR, atomic clocks, photovoltaics, microgravity) with Eleonore Poli, Business Developer for Space & Aeronautics at CSEM
Beyond the presentations, the event places a strong emphasis on direct interaction among participants, experts, and key players in the ecosystem. For SMEs in French-speaking Switzerland, it offers a strategic opportunity to explore new high-value-added markets, identify funding sources, and forge ties with key partners. In a context where the boundaries between industries are being redrawn, the space sector emerges as a concrete driver of diversification and innovation for regional companies.
