FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUSTIN, Texas — Switzerland is the 7th largest foreign investor in the U.S., with more than 80 Swiss companies operating in Texas, an economic bridge strengthened by innovation, talent, and advanced industries. The Austin region plays a growing role in this partnership, with longstanding connections across sciences, education, and emerging technologies.
Building on this foundation, Switzerland Innovation and Opportunity Austin have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster strategic collaboration in high-potential sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, semiconductors, and space technology.
“Building international relationships like this one with Switzerland Innovation is how we keep Austin competitive,” Ed Latson, CEO of Opportunity Austin, said. “When we connect our region to global partners, we expand the reach of Austin companies and attract investment that fuels long-term economic growth. These relationships create new opportunities for innovation, strengthen our workforce pipeline and reinforce the Austin region as a destination for any company throughout the world.”
This partnership underscores the momentum between our regions, reinforcing the shared commitment to advancing innovation across strategic industries. In a time of global transition, this partnership signals that international collaboration remains essential to economic growth and opportunity.
“This MOU marks a pivotal moment for the Switzerland Innovation Parks network ’s engagement with the dynamic Austin innovation ecosystem,” said Thomas Gfeller, CEO of Switzerland Innovation Foundation. “By aligning our capabilities in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, semiconductors, and space technology with Austin’s strengths, we’re laying the groundwork for pilot programs, R&D collaboration, and scalable international innovation.”
Future joint initiatives will focus on high-impact collaborations in the key sectors identified, including joint R&D projects, exchange of expertise, and facilitating soft-landing support for companies entering each other’s markets.
Opportunity Austin and Switzerland Innovation marked a new chapter in international collaboration on Sept. 11 at Capital Factory with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations. The gathering brought together Swiss companies, Capital Factory startups and Opportunity Austin investors to strengthen international relationships and spark cross-border business opportunities.
About Opportunity Austin
Opportunity Austin is the regional economic partnership fostering innovation, investment, workforce development, and livability across the Austin region. Harnessing the region’s unrivaled economic momentum, its mission is to be a force multiplier for businesses that share the drive for enduring prosperity. Ultimately, the organization improves the strength, power, and performance of our region and those who do business within it.
About Switzerland Innovation
Switzerland Innovation is a network of six innovation parks at a total of 16 sites across Switzerland based on a joint initiative between public institutions, academia and the private sector with a statutory mandate from the Swiss Federal Council. Switzerland Innovation
forms an ecosystem that allows universities and innovative companies to collaborate and use their knowledge and research results for the development of new, marketable products and services. www.switzerland-innovation.com
