The entrepreneurial ecosystem at ETH is being significantly extended with the aid of UBS. The university will receive up to 40 million Swiss francs from the major bank for this. The two partners announced in identical press releases that the new strategic partnership will strengthen the next generation of entrepreneurs.
UBS will invest up to 20 million Swiss francs in two initiatives over the next ten years: Firstly, the existing startup support at ETH will be supplemented with a series of events. These will help students and young entrepreneurs to learn more about finances, business plans, and management through exchanges with experienced business leaders. Secondly, ETH and UBS hope to generate enthusiasm in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects among students throughout elementary, middle, and high school.
Furthermore, UBS is investing in a new building on ETH’s Hönggerberg campus with a donation of up to 20 million Swiss francs. The building will serve as the new home not only of the ETH Students’ Association (VSETH) but also of the Student Project House. This is a creative “space for thought and makerspace” where students from all fields will be able to implement their own project ideas.
Almost 500 successful companies have been established as spin-offs from ETH since 1996. ETH Zurich President Joël Mesot comments: “By combining our expertise in teaching and research with the well-established economical know-how and networking capabilities of UBS, we can advance Switzerland as a business location.” Sabine Keller-Busse, President UBS Switzerland, adds: “We are looking forward to working together with ETH and firmly believe that our joint efforts will achieve a great deal.”
