The Export Award recognizes successful internationally active businesses that convince the jury with their expansion strategies, the transparency of their internationalization concept, and a consistent and successful implementation.
The Export Award 2023 will be conferred as part of the International Trade Forum, on April 26, 2023, at the Swisstech Convention Center, Lausanne.
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Application process
Participation in the Export Award is open to all Swiss SMEs with a turnover of at least 2 million and positive organic growth abroad/within Switzerland for at least 2 consecutive years.
Participation deadline January 15th, 2023.
Prize and advantages
Export Award Prize and Advantages
The award brings prestige to the winning company in the eyes of its customers and partners and motivates the entire workforce. Export Award candidates are also able to benefit from increased media attention.
Further advantages:
All applicants (with complete submitted application documents)
- 1 free ticket to the International Trade Forum
All finalists and the winner
- Free Gold Membership in Switzerland Global Enterprise for one year
- Export Services Vouchers for a new market launch worth 1 x CHF 5,000 (winner) and 2 x CHF 1,000 (finalists)*
- Trophy or certificate presented by the Chairwoman of Switzerland Global Enterprise, Ruth Metzler-Arnold
- 4 x free tickets for the International Trade Forum for your employees or customers
- Use of the “Export Award” label and communications tools (finalist films, press releases etc.)
*From the market analysis for your target destination to specific country information and detailed analysis of the competition, the vouchers for services from Switzerland Global Enterprise offer you everything you need to successfully tap into a new market.
Application process
Transparent application process
All applications received will be examined in a multi-stage process and assessed by an independent jury of experts.
The jury will not only assess the implementation of classic export, but also the general expertise of Swiss companies with regard to integration in global value chains; for example by networking with international suppliers or opening a branch in the target market. The focus here is on the choice of foreign markets, which hurdles have been overcome on entry, and how the company has positioned itself in the individual countries or regions.
Export Award Jury
The volunteer and independent jury is made up of renowned figures from the worlds of business, academia and media within Switzerland:
Jury President: Ralph Siegl
Stefan Barmettler
Martin Naville
Emanuel Probst
Winfried Ruigrok
Nicola Thibaudeau
Franziska Tschudi Sauber
Monika Walser
Finalists 2022
Finalists 2022
Altoo: Swissness for international growth
Altoo Wealth Platform enables high net worth individuals and their families to view and manage all their assets through an intuitive user interface and collaborate with various wealth advisors via secure communication channels. The Zug-based WealthTech's software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform is developed in Switzerland and offers clients in 18 countries a comprehensive digital "home" that allows them to consolidate all their assets, including all information such as contracts or insurance policies, on just one platform. Founded in 2017, the company is excellently positioned among its international clientele thanks to the attributes of quality, expertise, trust and security. Since entering foreign markets in 2020, the 27-strong team already generates around 40% of its revenue outside Switzerland. Given the current growth figures, a further doubling of the export share of sales can be expected in the next two years.
BÜCHI Labortechnik: Consistent go-to-market strategy
Founded in 1939, the former glassblowing company has developed into a global high-tech enterprise and market leader. The family-owned company from Flawil sells analytical and testing equipment for research in pharmaceuticals and chemistry and equips laboratories with measuring instruments for quality control of food and animal feed or for environmental analysis. In addition, BÜCHI offers its customers a wide range of services such as consulting, service, training and application support. The SME employs around 800 people, is present in over 100 countries and has an export share of 97%. BÜCHI is present in key international markets with 20 subsidiaries. In other countries, the fast-growing company works closely with numerous sales partners.
GWF MessSysteme: Further development of international business
The family-owned company, founded in 1899 and headquartered in Lucerne, is active in the Swiss market as a manufacturer and system integrator for the measurement of water, wastewater, electricity, gas and heat. Outside Switzerland, GWF is particularly active in the water and wastewater sector and supplies utilities, industrial companies and system integrators on all continents with measuring instruments and customized solutions. With its ultrasonic flow measurement technology, GWF has been able to set new standards and is increasingly perceived as a high-quality, innovative partner for measurement technology and total solutions. The SME employs 250 people, has an export share of 43 % and will invest intensively in the further development of its global partner network, in technology, lighthouse projects and new business fields in the next five years.
Hall of fame
Hall of fame
The Export Award celebrates the successful internationalization of Swiss and Liechtenstein companies, and shows how they have successfully positioned themselves in the global economy.
Winner 2022: Büchi
Founded in 1939, the former glassblowing company has developed into a global high-tech enterprise and market leader. The family-owned company from Flawil sells analytical and testing equipment for research in pharmaceuticals and chemistry and equips laboratories with measuring instruments for quality control of food and animal feed or for environmental analysis. In addition, BÜCHI offers its customers a wide range of services such as consulting, service, training and application support. The SME employs around 800 people, is present in over 100 countries and has an export share of 97%. BÜCHI is present in key international markets with 20 subsidiaries. In other countries, the fast-growing company works closely with numerous sales partners.
Winner 2021: Nispera
Founded in 2015, Nispera provides smart data solutions for monitoring facilities that provide renewable energy. The software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform of the startup is already in use in more than 150 wind turbines, 250 photovoltaic facilities and 20 hydropower plants in over 25 countries. The 15-strong international team achieves more than 80% of its turnover abroad. Its goal is to access further markets and achieve 97% of its turnover internationally. To this end, potential customers are identified by the Global Head of Sales and dealt with by the team. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the startup also took part in relevant events in the target markets. Thanks to its good reputation, it now benefits immensely from recommendations by satisfied customers.
Export Award Gewinner 2020 - 2018
