With the Export Award, Switzerland Global Enterprise honors internationally active companies with an impressive expansion strategy and innovative approach to market cultivation.
The Export Award 2024 will be presented to a Swiss or Liechtenstein company at a ceremony on the occasion of the International Trade Forum on April 23, 2024, at the Kongresshaus in Zurich.
The deadline for applications is January 12, 2024.
Prize and advantages
Export Award Prize and Advantages
The candidates of the competition benefit from attractive 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.
- January 12, 2024 Deadline for applications
- January 23, 2024 Preliminary judging, selection of the six nominees
- February 09, 2024 Main judging, presentation of the nominees to the jury
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
Markus Diem Meier
Martin Naville
Emanuel Probst
Winfried Ruigrok
Nicola Thibaudeau
Franziska Tschudi Sauber
Monika Walser
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 Export Award 2023:Megasol Energie AG: Fast international growth
Megasol is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of solar modules and intelligent mounting systems, offering sound advice and smart complete solutions from a single source. Founded in 1993, Switzerland’s largest solar manufacturer has been shaping the Swiss and international markets for decades. The photovoltaic solar modules and components are developed and manufactured at the Deitingen (Solothurn) production site with 155 employees. The company is particularly successful in the rapidly growing segment of building-integrated photovoltaics. Megasol is the only manufacturer in the world that can supply any panel in all sizes, shapes, colours, glass surfaces, structures and outputs. The company has also become an innovative leader in an extremely dynamic industry through active research and development activities. Since entering the German market in 2012, Megasol has increasingly shifted its sales activities abroad and has so far implemented over 100,000 projects in more than 30 countries. The export share has reached 85% and is expected to rise to over 90%.
Winner Export Award 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 Export Award 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.
Winner Export Award 2020 - 2018
Finalists 2023
Finalists 2023
Dagsmejan: International success with functional sleepwear
Founded in 2016, the Zurich-based start-up Dagsmejan produces a new type of functional sleepwear that is optimally tailored to the needs of the sleeping body.
Inspired by high-performance sportswear, the two founders began by conducting nearly 18 months of intensive research alongside leading experts in sleep research, materials science and textile technology. This resulted in products that are based on natural fibres, tested according to scientific criteria and actually have a positive influence on the quality of sleep.
The founders’ concept worked: the pyjamas have been on the market since 2018. Turnover has grown steadily, reaching 12 million Swiss francs in 2022, with an export share of 65%. The company plans to further expand its presence in its defined core markets.
Megasol Energie AG: Fast international growth
Megasol is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of solar modules and intelligent mounting systems, offering sound advice and smart complete solutions from a single source. Founded in 1993, Switzerland’s largest solar manufacturer has been shaping the Swiss and international markets for decades. The photovoltaic solar modules and components are developed and manufactured at the Deitingen (Solothurn) production site with 155 employees. The company is particularly successful in the rapidly growing segment of building-integrated photovoltaics. Megasol is the only manufacturer in the world that can supply any panel in all sizes, shapes, colours, glass surfaces, structures and outputs. The company has also become an innovative leader in an extremely dynamic industry through active research and development activities. Since entering the German market in 2012, Megasol has increasingly shifted its sales activities abroad and has so far implemented over 100,000 projects in more than 30 countries. The export share has reached 85% and is expected to rise to over 90%.
Statron: Consistent focus on customer needs
Founded in 1976 in Mägenwil, Switzerland, Statron has become the leading international manufacturer of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) solutions and battery systems. The systems are used wherever a continuous flow of energy is required: in power plants, waste incineration plants, hospitals, airports, tunnels, factories, oil platforms, refineries, etc. Statron has production capacities and state-of-the-art test field environments in Switzerland, Malaysia and Hungary, and can rely on a multidisciplinary research and development team. In recent years, the company has seen progressive growth in sales and profits thanks to its absolute focus on customer needs, high quality and Swiss reliability. With its eight subsidiaries and over 200 employees worldwide, the market leader has invested in local sales and service organizations in many countries of the world, thus strengthening its international position. Exports account for over 80% of sales, and further targeted growth is planned.
