Swiss Stories

FREITAG © FREITAG/fluxif.com

Freitag: recycling with style

Economics
In the mid-1990s, two brothers from Zurich reinvented the bag, using recycled tarpaulins from lorries. Some 27 years and a string of innovative products later, FREITAG stores have sprung up in Berlin, Tokyo and many other cities, employing over 250 staff and drawing enthusiasts from around the world. What is FREITAG's recipe for success? Good ideas that capture the spirit of the age are naturally part of the equation, as is a holistic approach. The result is Swiss, environmentally friendly and uniquely recognisable around the world. An interview with Daniel Freitag at his office in Oerlikon.
“Mayaguana” bag © Exuma

Seven designers setting the style in Switzerland

Economics
The Swiss fashion and accessory scene has produced its fair share of designers, who are able to give expression to new and unexpected ideas. A passion for all things Swiss is driven by fashion events that put the spotlight on these designers’ craft and by the country’s art schools, which have become a true breeding ground for up-and-coming designers.

by Vanessa Hambaryan

Gottardo pocket knife

A Story of Swiss Precision

Economics
In celebration of the commitment to precision and the achievements that come with it, Victorinox has created the limited edition Gottardo pocket knife. 91 mm long, its blade shows the Gotthard mountain range and marks the tunnel from Erstfeld to Bodio.
senseFly Drone © senseFly

Swiss drones are flying high

Economics
Swiss industry is at the forefront of unmanned aerial vehicles for commercial use. Here are some examples of highly innovative Swiss firms.
Project Discovery

MMOS: A Swiss start-up that combines video games and science

Economics
MMOS, a Swiss start-up founded in 2014, develops a platform that connects research data and video games, offering video gamers the opportunity to contribute to proteomics or exoplanet research while being fully immersed in their favourite video game.
Startup

The top minds in Swiss innovation

Economics
The “Top 100 Swiss Startup Award” rewards Switzerland’s one hundred most promising start-ups. Nearly one hundred experts (companies, foundations, business incubators and higher education institutions) met in Schlieren, in the canton of Zurich, on 14 September to unveil the list for 2016. An overview of the three award-winners.
Start-up

Swiss start-ups provide competition for WhatsApp, Gmail and Facebook

Economics
Communications security has become a major social issue. In Switzerland some twenty companies have developed comparable software solutions for chatting, messaging and data storage which respect user privacy.