top of page
Fest-bann-v1.gif
Image by Alejandro Luengo

Welcome to the FEST

The FEST returned to Canada in April 2024 to bring together organizations and audiences from science, technology, industry, academia, arts and community around Swiss-Canadian cleantech innovation.

A dynamic event series to enhance existing business and science collaborations, and encourage future international collaborations through discussions, workshops, networking gatherings, film screenings, and exhibitions.

FEST-Logo-v1-20-web2.png

The Consulate General of Switzerland is committed bi-lateral relations for science, technology, innovation, education and cultural exchange between Switzerland and Canada.

Hosted by

040-Swiss-Innovation-Fest-2022-Vancouver.jpg

INTRODUCTION

The 2nd Swiss Innovation FEST took place in Vancouver, Canada from March 26-April 28, 2024, offering a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to delve into Cleantech's potential in shaping a sustainable future for Canada and Switzerland.

Switzerland, known for its technological advancements, leads in Cleantech, focusing on AI, robotics, personalized health, blockchain, advanced manufacturing, and clean business solutions. Meanwhile, Western Canada also plays a key role in Cleantech, excelling in renewable energy, water and wastewater management, energy storage and efficiency, hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), smart grid, bioproducts, and e-mobility. Ten Western Canadian companies are among the 13 Canadian ventures in the 2024 Global Cleantech 100. Canada's government has outlined its emission reduction roadmap for 2030, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
 

The event series showcased Cleantech innovations from Switzerland and Western Canada, vital in addressing the pressing global climate crisis. Through the 2nd Swiss Innovation FEST, we have brought science and society closer together and demonstrated how innovation can impact the present and future of everyone in the community.

PROGRAM

SPRING 2024

CTSTW-Exb_edited.jpg

OPENING PANEL

SFU & Online

Tuesday April 2

5-7:30pm PST

Government and industry leaders discuss the role of collaborative technological innovation in building a cleaner, sustainable future.

EXHIBITION

SFU Harbour Centre April 2-15

UCalgary, EEEL Oct 9-23

Public (Drop-in)

Can Tech Save the World? explores inspiring Swiss Cleantech solutions that can help mitigate environmental challenges.

SMART CITIES

Wosk Centre & Online

Thursday April 4

9:30am-1pm PST

Expert researchers discuss the city's role and potential to drive positive change in sustainable building, clean mobility, clean utilities, and more.

STARTUP SERIES

Virtual

April 9 & 11

10am PST

Swiss cleantech startups will learn about the Canadian market, develop a pitch, and present their solutions for investors and the public.

FILM
SCREENING

VIFF & Online

April 11 & April 24-28

6:30pm PST

How can we live more sustainably? Follow the stories of the three young people as they look for solutions and show that change is possible.

DECARBONIZATION DIALOGUE

Virtual

Tuesday April 16

10-11:30am PST

Panelists from leading Swiss and Canadian organizations discuss energy challenges and new approaches to collaborative solutions.

WATCH THE PLAYLIST!

City Skyline

Smart Cities Lecture Series

MARCH 26-APRIL 5 

Dr. Vicente Carabias and Kristi Shalla delivered seven guest lectures, sharing their expertise with students, faculty, and general audiences in Alberta and British Columbia.

Smart City Interview

Kristi Shalla is the Innovation  Commissioner of Swiss Business Hub USA, and co-author of the book Seoul: Tale of a Smart City published in April 2024. Following the Smart Cities Panel Discussion, Human Biography captured her story!

Swiss_Drone_Lab.jpg

Invention to Innovation (i2I) 

Simon Fraser University (Canada) invites 5 ETH, EPFL and University of Zurich PhD students and post-doctoral fellows in the cleantech, healthtech and bioscience fields who wish to develop entrepreneurial skills, refine their innovation idea, and eventually commercialize their inventions, creating sustainable social and economic value, to apply for the 2024/25 Cleantech Cohort in partnership with Mitacs, a Canadian nonprofit national research organization.  To express interest, email Tamara Shtanova, Science & Technology Officer, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver, at:

 

tamara.shtanova@eda.admin.ch

Commercializing Cleantech

Panelists from Switzerland and Alberta discuss the role of policymakers, industry leaders and academia in scaling up innovations.

Produced in partnership with

ISM Creative

Launching and supporting game-changing initiatives that pursue knowledge production, meaning, innovation and impact.

ISM-Logo--11.png

FEST24 PARTNERS

Organizations we are excited to work with for FEST24

Could your organization play a part?

COORDINATORS

TAMARA SHTANOVA

Science & Technology Officer - Consulate General of Switzerland

 

SCOTT MALLORY, JR.

Founder, Director - ISM Arts & Culture

FESt-abstract-v1-05.png
bottom of page