Innovation strength measured by spin-offs at ETH and EPFL between 2017-2020

Members of the research institutions at ETH Zurich (ETH) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) launched 176 spin-offs between 2017 and 2020. This indicates a robust culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within these institutions. On an annual basis, ETH and EPFL launched 28 and 17 spin-offs, respectively, during the same period. Analyzing these numbers in relation to enrolled students, full-time equivalent professors, and the number of faculties reveals intriguing insights about the innovation dynamics at these prestigious institutions.

Spin-offs and Institutional Metrics

Annual Spin-offs Relative to Institutional Metrics

• ETH Zurich (ETH):

  • Annual Spin-offs: 28
  • Enrolled Students: Approximately 21,500
  • Full-time Equivalent Professors: 500
  • Faculties: 16

• EPFL:

  • Annual Spin-offs: 17
  • Enrolled Students: Approximately 12,000
  • Full-time Equivalent Professors: 340
  • Faculties: 5

Spin-offs per Student, Professor, and Faculty

When we compare the number of spin-offs relative to the number of students, professors, and faculties, some interesting patterns emerge.

• ETH Zurich (ETH):

  • Spin-offs per Student: 1 per 767 students
  • Spin-offs per Professor: 1 per 17 professors
  • Spin-offs per Faculty: 1.75 per faculty

• EPFL:

  • Spin-offs per Student: 1 per 694 students
  • Spin-offs per Professor: 1 per 20 professors
  • Spin-offs per Faculty: 3.4 per faculty

Insights and Interpretation

Spin-offs per Student

EPFL shows a higher number of spin-offs per student compared to ETH. This suggests that EPFL students are more likely to engage in entrepreneurial activities and establish spin-offs. The entrepreneurial culture and support mechanisms at EPFL might be particularly effective in encouraging students to translate their research into commercial ventures.

Spin-offs per Professor

ETH has a higher number of spin-offs per professor, indicating that the professors at ETH are more actively involved in founding spin-offs. This could be attributed to ETH’s strong emphasis on translating research into practical applications and its extensive support system for faculty entrepreneurship.

Spin-offs per Faculty

The higher number of spin-offs per faculty at EPFL suggests that the institution’s faculties are highly entrepreneurial and may have more interdisciplinary projects that lead to spin-offs. EPFL’s concentrated faculty structure might also facilitate more collaborative and innovative projects, leading to a higher spin-off rate.

Factors Contributing to Innovation Strength

Institutional Support and Resources

Both ETH and EPFL provide significant support to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. These include access to incubation centers, funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and networking events. This ecosystem is crucial for transforming research into viable commercial products and services.

Research Excellence

Both institutions are renowned for their research excellence, which is a key driver of innovation. High-quality research often leads to groundbreaking technologies and solutions that can be commercialized through spin-offs.

Collaborative Environment

A collaborative environment that encourages interdisciplinary projects can significantly boost the number of spin-offs. Both ETH and EPFL promote collaboration among different faculties and departments, leading to innovative solutions that address complex problems.

Entrepreneurial Culture

The entrepreneurial culture at both institutions plays a vital role in encouraging students and faculty to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Workshops, seminars, and competitions focused on entrepreneurship are common, providing the necessary skills and motivation to launch spin-offs.

Case Studies of Notable Spin-offs

ETH Zurich Spin-offs

1. Climeworks: Founded by ETH Zurich alumni, Climeworks specializes in direct air capture technology to combat climate change. It has grown into a leading company in the field of carbon capture and storage.
2. Scandit: A leader in mobile computer vision and augmented reality solutions, Scandit was spun off from ETH Zurich. It provides barcode scanning technology used in retail, logistics, and healthcare.

EPFL Spin-offs

1. MindMaze: A spin-off from EPFL, MindMaze develops neurotechnology and virtual reality products for healthcare. Its solutions are used for neurorehabilitation and brain-machine interfaces.
2. Flyability: This EPFL spin-off creates collision-tolerant drones for industrial inspections. Its technology is used in hazardous environments, reducing the need for human intervention and improving safety.

Enhancing Your Spin-off’s Success

For those in the seed phase looking to enhance their spin-off’s success, consider focusing on the following points:

1. Target a Large Market:
   • Ensure your market is sizable enough to attract significant investor interest. A larger market offers greater potential for growth and scalability.
2. Develop Disruptive Technology:
   • Create a technology that disrupts existing solutions and is difficult for competitors to replicate. This provides a competitive edge and makes your startup more appealing to investors.
3. Build a Strong Team:
   • Assemble a team with diverse skills and experience. Investors look for strong teams that can execute the business plan effectively.
4. Pilot Projects:
   • Conduct pilot projects with potential customers to demonstrate the viability and demand for your product. Successful pilots can provide proof of concept and attract early investment.

Conclusion

The innovation strength measured by spin-offs at ETH and EPFL between 2017 and 2020 reflects the robust entrepreneurial ecosystem at these institutions. While EPFL has a higher number of spin-offs per student, ETH excels in spin-offs per professor and faculty. Both institutions showcase a balanced and dynamic approach to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. By leveraging institutional support, engaging in high-quality research, fostering collaboration, and cultivating an entrepreneurial culture, spin-offs from these institutions are well-positioned to succeed and drive forward technological advancements.

For more detailed analysis and insights into the spin-off ecosystem, stay tuned for our upcoming reports and articles.