Increasing Cyber Sovereignty through Swiss Start-ups: Utopia or the Future?

A handful of global corporations’ control much of the data that is essential to a functioning digital society. Hardware and software for vital and critical systems is also produced by a few international companies. In view of the increasing digitalisation of business processes, this dependency entails certain risks. The question therefore arises for Switzerland as to how it can increase its digital independence – its cyber sovereignty – and enhance the potential for local innovation.

Over the past three years, SATW has organised top-class events on the subject of cyber sovereignty. Building on this, SATW is now organising, together with Kickstart and the Cybersecurity start-up Map, an exclusive evening event for decision-makers from administration, business, politics and science.

Learn from Lieutenant General Thomas Süssli, Chief of the Armed Forces, what cyber sovereignty means for Switzerland from a military point of view and where there are fields of action. Furthermore, we will discuss the extent to which the state can assume a role as a client for cyber security start-ups and examine the questions of what is needed to ensure that young cyber security talents remain part of the Swiss economy.

The event will take place in person at Kraftwerk – Selnau ZH

17.30: Welcoming Address

17.40: Swiss Cybersecurity Start-ups as an opportunity for the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Thomas Süssli, Chief of the Armed Forces

18.00: Insights in the Swiss start-up ecosystem with the cybersecurity start-up map, Presentation Sandra Tobler, Co-Founder und CEO Futurae Technologies

18.10: Success story of a Swiss cybersecurity start-up, Presentation Nicolas Mayencourt, CEO Dreamlab Technologies

18.20: Start-up promotion in Switzerland: Insights from Innouisse, Henri Dubois-Ferrière, PhD, Innosuisse expert and founder of 12th Ave Labs LLC

18.30: Panel Discussion and Q&A

19.00: Kickstart Cybersecurity-Startup-Pitches

19:15: Closing Remarks

Please note that entry and participation is restricted only to participants in possession of a COVID-19 certificate. Find more info on the certificate linked here.