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FDA Newsletter
December 2020
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Editorial
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
2020 was in the context of the COVID pandemic an unprecedented year for the world, Swiss and Fribourg economies. All things considered, the canton is doing relatively well thanks to its diversified economy and sectors that are particularly resistant to the crisis. The focus on the bioeconomy is a good choice because sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, construction and food processing have emerged strengthened from the crisis. On the other hand, it is undeniable that entire sectors of the economy are suffering greatly.
The FDA has contributed to the implementation of emergency measures to help the economy and support the implementation of the recovery plan through measures such as R&D and digitalization vouchers, COVID service packs, business coaching and financial contributions for entrepreneurs. The canton of Fribourg is one of the most enterprising cantons in terms of urgent measures and is the first to implement a recovery plan. The FDA is proud to contribute to this in a very active way.
And finally, in our core activities of supporting collaborative projects, setting up foreign companies and providing support for industrial projects, we already know that 2020 is a good vintage, which allows us to approach 2021 with confidence.
I would like to wish you and your loved ones a peaceful holiday season and above all, take care of yourself.
With my best wishes for a good start into the new year.
Jerry Krattiger
Managing Director
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Vifor Pharma expands Production Capacity
Vifor Pharma is currently implementing a major expansion project at its site in Villars-sur-Glâne. The modular expansion has been conceived for the production of medicines and will further strengthen the strategic importance of the Fribourg site within the pharmaceutical group. Following the public call to tender in March, construction work was already able to begin in July. According to Yvan Liard, Director of Vifor Pharma’s Fribourg site, the new building will gradually be commissioned from the end of 2021/beginning of 2022. Vifor Pharma employs some 400 people in the Canton of Fribourg, and more than half of the production is destined for export.
> www.viforpharma.com
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Nespresso invests CHF 160 Million in the expansion of its Romont Production Center
Nespresso has announced an investment of CHF 160 million for the expansion of its production center in Romont. This will enable the Company to meet the growing worldwide demand for its coffees and ensure its international development in the coming years. With this expansion project, Nespresso will create about 300 new jobs in the Canton of Fribourg over the next 10 years.
> www.nestle-nespresso.com
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Micarna acquires a Parcel of Land at the AgriCo Campus
The AgriCo Campus in Saint-Aubin, which is dedicated to value creation in the fields of agriculture, nutrition and biomass, can boast of a new, prominent partner. Micarna, leader in Swiss meat processing and part of the Migros Group, will acquire a parcel of land representing approx. 95,000 m2 in the site’s working zone in order to construct new buildings for poultry processing. The sale is subject to approval by the Cantonal Parliament.
> www.agrico.swiss
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Alver: from Start-up to Scale-up
The start-up company Alver, headquartered at the AgriCo Campus in St-Aubin, is entering into a new phase. Following the conclusion of a third round of financing in early 2020, the food-technology company is presently investing in a scale-up project. Alver produces new foodstuffs based on the nutrient-rich microalgae Golden Chlorella, one of the most sustainable protein sources. Startupticker.ch spoke with the two founders, and here is what they had to say:
> www.startupticker.ch
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Swiss Food Ecosystems: National Innobooster for SMEs
The “Swiss Agro Food Leadinghouse”, based in Fribourg, has received a four-year financing from Innosuisse to run a national thematic network (NTN Innobooster) in the food sector. “Swiss Food Ecosystems” is one of a total of 12 NTN Innoboosters selected from a total of 64 applications. The NTN Innoboosters aim at providing SMEs with a competitive edge by teaming up with partners along the entire value chain and by integrating knowledge and technologies from universities.
> www.clusterfoodnutrition.ch
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Fribourg becomes a Member of the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
The Canton of Fribourg has joined the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV) Association, whose aim is to strengthen the international profile and networking of the Swiss food industry. Thanks to its proven expertise in the food sector, the Canton of Fribourg can make a significant contribution to the further development of this network and help shape its future evolution.
> www.swissfoodnutritionvalley.ch
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The 9 Finalists of the Fribourg Innovation Award
Nine companies have been nominated for the Fribourg Innovation Award 2020/2021. Above and beyond the three companies selected for the Business Award and the three for the Start-up Award, the panel of judges also chose, for the first time, the three finalists for the new Sustainable Economy Award. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Awards Ceremony will take place in 2021. More information on the finalists can be found under the following link:
> www.innovation-fribourg.ch (in French or German)
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Majbritt Byskov-Bridges, Alver, Co-founder & COO
Here is why the Start-up Alver chose to set up operations at the AgriCo-Campus in the Canton of Fribourg.
> Video (0:37 min.)
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Send your wishes for the New Year 2021 to decorate the MEA Christmas Tree
In anticipation of Christmas and to ring in the New Year, the Fribourg Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) has joined forces with the School of Applied Arts (eikon) to launch an extra-ordinary Advent Calendar in the form of a Xmas tree of wishes. All you need do is to add your own wishes and watch the tree grow and flourish. You can do so right here:
> www.dee-vwd.ch/2021
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Kariyon Cash Cards
After the huge success encountered this past summer, the Kariyon platform is back, this time with a 10% discount for the consumer. You can purchase the cash cards for amounts ranging from CHF 25 to 500, and spend them in the approx. 1800 stores registered on the Platform to receive your discount. So go out and support your local businesses!
> www.kariyon.ch
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New Brochure: Business Location Fribourg, Switzerland
Why is Fribourg so unique as a business location? What support measures are available for companies? What areas boast competence centers and clusters suitable for cooperation? Our new brochure provides answers to these questions and gives you an introductory overview of Fribourg as a business location:
> Fribourg/Switzerland: Your Business Location (PDF)
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Fribourg Network: Technology Transfer - Let's do it!
Getting the most out of cooperation between academic research and industry: this is the challenge of technology transfer. The 2020 edition of Fribourg Network Freiburg explores the advantages of this win-win partnership by illustrating several successful projects. The English print edition of the business magazine can be found here, while the website is supplemented with new articles throughout the year:
> www.fribourgnetwork.ch
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Research & Industry Day at the University and the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture
On Friday afternoon, 29 January, the Fribourg University and the School of Engineering and Architecture will present their research activities in the fields of chemistry, polymers and materials to interested industrial companies. The aim of these presentations and networking sessions is to discuss the possibilities for cooperation projects. Obtain more details and sign up here:
> www.unifr.ch
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Cooperation is the Focus of the New Regional Policy
The current implementation program of the New Regional Policy (NRP) focuses on two major themes: industry and tourism. Innovation within companies, digitization, and cooperation among the actors in the various economic, academic and tourism sectors will be the key themes of the NRP. To this end, the Canton has earmarked CHF 18.6 million for the next four years, and Fribourg companies will also be able to draw benefit.
> www.promfr.ch
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A new start-up Program for Students
At the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year, the Fribourg University of Applied Sciences (HES-SO Fribourg), in cooperation with Fri Up, launched the Student Venture Program. The new Program advises and supports students in their entrepreneurial projects, with the Fri Up team and professors from the University of Applied Sciences acting as coaches.
> www.hefr.ch
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Public Transportation: Annual Subscription for your Employees at an advantageous Price
Your company lacks parking spaces, is concerned by ecology, and would like to pay less in taxes? Frimobil, the Fribourg public-transportation-fare association, has introduced a new subscription offer, i.e., the JobAbo, from which your employees too can benefit, thanks to a joint contribution from both Frimobil and your company.
> www.frimobil.ch (in French or German)
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Fribourg’s Economic Recovery Plan also commits to promoting Sustainable Development
Several of the 25 measures of the economic recovery plan adopted by the State Council also address ecological and social issues. These aim at promoting sustainable development while preserving jobs and creating added value. You will find examples of how to reduce energy consumption, promote public transport, or how to seek out an apprenticeship slot under the following link:
> www.fr.ch (in French or German)
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