The city of Winterthur has launched the second call for project ideas through its “WinLab” initiative. The city is seeking projects that contribute to the city’s sustainable development and have a tangible impact on the population, the environment, or the economy. Businesses, universities, associations, and other organizations can submit their ideas through May 31, 2026, and work with the city to further develop them.
The city of Winterthur is once again opening its innovation process: With the launch of “WinLab,” the next call for project ideas is now open. Companies, universities, associations, and other organizations can submit their ideas through May 31, 2026, and work with the city to further develop them.
WinLab is part of the Smart City Strategy 2030 and provides an open framework for collaborative innovation. The aim is to solicit ideas at an early stage, refine them in collaboration with government, business, and academia, and then test them in real-world environments. The focus is on projects that contribute to Winterthur’s sustainable development—projects that are practical, impact-driven, and deliver tangible benefits for the city, its residents, the local economy, or the environment.
Successful launch sparks significant interest
The first funding cycle demonstrates that the model has resonated: over 30 project ideas were submitted. Three of them were selected for funding and are now being pursued in collaboration with the city of Winterthur.
GeoGPT is a voice-controlled AI tool for city maps. The application is designed to allow users to ask questions about geographic data in everyday language and receive immediately understandable maps and analyses. This simplifies access to urban data and lays the groundwork for future applications—including for residents and businesses.
Green Metrics takes a data-driven approach to increasing urban greenery. The project is guided by the 3-30-300 principle: every person should be able to see at least three trees, neighborhoods should have at least 30 percent tree canopy cover, and high-quality green space should be accessible within a maximum of 300 meters. At the heart of the project is a GIS-based Urban Twin that integrates data on trees, green spaces, and impervious surfaces, thereby enabling analyses, simulations, and targeted investment decisions.
The Winterthur Community Air Quality Network project relies on low-cost, mobile sensors to measure air quality. These sensors are being installed on city buses as part of a pilot program to collect data on air quality in urban areas. The goal is to assess the potential for creating a comprehensive air quality map and a real-time heat map.
Thinking Ahead on Innovation Together
For Technopark Winterthur, WinLab is a prime example of how innovation can emerge within the regional ecosystem: open, collaborative, and application-oriented. When the city, businesses, universities, and dedicated organizations work together, solutions are created that are not only technologically exciting but can also have a tangible impact on everyday life.
Further information on the call for proposals, funding criteria, and the target topic areas can be found on the City of Winterthur’s platform:
