On 17 September 2026, Technopark Winterthur will once again become a showcase for Swiss innovation. At the Swiss Excellence Product Award ceremony, outstanding market-ready products from Swiss SMEs and startups will be recognised. Seven companies have made it to this year’s final and will compete for the awards in the two categories SME and Startup.
The wait is almost over: on 17 September 2026, the Swiss Excellence Product Award 2026 will be presented at Technopark Winterthur. Seven finalists will showcase their innovative products and hope to take home one of the two awards at the end of the evening. In addition to the official award ceremony, the event will offer plenty of opportunities for exchange and networking, including a World Café and a panel discussion.
Two awards for Swiss innovation
The Swiss Excellence Product Award recognises companies that combine technological innovation with strong entrepreneurial foundations. Once again in 2026, two awards will be presented: one in the SME category and one in the Startup category.
The focus is on market-ready products that stand out through a high degree of innovation and clear differentiation from existing solutions. The jury also evaluates their value creation potential, the quality of their go-to-market concept and the strength of their business model and business plan.
The seven finalists demonstrate just how diverse technological innovation in Switzerland can be.
SME category: From smart building technology to innovative timber construction
Three companies have been selected as finalists in the SME category: Fixpod GmbH, KEMARO AG and Timber Structures 3.0 AG.
Fixpod GmbH develops smart connection solutions for electrical conduits in timber and modular construction. Its patented FixPod enables a maintenance-free conduit transition with tolerance compensation, significantly reducing installation time.
KEMARO AG develops autonomous high-performance sweeping robots for demanding industrial environments. The K900 Gen II combines LiDAR and 3D sensor technology with intelligent algorithms, enabling it to autonomously clean even complex production and logistics areas.
Timber Structures 3.0 AG is opening up new possibilities in modern timber construction. The company develops large-span, beamless timber floors that can be designed with similar flexibility to reinforced concrete slabs. A patented joining process connects cross-laminated timber panels to create biaxially load-bearing floor systems, enabling large spans and multi-storey timber buildings.
Startup category: Innovations for health, research and the environment
Four companies have made it to the final in the Startup category: MoleSense GmbH, optohive AG, RELiYOO AG and SensorX Solutions AG.
MoleSense GmbH develops a non-invasive wearable for measuring molecular biomarkers through the skin. Its first application focuses on hormone monitoring in reproductive health. An intelligent patch is designed to continuously measure hormone levels and create new opportunities for more personalised treatment.
optohive AG develops a wearable system for high-resolution, non-invasive measurement of brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Its patented sensor technology combines high signal quality with ease of use and intelligent software-based analysis.
RELiYOO AG, based at Technopark Winterthur, develops an intelligent active seat cushion for wheelchair users to help prevent and treat pressure ulcers. Sensors continuously monitor pressure levels, while air chambers automatically adjust the pressure distribution.
SensorX Solutions AG completes the group of finalists with FluX Multi, a flexible platform for the precise detection and quantification of methane and other greenhouse gases. The sensor technology can be deployed on drones, vehicles and robots, as well as in stationary applications.
World Café kicks off the award evening
The event begins at 3.30 pm with the arrival and welcome of guests. From 4.00 to 5.00 pm, a World Café will be held in collaboration with genisuisse. Networking, personal exchange and discussions in small groups will be at the heart of the format.
Following a short break, the official award ceremony will begin at 5.15 pm. Regula Elsener will host the evening together with Dr Clemens Jakobi, President of the Swiss Excellence Foundation, who will open the official part of the event.
The subsequent panel discussion on the Swiss Excellence Product Award 2026 will focus on innovation, product development and entrepreneurial experience. The seven finalists will then be presented before the winners of the Swiss Excellence Product Award 2026 SME and Swiss Excellence Product Award 2026 Startup categories are officially announced.
The evening will conclude with an apéro and networking, offering guests the opportunity to engage directly with the finalists, fellow attendees and partners.
The images in this article were produced and provided by Peter Brandenberger– www.im-licht.ch
