Swiss Alliance for Data-Intensive Services participates at Forward2018

On April 19, 2018, the Innovation Forum FORWARD was held at EPFL. About 900 participants from SMBs, large companies, academia and government organizations attended a rich set of keynote presentations, which focused on the on-going digital transformation of SMBs. Several success stories were shared, such as LauraStar, Ecole Moser, Sensile Technologie, JMNC Lutherie and SenseFly. EPFL presented its digital strategy and the new EPFL Extension School. Andre Kudelski and Nicola Thibaudeau presented the Innosuisse strategy and innovation support programmes.

During the afternoon several breakout sessions (Ateliers) were held and the Swiss Alliance for Data Intensive Services in collaboration with Innosuisse hosted the Atelier F2. During the Atelier F2 Gundula Heinatz gave a presentation of the Alliance, and Silvia Quarteroni (ELCA) and Giovanna Di Marzo Serugendo (University of Geneva) showed their activities and contributions to the Alliance. Before the event, Innosuisse and there Alliance had collected proposals prepared by startups and SMBs for an innovation project for data-driven product or services. At the end of the Atelier F2 the 3 best submissions received were presented: by Rob Hamilton Smith from OrchardAI, by Marc Tesch from LeanBI and by Robert von Känel from Panache. These proposals will receive dedicated help and coaching to create an industry-academic partnership and apply for an Innocheck.

Here are some glimpses from the day.