The background

2005           The USI and SUPSI Start-up Promotion Center incubator is born.

2008           Tecnopolo Lugano SA is founded, located in Bioggio, intended to welcome biotech and high-tech startups, supported by BSI. A total of 16 companies were hosted.

2009           The first competition for the best business idea in Ticino, better known as the "BSI Award" as it is sponsored by the bank, is announced.

2010            In December the foundation of the Agire Foundation takes place, located in the Q2000 building in Manno. Agire stands for Regional Innovation Agency.

Fondazione Agire

2011

  • In January, Agire operationally starts its work. In March, the first director, Lorenzo Leoni, is appointed.
  • AgireInvest SA was set up in May, and Ticinotransfer integrated, with a fund of 7 million francs. The first companies to receive funding were IBI SA, Hydroswiss SA, Beyounic SA, Swissleg, Stagend and FemtoPrint.

2012

  • The concept of "house of innovation" is developed.
  • Stefano Rizzi joins the CdF to replace Arnoldo Coduri.
  • The Economy Day and the first "Demo Day" for innovative companies are organized at the Palazzo dei Congressi. 15 companies participate, including IBI, Enveve, Stagend, still present on the market and well rooted in the area.
  • The Agire Foundation immediately recorded large numbers with the TTS Transfer of Technologies and Knowledge service (support to companies).

2013

  • The study for the Tecnopolo project is launched, according to a decentralized model, starting from 2014, with 4 locations: Manno, Chiasso, Bellinzona and Stabio. The Ticino Technopole is conceived with a “Hub and Spokes” structure. At the center of the model is the central office (Hub), strategically located near universities and research institutes (USI, SUPSI, Centro di Calcolo Nazionale, EOC, Cardiocentro). The spokes, on the other hand, will be located throughout the Ticino area, focused on specific issues, in the vicinity of specific research centers or centers of competence.
  • In December the first Technopole opens in Chiasso with a total area of ​​700 square meters dedicated to companies active in the ICT sector.

2014

  • In January, 80% of the spaces in Chiasso are rented out. In February, the spaces for the Manno Technopole are acquired with a total surface area of ​​2.700 square meters.
  • In March, the collaboration with USE begins for the Oltreconfini-TI project, the multimedia portal on Ticino emigration to promote the return of Ticino residents abroad, offering highly interesting professional opportunities.
  • In April, the first application to join Switzerland Innovation was launched, with the aim of creating a network office with a focus on the fashion and logistics sector.
  • On 23 May the Tecnopolo Ticino is inaugurated in Manno.
  • In August we proceed with the first mapping of all the law firms that, in Ticino, are specialized in issues related to the protection of intellectual property.
  • In November, InnoPark takes up residence at the Technopole thus completing the total occupation of the surface.
  • At the end of the year, a total of 7 companies were established at the Chiasso Technopole, occupying the entire available area.

2015

  • In March, the second revised application for the Innovation Park was sent, entitled "Fashion, luxury and data logistics", identifying the settlement on Pian Faloppia, in the Balerna area.
  • In May Ticino's candidacy was rejected, on the contrary that of Bienne was accepted.
  • In July, the space dedicated to co-working desks at the Tecnopolo di Manno expands.
  • In autumn, negotiations are entered into with EOC and SIRM (Swiss Institute of Regenerative Medicine) to set up the research center within which the Tecnopolo Ticino Medtech Hub was foreseen. At the same time, research continues in Bellinzona to implement the Biomedical Spoke as well. A location in Locarno for the mechatronics sector is also evaluated.
  • During the year, Agire develops a network of entrepreneurs resident in Ticino who follow the new companies and act as mentors and, in some cases, also invest with their own capital.
  • Acting favors numerous contacts between companies and institutions of various types (Fund for Technologies, TicinoTurismo, Regional Development Bodies, CF Sud) to facilitate the development of applied research projects and product development. At the same time, it becomes part of the Allianz Technopole nationwide.
  • At the end of 2015, 40 companies settled in Manno with over 80 employees.

2016

  • Agire organizes the first trip of the CDF to the United States, where they meet and visit various research centres, universities, large companies, accelerators and incubators.
  • The demerger takes place between the Agire Foundation and AgireInvest which becomes Tiventure SA, on the basis of SECO directives. Director Leoni is appointed to manage the fund of the new company.
  • A 50% new director is thus appointed: Alcide Barberis, an entrepreneur in the biotechnology sector with over 20 years of managerial and scientific experience who manages the Start-UP Promotion Center for the other 50%.
  • In the meantime, the new four-year mandate for Fondazione Agire is being drawn up.
  • A contract is signed with SUPSI to which the TTS service is assigned with a performance mandate.
  • In the same year the collaboration with the Start-Up Promotion Center intensifies, thanks to the shared director Barberis, and the first StartCup Ticino (former BSI award) is organized with the support also from the Canton and a coaching service for competitors .
  • In 2016, the new LInn, the cantonal law on innovation, was voted and introduced, which supports innovative projects in the Canton of Ticino and gives a great boost to the activities of the Agire Foundation.
  • The discussion opens with Switzerland innovation for the creation of a "Standortträger" on the theme "Fashion & Technology" which is believed to be the only suitable theme for Ticino.

2017

  • The new reference function for support for start-ups is integrated into the team. At the same time, in June, Barberis leaves and Lorenzo Ambrosini enters in July, who assumes the role of director in November.
  • The pilot edition of the cantonal accelerator is introduced, i.e. a coaching system for participants in the StartCup Ticino Award, with a pool of coaches selected by Agire and the Start-UP Promotion Centre.
  • The Council's trip is organized in Israel where it is possible to confront the “startup nation” and acquire an important experience.
  • Gain Tharapeutics enters the Tecnopolo Ticino, now listed on the Nasdaq.
  • For the first time, a survey was carried out in the Tecnopolo community which launched the "Living the Technopole" project with the introduction of activities and moments of aggregation.
  • Also in 2017, the “Lugano Medtech Foundation” was created to manage the Tecnopolo Medtech structure at the Mizar in Lugano. At the same time Tecnopolo Lugano SA, founded in 2009, is liquidated.
  • Agire joins Digital Switzerland with the aim of participating personally in the digital transformation underway and giving visibility to Ticino companies.
  • The CdF decides to start work on submitting a new Ticino candidacy as a stand-alone site to Switzerland Innovation.
  • In December the Technopole of Chiasso is closed.

2018

  • In May the new accelerator Boldbrain Startup Challenge was launched for the first year, wanted by the Canton, born from the evolution of the previous StartCup Ticino award. At the end of the year, the program joins the Swiss accelerator table.
  • Thanks to the entry into the company of a figure responsible for the marketing and events sector, Agire organizes the Ticino Digital Day in Lugano, under the umbrella of Digital Switzerland.
  • In the same year, another gap was filled with the hiring of a manager for Technology Transfer.
  • The Council's trip is organized to Stockholm, another nation with a strong innovative character.
  • Thanks to the presence of the startup analyst, new relationships are established and she is invited and included in some juries of other national programs, expanding the Agire network.
  • In 2018, due to different dynamics, the employment of the Tecnopolo Ticino decreases with the exit of various companies.
  • As regards the candidacy for Switzerland Innovation, there is the compromise of a Park associated with that of Zurich.
  • In 2018, the mapping of internal processes and the introduction of the hour monitoring system began.

2019

  • In 2019, the first "financing coaching" service was launched at the Ticino Technopole, as well as the remote assisted patent search service, in connection with the Federal Office of Intellectual Property in Bern.
  • The head of the Technology transfer service is appointed as InnoSuisse mentor.
  • During the year, the first draft of the new application to Switzerland Innovation for the Park associated with that of Zurich is sent.
  • The Foundation Council visits the Polihub in Milan and the new MIND center, built on the former Expo area. This construction site will become the headquarters of the new Galeazzi Hospital, the Human Tecnopole and the campus of the State University of Milan.
  • In September, the Grand Council renews the four-year credit for the Fondazione Agire.

2020

  • In January, the new Foundation Board takes office with the appointment of Luca Bolzani as the new President, replacing the outgoing Prof. Giambattista Ravano.
  • In May, a partnership agreement was signed with SICTIC (Swiss ICT investor club) for a representative office in Ticino at Tecnopolo Ticino.
  • In July, the request from the Innovation Park Zürich to join them is accepted, and the official final application for Switzerland Innovation is submitted.
  • The final approval of our application by Switzerland Innovation also arrives in November.

2021

  • In March, the start of works for the creation of the Innovation Park in Ticino and its related Competence Centers in three specific sectors is officially launched.
  • During the year, a new initiative is conceived dedicated on the one hand to companies that want to implement “open innovation” projects and on the other hand dedicated to the creation of a network of local investors to put in contact with indigenous start-ups. The global project is called Scouting for Innovation.
  • In the autumn, a massive promotional campaign is launched for the relaunch of Tecnopolo Ticino.
  • For the first time, the Boldbrain final is organized in the theater hall of the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano.