FAQ
Who is behind the Innovation Center Rapperswil?
SinoSwiss Holding, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Steinhausen in the canton of Zug, is responsible for the construction and operation of the Innovation Center Rapperswil through its Rapperswil-based subsidiary, SinoSwiss Technopark AG. SinoSwiss Holding pursues the goal of creating a bridge for economic exchange between Switzerland and Asia. The managing director of SinoSwiss Holding is Dominik Widmer. SinoSwiss Holding is a subsidiary of the Chinese private company Fenshare Holding Co. based in Chongqing.
How is the centre being funded?
The Innovation Centre by SinoSwiss is entirely privately funded.
Is there a main focus at the Innovation Centre?
In principle, the Innovation Centre is open to startups and innovative companies from all sectors. As soon as stricter selection becomes necessary due to high demand, the focus will be on the following sectors: ICT, robotics, cleantech, medtech, fintech and engineering.
Why is the Innovation Centre needed?
The Innovation Centre can make a key contribution to funding startups in the Rapperswil/Upper Lake Zurich area. In addition to providing basic funding opportunities, the focus is on building bridges between Swiss startups and Asia – an area that harbours huge potential for Swiss startups in all the relevant industries. In this respect, the Innovation Centre is filling a gap in local startup funding.
The Asian market – and China in particular – is tremendously important to Swiss companies, both as a production location and as a sales market. However, doing business in and with Asia is still hugely challenging for Swiss companies due to cultural and regulatory differences. The Innovation Centre by SinoSwiss in Rapperswil-Jona meets the need for a strategic partnership for Swiss companies looking to expand into Asia.
How will the local Rapperswil-Jona population benefit from the project?
The Innovation Centre will attract more startups to Rapperswil, which has the potential to generate high-quality jobs and additional tax revenue in the medium and long term. The Innovation Centre will also help these startups grow into successful companies.
When is construction scheduled to start?
Construction is expected to start in March 2024. Part of the area will already be developed with the new build on the Schachen nursing home site.
When will the Innovation Centre be ready?
The overall project is expected to be completed in October 2025.
How will the Innovation Centre be accessed?
The Innovation Centre will be accessed using Druckerstrasse as a one-way street from Schachenstrasse for private traffic. The bus will be able to drive past. The subway will provide a transport link to the nearby Blumenau railway station.
What energy will the Innovation Centre be supplied with?
A solar system with 109 kWp will be installed on the Innovation Center building.
The Innovation Center is heated via the district heating network of Energie Zürichsee Linth.
What does a workstation in the Startup Space cost?
The workstations will be free for between one and three years. Afterwards, a workstation will cost about CHF 200 per month. Up to 90 startup workstations are available.
The meeting rooms will cost CHF 40 to CHF 80 per hour. The auditorium (120 m2) will cost CHF 600 per half-day.
How big are the premises for businesses?
The premises are between 60 m2 and 1,200 m2 in size.
How much do the premises cost for businesses?
In shell condition, the premises cost CHF 180 per square metre and per year. When developed, they cost CHF 250 per square metre and year. Parking spaces cost CHF 150 per month.
What services are offered to startups?
The Innovation Centre offers free premises, including office space, for startups. Free grassroots and Asia-specific modules for startups are on offer. Access to angel, seed and VC funding is provided as an additional service.
Why was SinoSwiss Technopark (Switzerland) AG founded?
SinoSwiss Technopark (Switzerland) AG was founded in Rapperswil so that the operating company of the Innovation Center Rapperswil is formally anchored in Rapperswil and thus also subject to taxation in Rapperswil.
What is the Swiss-Sino Innovation Center?
The Swiss-Sino Innovation Center is not in any way related to the Innovation Center Rapperswil, SinoSwiss Technopark AG, SinoSwiss Holding or Fenshare Holding.
What is Sino-Swiss Consulting?
Sino-Swiss Consulting is not in any way related to the Innovation Center Rapperswil, SinoSwiss Technopark AG, SinoSwiss Holding or Fenshare Holding.
How is it ensured that no industrial or economic espionage is conducted with the Innovation Center?
SinoSwiss Holding was founded with the aim of offering professional support in Switzerland and China to Swiss companies and startups so that they do not run the risk of know-how being exploited or otherwise disadvantaged in their business activities in China or with Chinese companies. SinoSwiss has specific expertise, experience and networks that enable Swiss companies and startups to successfully do business with Chinese customers, suppliers and investors. SinoSwiss can now offer this assistance and service to other Asian countries.
Only Swiss companies are involved in the construction and operation of the Innovation Center Rapperswil.
The IT infrastructure can be installed and operated by the tenants themselves if desired.
Do the startups in the Innovation Center need to have or seek business relationships with China or Asia?
No, the startups can also only take advantage of the Startups Space and the basic offers and do not necessarily have to have or seek business relationships in Asia. The Asia-specific modules can also be taken up by all startups if they are interested, even if they have no intention of doing business in Asia.
Has the city of Rapperswil-Jona committed itself in Article 8 of the sales contract to approve the building application without delay?
No, the city of Rapperswil-Jona has not agreed to approve a building application for the Innovation Center without delay. Article 8 of the sales contract states: "All necessary planning application documents must be signed without delay." This is because a planning application is signed by the developer and the landowner (in this case the city of R-J) (Art. 21 para. 1 "Verordnung zum Planungs- und Baugesetz, sGS 731.11; PBV"). If the sales contract requires this signature in clause 8, this does not constitute an assurance that the Building and Environment Commission will issue a building permit. It is merely a formal requirement that the building application can be submitted at all.