With the clear political mandate of »Net Zero by 2037», the canton has set a binding framework that positions Basel-Stadt as a location that takes responsibility while actively leveraging economic opportunity. The canton’s innovation support for a Sustainable Economy currently comprises two programmes that guide companies along this transition. 

BaselCircular, a public‑private partnership between the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the Eckenstein‑Geigy Foundation, supports the Basel business community in shifting towards circular business models. Launched in 2024, the programme has already been taken up by numerous companies, with the first innovative solutions successfully implemented. 

New formats such as the Circular Economy Startup Weekend and the »Jooresdräff» have strengthened the community, connected committed actors and placed the opportunities of the circular economy at centre stage. These initiatives reinforce Basel’s position as a region where circular innovation can scale. 

Basel2037 supports SMEs in Basel-Stadt in implementing sustainability projects and contributing directly to the canton’s Net Zero 2037 target. At the same time, Basel2037 provides the practical knowledge SMEs need and offers targeted guidance on sustainability, climate action and net-zero strategies. 

The association Basel2037 was founded in August 2025 by the Chamber of Commerce Basel-Stadt and the Canton of Basel-Stadt to provide SMEs with structured, hands-on support on their pathway to net zero. 
 

Basel-Stadt further built on its position as a global leading hub for innovation in Life Science and Health. Between 2025 and March 2026, the region demonstrated the hallmarks of a maturing, high performing innovation ecosystem: programmes were strategically advanced, international partnerships expanded and the foundations for sustainable growth further reinforced. 

BaseLaunch has reaffirmed its role as one of Europe’s foremost platforms for building the next generation of biotech companies. The programme successfully mobilised private capital, strengthened the investment readiness of early-stage projects and supported the creation of new ventures. Since its inception, BaseLaunch supported startups have secured over USD 1 billion in funding — a clear indicator of Basel’s global competitiveness as a biotech hub. 

DayOne continued its strategic evolution in 2025. It is increasingly positioning itself as a venture builder at the intersection of healthtech and the pharmaceutical industry. Its focus spans the entire pharmaceutical value chain: from AI-enabled clinical trial processes to next generation diagnostic platforms. Building on the DayOne Accelerator, DayOne NEXT was launched as a new programme to provide long-term support and coaching for startups emerging from the accelerator. 

With FoodHealth, a new strategic focus has been established. Launched in February 2026, the initiative marks the start of a bicantonal programme to accelerate high-tech innovation in agritech and foodtech, guided by the principle »from soil to gut». The programme is technology neutral and stakeholder neutral, connecting startups, SMEs, research institutions and industry partners across the entire value chain. This positions Northwestern Switzerland as a leading region for integrated solutions in the field of planetary and human health. 

Digitalisation is reshaping every sector of the economy, and companies in Basel-Stadt are driving this transformation across industries. In response, Basel-Stadt launched the BaselTech innovation support programme. Established as an association in October 2025, with its official rollout in March 2026, it has been developed in close collaboration with academia and industry. The programme aims to establish Basel‑Stadt as a major innovation hub for digital technologies and connected industry by 2032. The vision is a visible, interconnected ecosystem that brings together start-ups, established companies and research institutions. 

Key measures include the Digital Accelerator Basel — run jointly with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of both Basels and the Canton of Basel-Landschaft, as well as the BaselTech Galaxy innovation platform in partnership with Innofuse. These initiatives form essential digital and physical foundations for the region’s tech ecosystem. 

The programme also offers a vibrant calendar of local tech events, organised in collaboration with the Innovation Office of the University of Basel, and the Startup Academy Basel. The future opening of the new FHNW Campus for Business and Information Technology at Dreispitz will further strengthen the community, providing a space that unites talent, inspires collaboration and actively shapes the digital future of Basel‑Stadt. 

Basel-Stadt’s Congress Promotion programme further reinforced its role in 2025 as a strategic instrument for strengthening the canton’s international visibility and convening power. By supporting high‑impact global congresses, the programme advances Basel’s position as a leading centre for Life Sciences, Digital Innovation and Sustainability - while generating valuable knowledge exchange and cross‑sector collaboration. 

The Congress Promotion programme further reinforced its role in 2025 as an effective instrument for strengthening Basel‑Stadt’s international positioning. A total of 18 international congresses with around 24,000 participants received support. The focus was placed deliberately on events with a strong thematic anchor in the canton’s strategic innovation fields - Life Sciences, Digitalisation and Sustainability. Beyond their tourism impact, these congresses generated significant network effects, knowledge transfer and collaboration opportunities between academia and industry. 

An interdisciplinary committee ensures that support is directed towards events with high innovation relevance and strong international appeal. At the same time, a sustainability framework was developed, becoming an integral part of the funding practice from 2026 onwards, with increased emphasis on ecological and social criteria. 

Through this targeted approach, Congress Promotion not only strengthens Basel’s international visibility as an innovation hub but also contributes to the long-term retention of specialist congresses, improved utilisation of local infrastructure and enhanced regional value creation. 

The Rent Relief Programme supports technology startups with specific requirements for rental space. More information here.