Our innovation ecosystem
Precision, Reliability, Complexity

Based on three centuries of industrial expertise, the know-how of the canton of Neuchâtel is reflected in an exceptional dynamism throughout the innovation chain, from idea to product. Its companies know how to adapt and develop miniaturized, reliable, complex and high value-added products.

Today, the Canton of Neuchâtel is an international leader in micro-nanotechnologies and micro-manufacturing applied to health, energy, mobility and space exploration.

Microcity brings together the players of the Canton of Neuchâtel within an innovation network that is unique in the world, of impressive richness and rare density, and facilitates the valorization and access to their skills.

Microcity's matchmaking platform

Discover our matchmaking platform to identify skills and partners.

In brief

Key figures

1000+

researchers

7000+

students

7

Teaching and Research Institutions

800+

Annual technology transfer projects

6000+

Apprentis

the INSTITUTeS
Microcity can rely on the skills of 7 research and training institutes
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Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM)

The CSEM is a Swiss non-profit technological research organization based on a public-private partnership. Its mission is to preserve the competitiveness of industry through innovation. A link between research and industry, the CSEM translates research results into innovative processes or products in order to contribute to economic and social progress. The CSEM aspires to be the leader in Switzerland in terms of innovation and technology transfer in the fields of micro- and deep-tech.

450+ researchers and technical specialists

200+ industrial clients

80+ MCHF in turnover

  • Microsystems technology
  • Systems engineering
  • Ultra-low power integrated systems
  • Surface engineering
  • Photovoltaics and energy management
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EPFL — Institute of Microengineering (IMT)

EPFL is the most cosmopolitan of European technical universities. It welcomes more than 15'000 students, professors and collaborators of more than 120 nationalities. Neuchâtel is home to an important part of the EPFL Institute of Microengineering (IMT). The interdisciplinarity and the ITM's ability to develop devices and microcomponents and to integrate them into functional microsystems make it a particularly attractive institute for industrial partners in fields as diverse as health, safety, space, communication or watchmaking.

250+ professors and scientific collaborators

10 chaires

  • Micro-Fabrication Research Center (M2C)
  • Microelectronics and flexible electronics
  • Optics and photonics
  • Photovoltaic
  • Micromechanical and watchmaking design (Patek Philipp Chair)
  • Center for Artificial Muscles
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University of Neuchâtel (UniNE)

The University of Neuchâtel is made up of four faculties (science, law, economics, humanities) which welcome some 4,200 students, 50% of whom come from other Swiss cantons and 22% from abroad. UniNE offers a broad program of studies and research in innovative fields that meet the needs of society. These areas are found in particular within thirteen teaching and research themes in which UniNE has key competences.

5000+ students, professors and collaborators

40+ disciplines

9 competence centers

  • Time-frequency and optical metrology
  • Complex Systems and Big Data
  • Intellectual property and innovation
  • interdisciplinary master's degree in innovation
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University of Applied Sciences (HE-Arc)

The HE-Arc was created in 2004 in order to bring together the University of Applied Sciences forces of the three cantons of the Jura Arc (Neuchâtel, Jura, Bern). The UAS are bridges between scientific research and the business world. They translate advances in basic science into applicable technologies and products. Guided by a desire for innovation, creativity, dynamism and transparency, the HE-Arc thus pursues the main missions entrusted to it by the Confederation in the fields of education and research, in direct contact with the economic and industrial fabric of the Jura Arc.

3000+ students, professors et collaborators

4 fields (engineering, management, health, conservation-restoration)

11 engineering skill groups

  • Smart & Micro-manufacturing
  • Smart Sensing &digitalization
  • Watchmaking & industrial luxury
  • Health & medical technologies
  • MicroLean Lab Experimentation Center
  • Digitalization of organizations
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Professionnal Center Littoral Neuchâtelois (CPLN)

The Centre professionnel du Littoral neuchâtelois (CPLN) was created in 1974 by the grouping together of vocational schools located in the municipal territory of the city of Neuchâtel. Today, the Centre professionnel du Littoral neuchâtelois (CPLN) is made up of units characterized by their specific fields of training.

Training

  • Techniques
  • Trade and management
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Earth and nature
  • Drugstore
  • Higher education
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Interregional Training Centre of the Neuchâtel Mountains (CIFOM)

The cifom is a professional training institution that contributes to the perpetuation of short-, medium- and long-term know-how of the regional economic fabric in the fields of applied arts, technology, business and management, as well as health and social services.

Training

  • Tertiary sector
  • Technique
  • Applied Arts
  • Training for adults
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Swiss Foundation for Research in Microtechnology (FSRM)

The FSRM Swiss Foundation for Research in Microtechnology was established in 1978 by the Swiss Confederation, cantons, cities, professional associations and 24 companies.

150+ training courses

  • Micro-technology
  • Management
  • Sale
  • Marketing
  • And many other areas...