On Monday 7 March 2022, Mr Thierry Obrist was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Microcity SA. Mr. Obrist thus takes over a position that became vacant in November 2021, following the departure of its former holder, Mrs. Caroline Heid.

Before proposing a candidate to the shareholders, the State Council has examined different candidates for this position and has chosen Mr Thierry Obrist. Mr. Obrist's proven experience in the field of business and innovation, his dynamism, his strong Neuchâtel roots as well as his important activity within the economic and academic circles of our region, convinced it that this profile was ideal to take up the numerous challenges of the position of President of Microcity.

Thierry Obrist, 39 years old, is fluent in German and English and holds a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in international taxation and a doctorate in law from the University of Neuchâtel.  He continued his specialization by obtaining a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Economics and Public Finance from the same University. For the past 6 years, he has been a founding partner of the law firm LE/AX in Neuchâtel and, at the same time, holds a position as Professor of Tax Law at the University of Neuchâtel. Passionate about taxation and innovation, Mr. Obrist is also co-founder and academic co-leader of the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in SME taxation, a continuing education program offered jointly with the HE-Arc.

In this position, Mr. Obrist will be in charge of revitalizing the collaboration between the actors of the Neuchâtel innovation cluster, of continuing to increase its visibility and notoriety at the local, national and international levels, and of ensuring that the services offered are able to meet the needs of start-ups, SMEs and large technology-based companies wishing to undertake or develop innovation processes or projects in the canton.

Mr. Obrist is delighted to take up this new challenge, which will enable him to promote and stimulate the canton's innovation ecosystem, and to make a commitment to the region's economic fabric.

As a reminder, Microcity SA, heir to the Neode technology park, was created to stimulate, accelerate and promote technological innovation in the canton of Neuchâtel. It provides daily support to regional entrepreneurs (start-ups, SMEs or large groups) by offering a wide range of services that meet their needs as closely as possible: establishing contacts, setting up projects, seeking financing, promotion, and network management. In addition, it enables companies to collaborate with the local research and technology transfer ecosystem: EPFL, CSEM, HE-Arc or UniNE.