Message from Andreas Rickenbacher and Alexandre Pauchard
Andreas Rickenbacher, Chair of the Board of Directors
Alexandre Pauchard, Chief Executive Officer
What drives CSEM?
Developing sustainable solutions for some of society’s most pressing challenges. Partnering with like-minded organizations, from start-ups to multinationals, we develop cutting-edge technologies before transferring them to market. Such innovations generate in turn a positive impact on our customers’ profitability, on society, and on the environment.
As an innovation factory participating in national and European projects, CSEM helps meet the needs of sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, watchmaking, and aerospace. Internal transversal programs connect technologies, producing synergies which in turn boost creativity. The space and support we offer give innovation no chance but to flourish. They come along with our broad customer base, advanced infrastructure and labs, professional IP support, impactful events, and intrapreneurial access to grant programs. Serious entrepreneurs and start-ups using science to develop new products are guaranteed a warm welcome, often much more.
CSEM’s Battery Innovation Hub was opened in February 2023, thanks to the support of the Cantonal Bank of Neuchâtel. It designs energy solutions such as battery systems, storage technologies, and energy optimization algorithms. And sustainability? CSEM will never see it as just a box to be checked. Examples of sustainability-focused activities include solar modules for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and lightweight products for various mobility applications, as well as our leadership in ultra-low-power microelectronics.
Dedicated to digital health, our site in Bern received approval from the canton’s Grand Council to expand in June 2023. This milestone strengthened our collaboration with our partners, the Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, and the University of Bern, to develop state-of-the-art solutions for the health sector.
At the Annual General Meeting in June, we bid farewell to Claude Nicollier, whose unconditional support and extraordinary humanity made their mark on the history of CSEM. During his 16-year presidency, revenues increased by 83% and the number of employees by 75%. These developments, along with continuous support from our partners and customers, grew CSEM’s annual turnover by an impressive 7.1%. That’s 107.6 million Swiss francs in 2023. With our partners, we also filed nine new patent families, showcasing once again our ability to generate novel solutions. Moreover, our work with customers had a lasting and positive impact on the Swiss economy, contributing to innovation, technological excellence and job creation in various domains and markets. CSEM alone has created 24 new jobs.
In 2024, we will celebrate 40 years of innovation and technology transfer, focusing as ever on our three priorities: digital technologies, precision manufacturing, and sustainable energy. We will also pursue new partnerships and collaborations that enhance our network and reach.
Thank you for your interest in CSEM.
CSEM's innovation factory
