Entrepreneurship & Innovation
HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration aims to be the most entrepreneurial university in Switzerland. We conduct research, provide education and collaborate with entrepreneurs and innovative organisations to create value for Switzerland.
Turning ideas into entrepreneurial impact
We cover the entire spectrum of entrepreneurial activity, from founding and scaling to succession, and from the initial idea through to strategic transformation. We support you in forging your own path, developing existing businesses successfully and driving innovation in a focused way.
All degree and continuing education programmes at HWZ are designed to be compatible with professional commitments, enabling you to combine your studies flexibly with your career.
Core topics
We foster a mindset characterised by personal responsibility, curiosity and a solution-oriented thinking. At the same time, we provide solid business management expertise, ranging from strategic analysis and financial planning to legal fundamentals, enabling students to identify opportunities at an early stage and act on them consistently.
Through iterative validation methods, lean startup principles and design thinking, we develop solutions that address real customer needs. We support the entire process from product-solution fit and product-market fit through to successful scaling – all in an evidence-based and customer-focused manner.
Whether corporate innovation, open innovation or organisational design, we show how established organisations and start-ups can systematically design and implement innovation processes. The focus is on innovation leadership, user-centred methods and the ability to create an environment that fosters innovation.
Degree programmes
Entrepreneurship and innovation are integral components of our bachelor’s and master’s programmes. During the foundation phase, students engage with entrepreneurial thinking and can specialise in the major 'Strategic Innovation & Entrepreneurship'.
In addition to applied learning, students work on project assignments for start-ups and established organisations. In doing so, they gain insights into new business models, industries and innovation methods, and benefit from close collaboration and exchange with partner organisations.
Programme offering
Executive Education
In our executive education programmes, from SAS and CAS to MAS, we combine solid expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation with direct practical application. The programmes are designed for professionals and leaders who want to start their own business, further develop an existing organisation or build innovation processes within their organisation.
Courses are led by lecturers with proven practical experience. All our lecturers are actively engaged in entrepreneurial activities. Modular structures enable flexible, lifelong learning tailored to professional commitments and personal goals.
Continuing education offering
A business is simply an idea to make other people's lives better.
Research
Applied research with Innosuisse
In Innosuisse projects, companies and research institutions work together on innovation. We act as a research partner and support you in feasibility analysis and in validating problem-solution fit and product-market fit.
Our research is practice-oriented and directly focused on implementation in product and service development.
Contract research
Not every important research question can be addressed through public funding programmes, yet organisations still require well-founded answers. Our contract research is aimed at organisations seeking to address specific questions: How can we use new technologies such as AI in our offering? Which features does your product really need? Which target group is the right one? How do users perceive your offering?
We support you with user-centred research, ranging from qualitative interviews and usability testing to quantitative surveys and market analyses.
The goal: evidence-based decisions that move your organisation forward.
Consulting & coaching
Are you planning to start your own business? Take over a company? Foster entrepreneurial thinking and action within your organisation? Innovate your business model? We support you in doing so.
Support from students for your start-up or SME
In recent years, students from a wide range of programmes have worked on projects for more than 500 start-ups, helping new ventures achieve market entry and growth. Are you a start-up or SME? Then benefit from their support as well.
Our partners in the start-up ecosystem
HWZ maintains close partnerships with leading organisations in the Swiss start-up ecosystem
Swiss Startup Association (SSA)
The SSA is the leading umbrella organisation for start-ups in Switzerland, with over 1,800 members. It advocates for improved framework conditions and connects start-ups, investors and educational institutions. Together with the SSA, HWZ develops the CAS in Entrepreneurship to support founders from idea to company formation.
Launch Control
Launch Control is the largest start-up support programme in the Winterthur region. It supports founders from the initial idea through to scaling with incubator and accelerator programmes. HWZ students can take part in these programmes with their own business ideas and benefit from the combination of academic expertise and entrepreneurial practice.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
Contact us
Please feel free to contact us. We are looking forward to working together with you to create the future.
