Even the «best ever idea» remains an idea until it gets implemented.

In early phases, economic actors, graduates, entrepreneurs and researchers find it hard to generate attention, gain access to best practices and leverage local business networks. As a Cluster, Alp ICT is by essence a body which brings together expertise from different quarters, thus helping the actors nurture each other.

Business opportunities

Alp ICT fosters business opportunities by disseminating to its members calls for projects from regional, national and international bodies. Participating businesses will be selected either by Alp ICT or, in some cases, by the organiser of the event / the organisation putting out the request, on the basis of an application typically consisting in a letter of intent and a technical description of the companies’ core competence.
Each year, the Cluster also organises or participates in one or two venture trips abroad. Depending on the nature of the trip, participants either come at their own cost or, when the Cluster financially supports start-ups and SMEs wishing to join, these are selected after a call for application.

Efficient networking for SMEs

The success of an SME depends on its ability to spread the word. They may have the best ideas or concepts in the world, but are often held back by a lack of networking ability. Alp ICT’s role is twofold. First, the cluster assists them with self-promotion and getting media attention through the ICTjournal, articles in dedicated magazines and, as the case may be, with press releases. In addition, Alp ICT runs a Twitter account as well as a facebook page and a blog which allows companies to publicize their products and concepts.
Second, Alp ICT helps SMEs reach the right business connections through its vast business network. They get invited to key, high-visibility promotional events where they can broadly pitch their ideas.

Alp ICT actively promotes the creation of value by laying particular emphasis on the following three areas:

Supporting internationalization

Through the dissemination of call for applications, Alp ICT provides first class access to international business events or hubs. Potential development partners offering a serious hi-tech track record are identified and, together with existing Swiss local representations such as embassies, development hubs or facilitators, Alp ICT organises business trips or events tailor-made to respond to existing demands. Trips such as Lift Asia allowed participating companies to clinch major business deals or strike acquaintances critical to their internationalization.

A platform geared to Open Innovation

Alp ICT has assembled a proven set of high tech experts from various backgrounds: businesses, leading edge research institutes and affiliated facilitators. The Cluster identifies institutions’ key expertise areas and matches them against companies with corresponding needs. Through joining forces, all partners – be they research institutes, incubators, start-ups, medium or large businesses - get the most out of the network. This win-win relationship is particularly conducive to Open Innovation, which occurs when the joining of forces increases the value chain and generates the critical mass needed to become a market leader. – exemple -- Alp ICT encourages Open Innovation by organising regular events and using its connections to foster cross-fertilisation.
Alp ICT also commissions surveys on the IT sector in Western Switzerland which help actors keep abreast of developments, be they technological or linked to the market.

Research facilitation

Switzerland allocates to R&D 3% of its GDP and ranks 6^th among the countries which devote the largest budget to research. Thislong term policy keeps innovation lively and enables businesses specialising in manufacturing and high end technologies to retain a leading edge.
In the many research programmes being run within these various institutions, collaboration is international, whether for fundamental or for applied research. This gives local companies, even very small ones, an unparalleled opportunity of accessing the latest technological breakthroughs they need to achieve the international development they aim for. Therefore, academic institutions feature prominently in Alp ICT’s network.