Biotechnet Switzerland: Networking app for academia and business
Biotechnet Switzerland is a national competence network of universities of applied sciences and universities active in biotechnology. The aim is to make academic skills and resources transparent and accessible for private sector research and development, in the sense of public-private partnerships (PPP).
The website is intended to promote networking within universities, involve industry, and provide assistance in financing research projects.
The challenge
Biotechnet is a dynamic network with more than 50 research groups from 25 academic institutions, collaborating in thematic platforms.
The challenge was to provide all groups and their research leaders with a tool where they can independently keep their profiles up to date with their range of services and resources.
The solution: Web app with networked profiles
A structured online directory with minimal administrative effort: The core of the website consists of a database of profiles. These are organizations, thematic platforms, groups, people and projects. In addition, there are events and news.
All profiles are linked to each other, follow the same logic and can be managed independently by the responsible persons with an extremely user-friendly interface. This keeps the information up to date with minimal supervision.
By linking news and events with the profiles, participants from various organizations can exploit synergies and make contacts. The attractive presentation with portrait photos, consistent indexing and clear maps give potential partners an overview of the research skills and available infrastructure.
The same basic software is used, which has already proven itself at the partner organization «Swiss Biotech Association» since 2019 (Case Study).
Conclusion: «on time» and on the road to success
The new website went online on schedule two weeks before the major industry conference «Swiss Biotech Day 2022» after a development period of five months. Since its launch, this unique network has steadily gained influence, acquired more members and brought public research and industry closer together – an important location factor for Switzerland.
«It was great working with you, completely professional, friendly, and on time!
The workshops you organized were important for us and helped us to focus Biotechnet internally. There is still a lot to do, but we have a fantastic tool with the website.»
Laura Suter-Dick, President, Biotechnet Switzerland
