Helping the Valais economy grow

The Ark Foundation assists entrepreneurs from day to day. It is also helping to prepare the Valais economy for tomorrow’s major trends, thereby boosting the resilience and diversity of the canton’s economic fabric.

It does this by implementing specific programmes backed by the new regional policy (NPR) and the Canton of Valais which explore new opportunities for development and identify potential for innovation in existing and future communities. These programmes place the emphasis on the digital transformation of businesses and also on sustainability.

The Ark rolls out practical initiatives in the following priority areas:

Resource and regional management

Like the other regions of Switzerland, Valais is committed to protecting its climate and natural resources and optimising energy management. Digitalisation has an important part to play in this drive, and the Valais economy must be in a position to embrace this two-pronged transition to digital technology and sustainability.

The Water programme introduced in 2021 and coordinated by The Ark is raising awareness of and bringing together water industry stakeholders and the general public around the challenges facing our water supply. It directly supports innovations and is helping to develop a network of specialists in the field. Water management is also the main focus of the BlueArk technology site in Entremont, a life-size laboratory where digital technologies are tested and continually improved. Here, pilot projects are developed with and for businesses. Events such as the BlueArk Conference are also excellent ways of bringing together the community on the subject of water.

When it comes to energy, The Ark is backing a host of initiatives including EnovArk, developed in collaboration with the energy company OIKEN. Open to the whole of Valais, this innovation hub for the energy transition fosters emerging innovation projects and accelerates their realisation and rollout.

Healthcare, sport and performance

The Ark Foundation has been active in healthcare digitalisation since the early 2010s through various initiatives such as Swiss Digital Health and more recently the S.M.A.R.T. Confluence community, which works to promote innovation in healthcare and sport. These programmes, coupled with inspirational and networking initiatives and events, successfully spread the word, bring stakeholders together and develop the Valais economy in these areas.

Another of The Ark’s initiatives, through the SpArk technology site, is a new hub dedicated to the science and technology of movement. The goal is to position Valais as a leading Swiss canton for digital healthcare and sport.

Biotech and pharma 4.0

Digitalisation and sustainability are also crucial issues for the biotech and pharmaceuticals industries, in Valais just as elsewhere. Given the importance of this sector to the canton’s economy, for several years now The Ark has been introducing initiatives to step up digitalisation and sustainability in the field. As in other areas, it is doing this by creating a community of businesses and individuals and through innovative projects.

This community comes under the BioArk umbrella, which takes in the sites at Visp and Monthey and flies the flag for the life sciences in Valais. Since 2021, a variety of innovative projects have been set up to further the use of digital technology by pharma and biotech companies.

Industry, commerce and other areas

The rise of AI has opened up a host of exciting new opportunities for businesses. In response, The Ark has launched a variety of projects to assist businesses with this digital transition, for example in mechanical and electrical engineering and related branches, along with other sectors. The objective is to create demonstrators that illustrate the benefits of these new technologies for the management, growth and profitability of businesses.

These initiatives are also backed by the Swiss Digital Center, which spearheads the canton’s digitalisation strategy.