In 2024, The Ark Foundation celebrates two decades of commitment to innovation and economic development in Valais. Founded in 2004, The Ark has become an essential pillar of support for entrepreneurs and researchers, accompanying them every step of the way.
To mark this anniversary, The Ark is rolling out a series of initiatives, with a particular focus on the younger generation. The aim is to inspire new entrepreneurs and spark a growing interest in innovation and entrepreneurship among young people.
The main activities planned to celebrate 20 years of existence are as follows:
Workshops at the heart of Valais entrepreneurship
This autumn, The Ark will be offering a program of immersive workshops for young people in Valais, involving 15 classes and 300 students. Starting in September, students will spend half a day immersed in small and medium-sized businesses to discover innovation up close. In October, they will be introduced to Design Thinking in class, learning to solve business problems in a creative and collaborative way. The session will conclude in November with a presentation of their solutions to the participating companies. With the contribution of 11 innovative companies and 5 expert coaches, this program aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs while strengthening the links between education and the professional world.
Open days
The Ark promotes open days at various Valais companies. These events give the public an up-close look at the innovation developed in these local companies. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit production sites, meet the teams and understand how these companies contribute to innovation. Find out more about the upcoming open house via this link.
“In the banana of…”
The Ark Foundation invites the public to explore the world of Valais innovation through a series of videos entitled “Dans la banane de…”. From September to early December 2024, these videos, broadcast on The Ark’s social networks, will spotlight 20 local companies. Each episode will feature exclusive interviews with company managers, who will present five iconic objects reflecting their know-how and history. Young people aged 15 to 20 will also have the chance to enter a competition linked to these videos, and win their very own banana customized in The Ark’s colors.
Innovation Party
The Innovation Party will be the closing event marking the 20th anniversary, a special invitation-only celebration designed to bring generations together. This special moment will be an opportunity to warmly thank all those who have contributed to the success of this important milestone. In a festive and convivial atmosphere, the Innovation Party will celebrate not only the past, but also the future, honoring the innovation and intergenerational collaboration that have been at the heart of this success story.