The awards and funding we have received both acknowledge and strengthen our innovative capacity in the fields of product engineering and the development of sustainable technologies. They ensure our visibility with key stakeholders and they help us to continue developing our economically and ecologically beneficial solutions until they are ready to be launched on the competitive market. This reinforces our impact as a successful ideas factory for wood-based technologies – benefiting both business and society.
At the same time, the awards and funding are a recognition of our commitment. They encourage us to continue wholeheartedly promoting innovative, resource-conserving solutions and business models.
ICMA Award: Best Environmentally Friendly Card
Together with partners GLS Bank and Copecto, Swiss Wood Solutions won a coveted International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) Élan Award in 2023, taking first place in the “Environmentally Friendly” category. The Élan Awards celebrate the most innovative and environmentally friendly products in the card industry.
TOP 100 Swiss Startups
A year after it was founded, Swiss Wood Solutions ranked fifth in the “Newcomers” category at the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2017 and placed 58th overall.
Falling Walls Lab Award Winner
In 2017, Swiss Wood Solutions won the Swiss Falling Walls Lab for young researchers and innovators for its technology to replace tropical timber.
Horizon 2020: EU Funding Program for Densified Wood Technology
The European Union supported our TEEWood (Technologically Enhanced European Wood) project for densified wood technology for a period of two years through its Horizon 2020 research funding program, awarding an amount of EUR 1.5 million. The aim of the project was to provide industries that depend on tropical timber, such as the musical instrument industry, alternative materials from sustainably managed European forests.
Eurostars: European Commission EUREKA Funding Program for RETWood
Eurostars supports R&D-focused SMEs with international innovation projects. Between 2019 and 2022, Swiss Wood Solutions received funding for the RETWood (Replacing Endangered Tropical Woods) project. The aim of the project, carried out in cooperation with our French partner Bois d'Harmonie, was to develop automated machining technology that would enable shaped Sonowood pieces for musical instruments to be manufactured more efficiently.
Innosuisse: Deep Learning Impulse Project
The aim of the Deep Learning impulse project that Swiss Wood Solutions carried out in collaboration with EMPA in 2019–2020 was to develop and implement a machine learning algorithm (MLA). The algorithm records and analyzes raw material and process parameters, allowing real-time predictions of product quality. The Swiss innovation promotion agency Innosuisse supported the project with funding.
Gebert Rüf Stiftung Funding for Sonowood
The foundation known as Gebert Rüf Stiftung supported two Swiss Ebony projects at Swiss Wood Solutions. The aim of these projects was to achieve the dimensional stability of natural ebony with densified local woods and to adapt the density and color to customer requirements, allowing the local wood to be used in musical instrument making in place of tropical timber from endangered rainforests.
Eureka Eurostars 3 and Horizon Europe: EU Funding for WoodCard
Swiss Wood Solutions is working with German partner Raiffeisendruckerei GmbH on the WoodCard project. The aim is to replace conventional, plastic chip cards with sustainable, fully functional, customized cards in wood and paper. These must comply with payment system standards and the specifications of e.g. Mastercard and Visa. The European Union is supporting the project via Horizon Europe, with funds from the Eureka Eurostars 3 funding program. The market launch of the wooden cards has now taken place.
Start Your Project with Swiss Wood Solutions as Your Ideas Factory.
As an incubator for sustainable, wood-based technologies and business models, we support businesses and institutions from development right through to the market rollout of resource-conserving innovations. Alongside product development, our services include market analysis, business planning, patent protection, small-batch production, certification processes and the marketing of pilot products.
Looking for an Ideas Factory for Your Next Greentech Solution?
You’ve Come to the Right Place.
We support sustainable businesses with our wood-based technology innovations and develop new business models to help them on their journey to greater sustainability. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about bespoke greentech solutions or your project idea.
