Where food innovation takes root: finding the right space in Switzerland

Finding your first home base in Switzerland’s food innovation landscape isn’t just about square meterage. It’s about landing somewhere that understands your mission and helps you to thrive. From science-ready labs to field-side campuses, here’s how two Valley partners featured in the SFNV Navigator are helping innovators settle in and scale up fast.

Oana Vrabie, Vice President Marketing/Co-Founder, House of Lab Science (Hombrechtikon and Kemptthal)

Q: What’s unique about your lab facilities?

At the House of Lab Science we don’t just rent out lab space, we offer Lab-as-a-Service. That means fully equipped, food-grade, BSL-1 and BSL-2 labs ready to go from day one, with shared equipment like autoclaves, glassware washers, cold storage and even office space. No upfront CAPEX, no months-long fit-out delays, no drama. Just plug in, start your R&D, and scale.

What makes us truly unique is that with our brand new location in The Valley Kemptthal, you’re landing right in the heart of Switzerland’s most exciting food innovation hub. Across the street are The Cultured Hub (offering Scale-up-as-a-Service), Planted and Givaudan — it’s a foodtech ecosystem where collaborations spark over coffee, as often as in boardrooms.

We’ve also built an online community platform – a private network and marketplace where members enjoy exclusive deals on lab-specific services and equipment, plus direct access to investors, accelerators, and curated events. Combine that with our unbeatable location (10 minutes from Zurich Airport, 30 from Zurich’s main station, 5 from Winterthur) and you’re not just in a premium lab at the best price in Switzerland: you’re perfectly connected for global growth.

Q: Who’s a good fit for your location?

If you’re working in alternative proteins, cellular agriculture, precision fermentation, functional ingredients & wellness, food safety diagnostics, or longevity & healthy aging technologies – or any science-driven food innovation – you’ll hit the ground running here. And here’s the game-changer: we combine infrastructure and services, embedding you in the full innovation value chain. From concept and R&D to pilot production and investor readiness, you get more than lab space: you get the ecosystem advantage from day one, accelerating your path to market.

Q: Have you got a tip for first-time Swiss lab users?

Plan your compliance journey early, and choose a partner who can take you through it without slowing your science. Switzerland’s standards are rigorous, and rightly so – but with our guidance on certifications, safety protocols, waste management or audits, you can meet them efficiently and focus on innovation. We’ve helped dozens of companies navigate this path successfully, accelerating time-to-market while maintaining technical excellence.

Find out more about House of Lab Science

Tamer Amr, Managing Director, Horgen Labs (Horgen, Zurich)

Q: What kind of innovators thrive at Horgen Labs?

We’re home to bold thinkers transforming what the world eats and how it’s made. From fermentation pioneers to novel ingredient developers, Foodtech and Life Sciences companies thrive in our purpose-built labs. Whether your just starting out, scaling or an established business, Horgen Labs offers the space, support, and right setting to accelerate your journey

Q: What makes Horgen Labs different?

Horgen Labs offers more than space – we provide a dynamic campus setting home to many other Swiss innovators – a growing research cluster which we will be adding a new lab facility to to meet demand. Nestled in a serene campus a few minutes walk from the lake, , we combine 20,000 m² of ready-to-use labs, offices, and production space with access to Switzerland’s vibrant innovation network. Startups can move in tomorrow and scale seamlessly as they grow, with room to expand and a community designed for breakthroughs.

Q: Do you have any tips for newcomers to Switzerland?

Switzerland rewards quality, precision, and partnership. Take time to understand local expectations and build relationships – especially within the rich Greater Zürich innovation network. Leverage local programmes, join ecosystem events, and don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ve found the community here to be welcoming, collaborative, and eager to support bold ideas with real potential.

Find out more about Horgen Labs

The SFNV Navigator is your guide to scaling in the Swiss food ecosystem.

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