The Pionierpreis, which is awarded by Zürcher Kantonalbank and Technopark Zürich, recognizes the commitment and risk-taking of start-ups and honours a particularly exciting and promising technical project each year that is on the threshold of market entry.
The prize is set at 98,696.04 Swiss francs – an unusual sum, but a figure with symbolic meaning. It corresponds to 10,000 times the value of the number Pi squared and thus stands for strength, foresight and fascination. The other two finalists each receive 1,000 times the value of Pi Square.
As one of the most important innovation prizes in Switzerland, the Pionierpreis not only provides young companies with additional capital and a desirable quality label, but also offers them a stage on which they can present themselves to the public. The award ceremony in spring is attended by well-known personalities from politics and business as well as various media representatives.