The Ark

Valuing research for economic benefit and supporting the creation of start-ups!

Created in 2004, The Ark Foundation provides various services to help with the conception, establishment, growth and success of companies in Valais. These services are aimed at existing SMEs in search of something innovative, as well as up-and-coming technology start-ups. As part of the Energypolis Campus, The Ark’s main mission is to help researchers translate their research results into marketable products or services.

Through concrete actions, The Ark offers services which encourage Valais’s economic players to be creative and innovative. To achieve this, The Ark promotes the development of new knowledge from specialised schools and from national and cantonal research institutes.

The Ark embodies the strategy developed by cantonal authorities to create a genuine technology hub in Valais. Unusually, this hub has several sites (seven technological sites spread across Visp, Sierre, Sion, Conthey, Martigny, Le Châble and Monthey). Through CimArk SA, the organisation also provides researchers and entrepreneurs with support services and the tools required for implementing innovative projects.