The magnificent, sloped grounds of the Swiss Embassy in Brasilia were resplendent this July as whispers of awe danced in the air, carrying flutters of prestige and possibility. There, a $500,000 AI-guided, Swiss-manufactured robotic canine named ANYmal took centre stage, opening the drama of presenting envelopes to reveal the winners of the First Swiss Sustainability and Innovation Prize in Brazil.
As the bot lowered its front legs in recognisable natural motion to bow so the envelopes could be picked up from its payload, the moment exuded an aura of technological marvel. And that was precisely the point, according to Swiss Ambassador to Brazil Pietro Lazzeri — prestige, possibility and innovation wrapped in a robust package of support to provide an impact that extends far beyond mere recognition.
By shining a light on the exceptional, the Swiss say the prize aims to elevate the pursuit of sustainability and transformative change through innovation.
The inaugural event honoured Brazilian and Swiss companies and startups that prioritise corporate sustainability and embrace innovation as integral elements of their business strategies and institutional culture to showcase their innovative approaches.
For business, academic, and government-to-government relations, the occasion marked a significant milestone fostering a collective vision and planting a joint flag of cooperation, sustainable growth, innovation, and environmental protection in the epicenter of the world’s climate crisis.
It was the culmination of a two-year effort that began to build on Switzerland's decade-long distinction as "the most innovative country in the world," as per the Global Innovation Index of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Ambassador Lazzeri emphasised the rating's significance as a catalyst for economic and social progress, laying the foundation for Switzerland's initiative in Brazil. With his embassy at the forefront, he led the campaign to establish the prize, to raise awareness of Swiss accomplishments and contributions in science, research, and innovation within Brazil.
It is a project tailor-made for Brazil, he explained. "A Brazilian-size project. We are pioneering here, because the mix between innovation and sustainability is badly needed."
Expanding the vision into a concrete use of Switzerland's DNA in technology and innovation, Lazzeri said the prize was structured to pair "a problem with a solution that can transform itself into an advantage because we have high technology and an innovation environment that allows a company to project,"
Brazil has great potential, he said, and "sometimes you really need to promote that potential." Thus, the prize.
"It was urgent, and it was relevant to start in Brazil since Brazil is for us a priority country in South America in terms of innovation but also sustainability and so it has been a pilot project which will be organised on a yearly basis," explained the Swiss ambassador.
The embassy began by getting together Swiss agencies with in-depth knowledge of Swiss and Brazilian markets, a Brazilian non-profit, and some 20 private companies. Together, they crafted the structure of the prize and worked to create the award as to set an independent evaluator for those competing for the award.
"We have all those Swiss actors participating with the Brazilian partners," said Lazzeri, pointing out that former Swiss president Guy Parmelin, who headed the Swiss delegation to Brazil as its economics minister, brought with him a large private contingent, which created a positive impact in Brazil.
On a parallel track, speaking at the awards ceremony in English, Minister Parmelin announced a R$30 million (approximately USD 6.15 million) contribution as Switzerland's partnership in the Amazon Fund, putting a number to an earlier promise on environmental conservation as the framework a long-term partnership between the two countries.
Recipients of the first-ever award include Ambipar, a Brazilian company for its “excellence in sustainable practices for setting industry benchmarks, contributing to Brazil's sustainable development goals.” On the Swiss side, Hilti, a recognised global leader in sustainability, was honoured for consistently embedding sustainable practices into its operations, and “showcasing the transformative power of innovative approaches to driving environmental progress.”
The uniqueness of the prize for these companies lies in the collaboration between Swiss and Brazilian counterparts, a remarkable aspect that sets it apart. The aim is to create an ongoing joint venture that encompasses the strengths and contributions of both nations, say the Swiss organisers.
Highlighting the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, the awards also honoured two startups. Yatto, a Brazilian startup, for being at the forefront of introducing sustainable innovation, tackling sustainability challenges On the Swiss side, Groam Tech was honoured for its disruptive technologies, positioning itself as a key player in driving sustainable development through innovative solutions.
The award provides ongoing support for the startups through training, business plans, and putting them in contact with big actors in research and the business world, “to move them to unicorn status,” explained Ambassador Lazzeri. "They have a package of support, a most important component of the award,"
A unicorn is a private company that reaches a valuation of over $1 billion.
The focus of this year's award was waste management. From waste you can create energy and it is in that dynamic that Ambassador Lazzeri sees global impact. "A problem with a solution can transform itself into an advantage," he said.
So, this was the challenge—take a problem and through technology and innovation transform it into an asset. This approach embodies the spirit of the award, not merely problem-solving, but leveraging opportunities, say the Swiss.
Switzerland's culture of advanced technology and innovation is in line with this principle, noted Lazzeri, while Brazil possesses significant untapped potential, requiring targeted promotion.
Yet the long-term significance lies in the added value of ongoing workshops that have been established to foster continued work and collaboration beyond the award itself, sustaining the partnership between the two countries in prioritizing and promoting sustainability, innovation, and environmental preservation.
Rooted in a tradition of recognizing exceptional achievement, Swiss prizes have emerged as catalysts for advancement in diverse fields. The origins of these prizes can be traced back to a deep-seated Swiss commitment to excellence and a resolute belief in the power of recognition.
For Switzerland, Brazil is strategically important as its largest trading partner in Latin America and is the base for numerous Swiss companies in the sub-continent. Since 2008, the two countries’ strategic partnership fosters cooperation across political exchanges, a robust economic collaboration, and partnerships in education, research, and innovation.
Even so, this collaboration between Switzerland and Brazil in the First Swiss Sustainability and Innovation Prize marks a significant milestone, escalating their bilateral relationship.
The marquis event was the first of what both countries see as a permanent effort between Switzerland and Brazil. The Swiss culture of advanced technology aligns with Brazil's untapped potential in this prize; that was at the center of the awards stage, while its tradition of recognizing exceptional achievement reflected Swiss priority and focus on innovation and sustainability in Latin America.
