Vice Presidency for Innovation and Impact (VPI)
Aerial view of the EPFL Innovation Park © EPFL innovation Park
About
The Vice Presidency for Innovation and Impact (VPI) fosters an entrepreneurial spirit across all EPFL communities – students, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and professors. It supports future entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, responding to their specific needs. Through its programs, funding schemes, and connections to the innovation ecosystem, the VPI accelerates the development of future startups and helps them validate their market potential.
It facilitates knowledge and technology transfer by supporting collaboration between research and industry. The Industry Liaison Office plays a key role in this process by assisting both EPFL researchers in their projects with industry and companies seeking to collaborate with EPFL laboratories.
The VPI plays a central role in the development of the EPFL Innovation Park, a unique hub hosting companies in an environment that stimulates innovation and strategic collaboration, as well as in the coordination of the Switzerland Innovation Park Network West EPFL in partnership with cantonal offices.
Finally, through its Science Outreach Department, the VPI is committed to sparking interest in science and technology among young people, stimulating their curiosity, and strengthening scientific culture in society through a broad range of educational activities for schools and the general public.
Organizational structure
Vice President
I intend to further EPFL’s efforts to forge links with the business world and society at large. That will help anchor our School’s – and Switzerland’s – position in a world where it’s crucial to remain at the cutting edge of technological innovation. Every innovation has an impact, and our task will be to ensure that our impact on society will be positive going forward.
Resources and links
Activities of the Vice Presidency for Innovation and Impact
Entrepreneurship and Startups
EPFL sees entrepreneurship as a key driver of future research. Through its Startup Launchpad, it offers aspiring entrepreneurs a comprehensive range of tools, funding opportunities, and hands-on support to transform scientific innovation into successful startups.
Industry Collaboration
EPFL fosters links between cutting-edge research and industry to address scientific, technological, and societal challenges. The Industry Liaison Office encourages and supports companies wishing to collaborate with EPFL.
Science Outreach Department
EPFL organizes a wide range of scientific and technical activities for young people, school classes, and the general public, with the goal of promoting science and technology and actively contributing to the development of the next generation in STEM fields in Switzerland.
Latest news
Contact
Vice Presidency for Innovation and Impact (VPI)
EPFL Innovation Park
Bâtiment J
1015 Lausanne