The private sector is strongly implicated in research and development. Switzerland makes every effort to encourage researchers to commercialise their inventions and discoveries.

The CTI is the state's innovation promotion agency, working under the slogan „science to market." The Swiss technology transfer association swiTT was established in 2003 to promote technology transfer between public research institutions and the private sector.

The Swiss universities have services to advise researchers on setting up their own enterprises or on cooperating with existing companies. Also contributing to technology transfer is the network of technology parks.