I+D Campus fosters innovation in the canton of Thurgau

(CONNECT) On 18 February 2026, the Swiss canton of Thurgau launched the I+D Campus, a center of excellence that supports representatives from business, research, educational institutions, and other organizations in all things innovation. “Here, every good idea receives a boost so that it doesn't end up in a drawer, but on the market,” said I+D Campus Managing Director Meinrad Koch in his welcome speech. 

The event also saw the official opening of Thurgau Institute for Digital Transformation (TIDIT) as the research arm of the campus. The Kreuzlingen site hosts the Startnetzwerk too, as a contact point for startups and for co-working spaces. The campus was based on an initiative from Thurgau Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK TG). As a financial basis, I+D Campus and TIDIT each received 10 million Swiss francs from the IPO of Thurgauer Kantonalbank (TKB). The long-term goal is to achieve self-financing.

“We want to promote innovation in the canton, because many of our SMEs do not have their own research and development departments,” explained IHK TG President and member of the Swiss parliament Kris Vietze on stage. Now, she added, anyone interested can efficiently access services, deepen networks, and share ideas at the campus. IHK TG Director Jérôme Müggler said: “This is the first time that something like this has been created in Thurgau. The foundation and the building are in place – we are now working with our partners on shaping the interior.” Müggler has been involved in the project for years and currently chairs the I+D Campus Foundation Board.

The campus brings together expertise from throughout the regional ecosystem. In addition to the startup network, this includes Thurgau University of Teacher Education, Thurgau Technology Forum, and partners in neighboring Germany. Legally, TIDIT is supported by the Thurgau Foundation for Science and Research, but academically it is affiliated with the University of Konstanz and Konstanz University of Applied Sciences (HTWG Konstanz).

“Our research aims to ensure that better decisions are made on the basis of large amounts of data,” emphasized TIDIT Managing Director Caroline Obolensky, citing fleet management in the logistics sector as an example of its application. The institute reportedly wants to help Thurgau-based companies successfully master the digital transformation and make the canton even more attractive to skilled workers – for example, by offering doctoral positions as part of its research projects.

In a keynote speech, Stephan Siegrist outlined the importance of innovation and digital transformation for the Thurgau economy. The founder and director of the Zurich think tank W.I.R.E. emphasized the strong starting position of even small economic areas. “It's about doing things, not following every trend,” he said. With an abundance of ideas, Siegrist believes that the ability to choose right is the decisive factor. ce/yvh