US delegation discusses stateside business opportunities with Swiss SMEs
Root - SMEs from Central Switzerland had the chance to discuss their business opportunities in the USA with experts at the “Blueprint for Success in the USA” event hosted by Technopark Luzern. Embassy staff and experts from a high-profile US delegation also contributed their specialist knowledge.
SMEs from Central Switzerland that export to the USA received information from experts based on both sides of the Atlantic concerning tariffs, investments and business success during an event hosted by Technopark Luzern on September 23. Held under the title «Blueprint for Success in the USA», invitations to the event were issued by the Technopark and the US Desk of the law firm Kaufmann Rüedi, while experts from the USA and staff from the US Embassy in Bern were also in attendance.
According to the invitation, real-world case studies, direct access to US decision-makers and actionable strategies were on offer with the aim of empowering stakeholders «to not just survive - but thrive - in America’s high-stakes market». The keynote speech at the main event was given by Peter E. Braun, CEO of PHENOGY. The company, which has developed an innovative large-scale sodium-ion storage system for renewable energy, has only recently established its US headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina. Braun informed how his company, founded in 2019 and based in Root in the Swiss canton of Lucerne, has overcome market barriers, managed to comply with complex regulations and built up partnerships with major institutions in the USA.
According to a statement issued by Technopark Luzern, valuable insights were provided by Chargé d’Affaires Bradford Bell from the US Department of State and Sandro Galambos from the US Department of Commerce, as well as by Megan Anderson from the Charleston Regional Development Alliance and Amy Cares from the South Carolina I-77 Alliance. The meeting reportedly deepened Swiss-American partnerships and opened up new opportunities for cross-border innovation: «Witnessing Swiss innovation - ranked No. 1 globally by WIPO for the 15th year - turn into cross-Atlantic solutions fills us with optimism».
