OPI, Office of Promotion of Industries and Technologies

What OPI, Office of Promotion of Industries and Technologies does

OPI (Office de Promotion des Industries et des Technologies) is a private-law foundation established in 1976 and domiciled in Plan-les-Ouates (Geneva canton), Switzerland, operating as the principal institutional interface between Geneva's SMEs and the cantonal and federal innovation support apparatus. Its service portfolio comprises four pillars: (1) subsidized strategic coaching delivered through its role as the Geneva antenna of the SECO-funded platinn program for Western Switzerland; (2) R&D project accompaniment, including annual feasibility study calls with up to CHF 15,000 per study and the newer Fonds Installation Pilote (FIP) offering up to CHF 50,000 per pilot installation, channeled through partnerships with UNIGE, HES-SO Genève, and HEPIA; (3) ecosystem animation, in which OPI hosts and coordinates sectoral platforms (Alp ICT for digital, GAIN for aerospace, GENIE.CH for industrial ecology, Industrie-Genève); and (4) thought-leadership outputs including four sector press reviews (aerospace, watchmaking, Industry 4.0, AI) and the Geneva Industry Barometer produced with KOF ETH Zurich. Membership tiers range from CHF 500 (1-10 employees) to CHF 5,500 (1,001+ employees) annually and grant access to events, networking, and project manager support.

Operationally, OPI runs a lean team of approximately 15 people led by Director Hélène Gache, with a Foundation Council that includes representatives from the Canton of Geneva (OCEI), HES-SO Genève, the University of Geneva, UIG, CCIG, and member companies. The go-to-market is relationship-driven, combining direct engagement by project managers, recurring events (EPHJ, Salon des Inventions, Afterwork sessions, Adopt a Skill), newsletters, and curated sector content. In 2024 the foundation reported 109 companies supported through platinn coaching across 159 sessions and 10 feasibility-study projects. Customer segments are Geneva-based SMEs active in traditional industry, new technologies, R&D, engineering, and industry-related services.

OPI is not a technology company. Its competitive moat is structural rather than technical — 50 years of Geneva ecosystem knowledge, multi-stakeholder governance, exclusive distribution of public innovation programs, and a hosted platform portfolio that creates switching costs for member companies. Revenue derives from a mix of annual membership subscriptions, subsidized coaching services, and administration of cantonal/federal R&D subsidies; no revenue figure is publicly disclosed.

Name

OPI, Office of Promotion of Industries and Technologies

Legal name

Office de Promotion des Industries et des Technologies

Website

https://opi.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OPI is a Geneva-based private law foundation founded in 1976 that subsidizes coaching, R&D feasibility studies, and pilot-installation grants, and animates sectoral platforms for SMEs and industrial companies across Western Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME business support and industrial innovation services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHALAB

Competitive Intelligence & Benchmarking

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Research, Analytics & Expert Services

SECONDARYEDABAKAH

Operational Excellence (OPEX) & Performance Management (KPI/OKR)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Operations, Quality & Lean/Six Sigma Training

Keywords

• SME business support
• Innovation coaching
• R&D project facilitation
• Industrial ecosystem networking
• Feasibility study funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Plan-les-ouates

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees based on company size (1-10 employees: 500 CHF; 11-40: 800 CHF; 41-70: 1,500 CHF; 71-100: 2,500 CHF; 101-300: 3,500 CHF; 301-500: 4,500 CHF; 501-1000: 5,000 CHF; 1001+: 5,500 CHF).
2. platinn Coaching Services: First phases of coaching are fully subsidized through SECO funding. OPI serves as the Geneva antenna of the platinn program for Western Switzerland cantons.
3. R&D Project Subsidies: OPI provides financial support for feasibility studies (up to CHF 15,000 per study) and FIP (Fonds Installation Pilote) grants up to CHF 50,000 for pilot installations. Funded by cantonal and federal sources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

OPI is a private-law foundation providing subsidized business support services to Geneva-based SMEs and industrial firms. Its core offerings include platinn strategic coaching (Business, Cooperation, Operations, Finance), R&D project accompaniment and feasibility studies (up to CHF 15,000 per study) co-financed with Geneva higher education institutions, FIP pilot installation grants (up to CHF 50,000), and ecosystem animation through sectoral networks (GAIN, Alp ICT, GENIE.CH, Industrie-Genève), monthly industry barometer, and sector press reviews. A separate membership tier (CHF 500–5,500 annually) provides networking, event access, and dedicated project manager support.

Product overview

OPI (Office de Promotion des Industries et des Technologies) is a business support foundation offering a portfolio of interconnected services for Geneva SMEs. The core offerings include strategic coaching via the platinn program, R&D project accompaniment with feasibility studies (up to CHF 15,000) and the FIP pilot installation fund (up to CHF 50,000), ecosystem animation through events and sector platforms, sector press reviews, and an industry barometer. The organization acts as a networking hub connecting companies with higher education institutions and industry partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accompagnement stratégique et coaching platinn Strategic coaching program connecting Geneva SMEs with accredited platinn coaches covering four service areas: Business (economic development), Cooperation (partnerships), Operations (development), and Finance (business financing). Initial phases are fully subsidized through SECO funding.
• Accompagnement de projets R&D R&D project support service facilitating partnerships between companies and Geneva higher education institutions (UNIGE, HES-SO Genève, HEPIA), with direct innovation funding at various maturity stages.
• Fonds Installation Pilote (FIP) Pilot Installation Fund supporting Geneva industrial SMEs in validating innovation potential by financing pilot installations (physical and/or digital), with subsidies up to CHF 50,000. Bridging feasibility studies and industrialization stages.
• Études de faisabilité (Feasibility Studies) Annual project call for proposals financing feasibility studies bringing together companies and Geneva higher education institutions (UNIGE, HES-SO Genève), supporting collaborative projects in technological or usage innovation, with maximum funding of CHF 15,000 per study.
• Animateur de l'écosystème (Ecosystem Animation) Networking facilitation service connecting companies through events and partnerships, animating the local economic fabric via active participation in sectoral platforms including Industrie-Genève, GENIE.CH (industrial ecology platform), Alp ICT, and GAIN (aerospace network).
• Baromètre de l'industrie genevoise Monthly Geneva industry barometer providing analysis based on aggregation of multiple indicators to evaluate the evolution of Geneva industry relative to macroeconomic factors.
• Revues de presse sectorielles Sector-specific press reviews covering Aéronautique, Horlogerie, Industrie 4.0, and Intelligence artificielle sectors, showcasing innovative projects and industry developments.
• Adhésion / Membership OPI Membership program offering networking opportunities, prioritized event access, business promotion, and access to project managers. Annual fees range from CHF 500 (1-10 employees) to CHF 5,500 (1,001+ employees).

Quantifiable outcome

• 159 coaching sessions for 109 companies in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GAIN - Geneva Aero Industry NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Aerospace industry association created in 2017 and incubated by OPI. OPI remains actively involved, accompanying the committee in its initiatives. Gathers approximately 15 companies covering a broad spectrum of industrial and consulting activities in aerospace.
• Alp ICTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Intercantonal digital technology promotion platform hosted and carried by OPI since 2008. Coordinates innovation and economic development around digital technologies for Western Switzerland SMEs. Coordinated by ARI-SO (Association Réseau Innovation Suisse occidentale).
• platinncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Innovation coaching program for SMEs in Western Switzerland cantons, supported by SECO. OPI serves as Geneva antenna. Covers four services: Business development, Cooperation (partnerships), Operations, and Finance. First coaching phases are fully subsidized.
• Industrie-GenèvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation promoting Geneva's industrial image and excellence in training, innovation, and sustainability. Carried by OPI, UIG, CCIG, and FTI. Canton of Geneva (OCEI) and Pulse incubator are partners. Produces 'Le Monde de Demain' TV show on Léman Bleu.
• GENIE.CHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva platform for industrial ecology and circular economy. Carried by State of Geneva (OCEV and OCEI), FTI, SIG, and OPI. Provides concrete solutions for companies seeking environmental performance with economic benefits.
• UNIGE - University of GenevacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary Geneva university partner for R&D collaborations. OPI facilitates partnerships between UNIGE researchers and industrial companies through feasibility studies, joint projects, and networking events.
• HES-SO GenèvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Key partner for applied research collaborations with industry. OPI facilitates connections with HES-SO institutes including HEPIA for feasibility studies and pilot projects.
• HEPIA - Haute école du paysage, d'ingénierie et d'architecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva university of applied sciences. OPI connects companies with HEPIA's research facilities including wind tunnels, manufacturing labs, and engineering expertise for collaborative R&D projects.
• Interreg France-SuisseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border cooperation program supporting projects with regional impact. OPI has collaborated on multiple projects as operational support, institutional partner, or Swiss coordinator: WIBATTS (cold chain monitoring), Opti-Rêve (optical coatings), VADEME (mineral waste), CaDyCo (training mapping), Echosmile (mobility).
• InnosuisseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Innovation Agency. OPI orients SMEs toward Innosuisse national support programs for innovation projects.
• KOF ETH ZurichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Economic Institute providing economic research and indicators. Collaborates with OPI and UNIGE on the Geneva Industry Barometer project.
• OCEI - Office cantonal de l'économie et de l'innovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCantonal Directorate General for Economic Development, Research and Innovation. OPI is part of the cantonal business support ecosystem alongside FAE and Fongit.
• CUI - Centre Universitaire d'InformatiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Geneva's IT center. Partners with OPI on the Adopt a Skill program matching IT students with companies seeking digital skills.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UIG — Union Industrielle de Genève: Geneva industrial employers' association, also represented on OPI's Foundation Council. Serves an overlapping membership base of Geneva industrial firms with broader advocacy and lobbying focus.
• CCIG — Chambre de commerce, d'industrie et des services de Genève: Geneva's chamber of commerce, represented on OPI's Foundation Council. Provides broader business advocacy and SME services to Geneva industry at a wider scope than OPI's innovation focus.
• Innosuisse: Swiss Innovation Agency that funds national innovation projects. OPI orients SMEs toward Innosuisse programs, making it an upstream referrer and adjacent public-innovation body with broader national scope.

Direct peers

• GENIE.CH: Geneva industrial-ecology and circular-economy platform co-carried by OPI, the State of Geneva (OCEV/OCEI), FTI, and SIG; closely comparable in mandate (facilitating SME transition projects).
• Fongit: Geneva-based startup incubator and innovation support foundation operating within the same OCEI-led cantonal ecosystem as OPI, serving overlapping Geneva SME and startup populations with similar coaching and grant facilitation.
• platinn: SECO-funded innovation coaching network for Western Switzerland SMEs. OPI is the Geneva antenna of platinn, making platinn the closest functional peer in innovation coaching methodology.
• Alp ICT: Intercantonal digital-technology promotion platform hosted and carried by OPI since 2008. Direct extension of OPI's services focused on ICT SMEs across Western Switzerland.
• FAE (Fondation d'Aide aux Entreprises): Cantonal Geneva enterprise support foundation referenced as part of OPI's ecosystem alongside OCEI; comparable in mission scope (Geneva SME support) and operates as a fellow public-interest foundation.
• Industrie-Genève: Association co-carried by OPI, UIG, CCIG, and FTI to promote Geneva's industrial image, training, innovation, and sustainability — a peer platform with overlapping Geneva-industry membership.

Emerging players

• GAIN — Geneva Aero Industry Network: Aerospace industry network incubated by OPI in 2017, gathering ~15 companies. Direct sectoral peer operating under OPI's broader ecosystem umbrella.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/opigeneva

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OPI, Office of Promotion of Industries and Technologies