Digital Innovation
Lugano positions itself as a leading city in the field of digital innovation. Through a strategic vision and the implementation of emerging technologies, Lugano is shaping a future where digital enhances citizens' lives, boosts the economy, and fosters a more sustainable and connected society.
A Vision for Lugano's Digital Future
The City of Lugano is committed to consolidating its position as an international reference point for digital innovation, promoting a dynamic and digitally oriented ecosystem. The development guidelines for the City for the 2018-2030 period (in Italian) are guided by a clear vision: transforming the city into a technological hub of international relevance by fostering innovation, research, and lifelong learning.
Digital evolution and education
Lugano recognizes the importance of continuous education in new technologies and promotes the development of advanced skills through collaborations with academic institutions and research centers. In this context, the city supports training and educational activities focused on emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), thus preparing the community for the challenges of the digital future. Lugano hosts the Plan ₿ Forum, one of the most important global conferences on Bitcoin, financial and speech freedom, and organizes the AI Week, an event that brings together technicians, entrepreneurs, citizens, and the academic world to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on society and business.
Innovation and research ecosystem
The Lugano Living Lab supports research and development projects of particular interest to the city. Lugano is also actively involved in the Swiss Innovation Park, contributing to the development of an international competence center in the lifestyle-tech sector, focusing on fashion, design, food, tourism, and health.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies
Lugano is establishing itself as a reference point in the blockchain technology sector through the strategic project "Lugano’s Plan ₿". This project aims to create a favorable environment for startups and companies in the sector, enhancing the city's international visibility and facilitating access to necessary services for those choosing to relocate to Lugano. The city promotes the development of blockchain-based solutions for public administration and organizes annual international events to stimulate innovation and the adoption of these technologies.
The Lugano Ecosystem: A Hub of Innovation and Collaboration
Among the main financial hubs in Switzerland, Lugano is home to major internationally active groups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.
A university city since 1996, Lugano hosts prestigious research institutions, including the CSCS-Swiss National Supercomputing Centre. The city's academic institutions are also affiliated with globally recognized research centers, such as the IDSIA-Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Since 2024, the city has also been home to the Lifestyle Tech Competence Center, an international hub particularly focused on the fashion, design, food, tourism, and health sectors within the Lugano area.
The presence of top-level scientific expertise facilitates research and development, benefiting all economic initiatives. The dynamism in foreign markets, such as in the life sciences sector, confirms the high level of competitiveness achieved by many companies based in Lugano.
Lugano hosts a vibrant innovation ecosystem where companies, universities, startups, and institutions collaborate to create advanced technological solutions. The city is home to several co-working spaces dedicated to innovation, including Dagorà, focused on the lifestyle sector, and the PoW Space, which hosts companies and startups active in the FinTech sector.
This ecosystem is supported by cutting-edge digital infrastructures and a network of local and international partners who share our vision for an advanced technological future.
Projects at the Heart of Change
Lugano Living Lab
Lugano Living Lab is the urban laboratory of the City, a co-creation space where citizens, companies, academics, and institutions collaborate to develop and test new digital solutions. Innovative ideas are born here, aiming to improve urban quality of life, stimulate the local economy, and make Lugano an increasingly smart and sustainable city.
MyLugano
MyLugano is the official app of the city, designed to simplify the daily lives of citizens and visitors. By using a local digital currency called LVGA, the app encourages spending within the city. It provides quick access to municipal services, information on events, and exclusive promotions for those who live and work in Lugano. MyLugano is a concrete example of how digitalization can benefit the local economy and improve access to public services.
3Achain
3Achain is the institutional blockchain of the City of Lugano. Secure, scalable, and transparent, 3Achain serves as the backbone for numerous innovative applications, from managing payments within the city to certifying administrative processes. With this platform, Lugano positions itself as a leader in urban blockchain adoption.
Lugano Plan ₿
Lugano's Plan ₿ is the city's ambitious initiative for the adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. The project aims to transform Lugano into an international hub for FinTech innovation, attracting talent and investments from around the world. With Plan ₿, Lugano not only embraces the digital future but actively creates it.
Collaborations and Opportunities for Lugano's Future
Lugano is open to collaboration with innovators, companies, and institutions from around the world. If you are interested in being part of our innovation ecosystem or bringing your ideas to our city, contact us to explore how we can work together. Together, we can shape Lugano's digital future.
Contacts
The English version of this page was created with the aid of automatic translation tools and may contain errors and omissions.
The original version is the page in Italian.