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.
Lugano 2030: A Vision for Lugano's Digital Future
The City of Lugano is committed to consolidating its position as an international benchmark in digital innovation, fostering a dynamic and digitally oriented ecosystem. The Lugano 2030 development strategy (in Italian) is driven by a clear vision: to transform the city into a technology hub of international relevance, encouraging innovation, research and lifelong learning. This vision is further detailed in the City’s Digital Strategy, which sets out the action plan and strategic guidelines for the digital transformation of the City and its services.
Digital evolution and education
Lugano recognises the importance of continuous training in new technologies and promotes the development of advanced skills through collaborations with academic institutions and research centres. In this context, the city supports training and outreach 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 world’s leading conferences on Bitcoin, financial freedom and freedom of speech, and organises the AI Week, an event that brings together technicians, entrepreneurs, citizens and academia to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on society and the business world.
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 centre in lifestyle-tech, focusing on fashion, design, food, tourism and health.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies
Lugano has established itself as a benchmark in the blockchain technology sector through the strategic project "Lugano’s Plan ₿". This project aims to create a favourable environment for sector startups and enterprises, strengthening the city’s international visibility and facilitating access to the services needed by those who decide to relocate to Lugano. The city promotes the development of blockchain-based solutions for public administration and organises annual international events to stimulate innovation and the adoption of these technologies.
The Lugano Ecosystem: A Hub of Innovation and Collaboration
Among the leading financial centres in Switzerland, Lugano is home to major groups operating internationally as well as to small and medium-sized enterprises.
A university city since 1996, Lugano hosts world-renowned research institutes, including the CSCS-Swiss National Supercomputing Centre and the IDSIA-Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence Studies. Since 2024 the City has also been home to the Lifestyle Tech Competence Center, an international reference hub for the development of sectors such as fashion, design, food, tourism and health.
The presence of top-level scientific expertise facilitates research and development from which all economic initiatives can benefit. The dynamism shown in foreign markets, for example in life sciences, confirms the high level of competitiveness achieved by many companies based in Lugano.
Lugano hosts a vibrant innovation ecosystem in which companies, universities, startups and institutions work together to create advanced technological solutions. In the City there are several co-working spaces dedicated to innovation, among which Dagorà stands out for the lifestyle sector and PoW Space, which hosts the community of companies and startups active in the FinTech sector.
This ecosystem is supported by cutting-edge digital infrastructure and by 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.
SwissLedger
SwissLedger is a Swiss institutional blockchain born in Lugano. Secure, scalable and transparent, it forms the technological backbone of numerous innovative applications—from digital payments in the city to the certification of administrative processes. Thanks to SwissLedger, the City of Lugano is establishing itself as a pioneer in urban-level blockchain adoption, providing a reliable infrastructure for companies, startups and universities to develop solutions and conduct research. At the same time, it offers financial institutions a technology capable of building a bridge between traditional finance and the new digital economy.
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.