Vaud International Business Award
The strength of the canton of Vaud lies widely in the diversity of its economy, which has earned recognition far beyond the cantonal and national boundaries. In order to reward companies that have contributed to the image and international reputation of the canton of Vaud, the Department of Economy, Innovation Employment and Heritage (DEIEP), the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CVCI) and Innovaud have set up the Vaud International Business Award.
The purpose of this award is to highlight the contribution of international companies, the diversification they bring and their positive impact on our economy.
Three distinct prizes are awarded:
- Category "Innovation": foreign international company based in the canton of Vaud
- Category "Industry": Swiss exporting company
- Category "Jury's special prize": additional organization that the jury wishes to reward
The organisation of the Prize is coordinated by International Link, the CVCI's service dedicated to international entities.
2025 Winners
2025 Winners
Category «Innovation»
DUBOIS DÉPRAZ
Founded in 1901, Dubois Dépraz is an independent family-owned company specializing in complex watchmaking mechanisms. With a team of 370 employees, they design, develop, manufacture, and assemble high-precision calibers. Their expertise serves major brands and includes tailored solutions, particularly through technical co-developments.
Category «Industry»
ECOROBOTIX
Founded in 2014, Ecorobotix has developed a precision sprayer powered by artificial intelligence that targets each plant individually. This innovative technology reduces the use of phytosanitary products, improves agricultural yields, lowers CO₂ emissions, and protects the soil. With nearly 200 employees and certified as a B Corp, the company promotes responsible agriculture.
Jury's special prize
SOLAR STRATOS
Launched in 2014 by eco-explorer Raphaël Domjan and his team, SolarStratos has developed a solar-powered aircraft designed to reach the stratosphere. Holder of the world altitude record for a manned electric and solar aircraft (9,521 m), the project aims to demonstrate that solar energy can replace fossil fuels. Driven by a team of around fifteen collaborators, SolarStratos embodies the pioneering spirit and Swiss–Vaud innovation.
The three Vaud-based companies below, which work regularly with the winners, illustrate the collaboration between SMEs and international companies.
CSEM
PAVILLARD
STS
Jury for the 2025 PVEI
Jury for the 2025 PVEI
 | CARMELO LAGANÀ Cantonal delegate for economic foresight |
 | FRANÇOIS PUGLIESE President, Vaud Chamber of commerce and industry |
 | RÉMI WALBAUM President, Innovaud |
 | ALAIN SCHATT Professor, Faculty of business an economics (HEC), University of Lausanne |
 | SOPHIE BACQ Professor of Social Entrepreneurship and Coca-Cola Foundation Chair in Sustainable Development, IMD |
 | EMILE DE RIJK CEO and co-founder, SWISSto12 |
 | SAMUEL MOREL Chief manufacturing officer, Hublot |
 | RAYMOND LORETAN Chairman of the Board of Directors, Swiss Medical Network |
 | AUDE TINGUELY Business transfer specialist, BCV |
Partners
Partners
Many thanks to our partners for their contribution to the success of the
Vaud International Business Award.
With the support of
Partners
With over 150 beds, the Clinique de La Source is the biggest private institution offering acute multidisciplinary care (Surgery – Medicine – Maternity) in the canton of Vaud.
The BCV (Banque Cantonale Vaudoise) has been the bank for Vaud residents since 1845. It is the leading bank in the canton, serving both individuals and businesses. It contributes to the development of all sectors of the Vaud economy. As a responsible institution, it is committed to the sustainable development of society.
Retraites Populaires offers individuals, businesses, and institutions a platform of expertise and comprehensive know-how. Specializing in 2nd and 3rd pillar (state and occupational pension), it is also an expert in real estate, loans, and the management of pension institutions.
Switzerland Global Enterprise is the official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion. As a private consulting and platform organization commissioned by the Confederation and the cantons, we support companies in 130 countries.
The Vaud winemakers have gathered under the emblem of the Snail to promote the quality and craftsmanship of their wines. Currently, dozens of Vaud producers offer their Snail-branded wine, available in two ranges (Red and Gold), a Vaud wine that combines tradition and innovation.
Media Partner
In the ever-changing environment that is the canton of Vaud, "24 heures" brings local knowledge to the fore. Through a variety of voices, the newspaper offers complete news coverage as well as an extended dialogue with their readership.
Would your company like to contribute to the promotion and success of the Vaud International Business Award? Do not hesitate to contact us!
Communication
Communication
- Isabelle Moret, Vaud State Councillor, Head of the Vaud Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage (DEIEP), +41 21 316 61 82
- Philippe Miauton, Managing Director of the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CVCI), +41 79 277 68 41, philippe.miauton@cvci.ch
- Samuel Calani, Head of communications, Innovaud, +41 21 644 00 60, samuel.calani@innovaud.ch
The Vaud International Business Awards announces three winners
PRESS RELEASE
The Vaud International Business Awards honors three innovative companies
Lausanne, October 28, 2025 – The companies Ecorobotix, specialized in AI-based agricultural technologies, Dubois Dépraz, a key player in the field of complicated watches and watchmaking subcontracting, and SolarStratos, promoting solar energy and energy efficiency, were honored at the 12th edition of the Vaud International Business Awards (PVEI). The awards, designed to showcase three thriving local businesses that have also made a name for themselves internationally, are handed out jointly every year by the Vaud Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage (DEIEP), the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CVCI) and Innovaud. The ceremony took place at the IMD in Lausanne, with more than 300 people attending. It featured a speech by Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of SECO, who highlighted the importance of Swiss companies with international operations for the country’s economic competitiveness.
Ecorobotix won over the jury in the “Innovation” category. Founded in 2014, this B Corp-certified company with nearly 200 employees aims to revolutionize agriculture through artificial intelligence and ultra-high-precision technology. Its mission is to promote environmental sustainability by reducing the use of phytosanitary products and minimizing soil impact. The company has developed a precision sprayer that enables plant-by-plant detection and spraying during crop treatment. This technology significantly reduces the amount of product used, improves crop yields, and decreases CO₂ emissions.
Awarded in the “Industry” category, Dubois Dépraz was founded in 1901 and today employs 370 people. The company boasts a long family history, a rarity in the modern watchmaking landscape, which over nearly 125 years has been largely reshaped by the rise of major groups. Dubois Dépraz develops, manufactures, and assembles complex mechanisms in-house. It owns its developments and makes them available to client brands. In certain cases, Dubois Dépraz works in partnership with its clients to co-develop and refine particularly complex components or manufacturing processes.
SolarStratos received the Jury’s Special Prize. Founded in 2014, this company aims to promote solar energy and energy efficiency by developing sustainable aviation. Led by Swiss eco-explorer Raphaël Domjan, SolarStratos has designed an innovative solar-powered aircraft with the goal of reaching the stratosphere. Already the holder of the world altitude record for a manned electric and solar aircraft (9,521 m), SolarStratos demonstrates that renewable energies can rival fossil fuels. Its team of around fifteen collaborators embodies the pioneering and innovative spirit of Switzerland and the canton of Vaud, exploring practical solutions for environmentally friendly air mobility.
Awarding local businesses in three categories
The Vaud International Business Awards, which are handed out every fall, were introduced in 2014 to recognise companies that have their headquarters in Vaud and have successfully expanded internationally. The awards showcase companies that play a role in boosting Vaud’s image and diversifying the canton’s economy. This year’s Innovation award was handed out to a company with an innovative product or business model. The Industry award went to a company that produces goods or services in Vaud. And finally, the Special Jury Award was reserved for a company that particularly impressed the selection panel.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (BCV) for sponsoring the event, and 24 heures, the awards’ media partner.
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