25 Years of SVC: Anniversary Award, New President, and a Fresh Look

On August 24, 2026, the SVC celebrated its 25th anniversary in the CUBE event hall at the Bernexpo grounds in Bern. Around 500 guests from the worlds of business, politics, and culture enjoyed an evening featuring several firsts: a new leadership team, a new brand identity, and a new award for up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Beat Brechbühl Takes Over as Chair

The SVC can look back on a productive year in 2025/2026. Four entrepreneur awards—in the regions of Northern Switzerland, Geneva, Eastern Switzerland, and, for the first time, in the Aargau-Solothurn region—were presented. In addition, there were various other events, such as the «SMEs for SMEs« series in collaboration with the ZID. Financially, however, the results were »mixed,’ as Managing Director Franziska Bürki explained to the assembled SVC members. Revenue was 700,000 Swiss francs lower than in the previous year. Thanks to continued solid capitalization, however, this loss can be absorbed.

Meanwhile, there is a significant change on the SVC Board of Directors: Dr. Beat Brechbühl, Senior Partner at Kellerhals Carrard, will become the new SVC President. He succeeds Hans Baumgartner. Beat Brechbühl is one of the co-founders of the SVC and has been involved since the very beginning. This ensures continuity in the SVC’s leadership. The general meeting also elected two new representatives from the Presenting Partner to the SVC Board of Directors: Marc Nyffenegger, Head of UBS Corporate & Real Estate Banking Switzerland, and Aydin Sahin, Head of UBS Marketing, Design & Digital Sales Switzerland.

«Swiss Venture Club» Becomes «SVC for SMEs»

With a revamped brand identity, the association is sending a clear message: The organization, previously known as the «Swiss Venture Club,» will now be called «SVC for SMEs»—a clear reflection of its focus on the Swiss SME landscape. The new brand identity is complemented by the «SVC Inäbnit Future Award,» which is being launched in collaboration with SwissSkills. The award will recognize young professionals for exceptional achievements during their training. It is sponsored by the Bern-based entrepreneurial couple Inäbnit through the «Foundation for Common Sense»—as a contribution to supporting the next generation of professionals and the dual education system. With this award, the SVC aims to actively engage the younger generation—the entrepreneurs of tomorrow—more closely. 

Federal Council Praises SMEs

One of the highlights of the evening was undoubtedly the appearance by Federal President and Head of the Department of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin. In his speech, he referred to the SVC’s difficult founding year in 2001: Events such as the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, the Swissair grounding, the assassination attempt in Zug, and the devastating fire in the Gotthard Road Tunnel provided, as it were, the somber backdrop. Yet, both then and now, SMEs have proven to be extremely resilient in the face of crises, Guy Parmelin noted. He cited, above all, the companies« great adaptability and flexibility, as well as their commitment to quality over mass production. This, he said, maintains Switzerland’s competitiveness despite high costs. »If something is already expensive, then it must at least be good,« said the Federal President. He also emphasized the federal government’s ongoing efforts to ensure favorable framework conditions. In this context, he mentioned the conclusion of additional free trade agreements, such as those with China, Indonesia, and Mercosur. Reducing bureaucracy is also a goal of the Federal Council: Guy Parmelin specifically highlighted the »EasyGov” platform, through which companies can handle a growing number of administrative procedures online.

Anniversary Award for Peter Jakob

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the «25 Years of SVC» anniversary award by Swiss President Guy Parmelin. The award went to Peter Jakob, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jakob Rope Systems in Trubschachen. The award recognizes his exceptional commitment to the economically disadvantaged Emmental region—both through his company and through his support of the SCL Tigers ice hockey club.

Once again, Federal President Guy Parmelin emphasized the importance of Swiss SMEs and the SVC: «Numerous outstanding companies have been recognized in recent years. If the SVC didn’t exist, I would have to invent it right away.».

25 Years of the SME Network

Hans-Ulrich Müller, the founding father and long-time president of the SVC, also looked back with satisfaction on his life’s work on the occasion of the 25th anniversary. He has made it his life’s mission to provide a platform for SMEs—often referred to as the «backbone of the Swiss economy.» «Joy in life is one of the greatest forces,» he said in conversation with host Cloé Maria Salzgeber, who guided the event with confidence and energy. And joy has been regularly brought about by the Prix SVC for the best SMEs since 2003: At 83 Prix SVC award ceremonies to date, a total of 483 companies have been honored for their «business excellence.» The association is supported by presenting partner UBS as well as gold partners Emil Frey, Forvis Mazars, IWB, die Mobiliar, and Swisscom.

More information: www.svc.swiss