Microsoft Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation
In April 2025, Microsoft commemorates 50 years of innovation, marking a remarkable journey that began in Albuquerque in 1975 when Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the company. Their original vision: “A computer on every desk and in every home.” Today, under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Microsoft has evolved into a global technology leader, significantly impacting the digital landscape in Switzerland.
Microsoft’s journey in Switzerland began in 1989 with the establishment of its subsidiary in Zurich, starting with just two employees. Since then, the company has achieved numerous milestones, including the establishment of the Swiss Joint Research Center with ETH and EPFL in 2008, the launch of the Spatial AI Lab in 2018, and the opening of local cloud data centers in 2019. The company moved to the Circle at Zurich Airport and launched the “Skills for Switzerland” initiative in 2021, followed by the opening of the Microsoft Innovation Hub in 2022.
Today, Microsoft Switzerland has grown into a key player in the digital landscape with around 1,000 employees and a network of 4,600 partners, supporting businesses and organizations across Switzerland in their digital transformation journeys. The cloud has been the backbone of this transformation, with offerings like Azure and Microsoft 365 helping companies transition to cloud services. Four data center regions in Zurich and Geneva provide over 50,000 enterprises with access to more than 500 highly secure cloud services while ensuring local data residency.
Microsoft is currently focused on the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence. Over 300 Swiss companies are already using Azure OpenAI services to optimize business processes and create innovative offerings. Catrin Hinkel, CEO of Microsoft Switzerland, emphasizes the importance of trust in technology adoption and highlights the company’s commitment to secure cloud services, local data residency, and practical AI applications.
Marc Holitscher, National Technology Officer, notes that Microsoft’s journey reflects the broader evolution of the tech industry, from applications to cloud services and now to AI-powered solutions. The company remains committed to empowering every person and organization to achieve more, with a strong focus on responsible AI and sustainability in Switzerland.
Looking ahead, Microsoft will continue to pioneer at the intersection of technology and society, fostering digital skills, supporting local innovation, and building responsible AI systems. The company remains dedicated to working closely with industry, academia, and public institutions to drive responsible innovation and support sustainable development in Switzerland.
