In April 2025, Microsoft celebrates 50 years of innovation – a remarkable success story that began in Albuquerque in 1975, when Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft. Their vision: “A computer on every desk and in every home.” Today, under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Microsoft has evolved into a technology leader that continues to shape the digital landscape – not only globally but also in Switzerland.
A Trusted Partner for Switzerland’s Digital Economy
Microsoft’s journey in Switzerland began in 1989 with the opening of its Swiss subsidiary in Zurich – starting with just two employees. Since then, the company has achieved numerous milestones: the establishment of the Swiss Joint Research Center with ETH and EPFL in 2008, the launch of the Spatial AI Lab in 2018 with CEO Satya Nadella in attendance, the opening of local cloud data centers in 2019, the move to the Circle at Zurich Airport and the launch of the “Skills for Switzerland” initiative in 2021, the opening of the Microsoft Innovation Hub in 2022, and the relocation of the Geneva office to Westhive Alto Pont-Rouge in 2023.
The opening of the Swiss office marked the beginning of a close partnership between Microsoft and the country of 26 cantons. 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.
Since the early 2010s, the cloud has formed the backbone of digital transformation. With offerings like Azure and Microsoft 365, Microsoft helps companies and organizations of all sizes transition to the cloud. Today, four data center regions in Zurich and Geneva provide over 50,000 enterprises, SMEs, and startups in Switzerland with access to more than 500 highly secure cloud services while ensuring local data residency.
Currently, Microsoft is focused on the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence. Over 300 Swiss companies are already using Azure OpenAI services hosted in local Microsoft data centers to optimize business processes and create new, innovative offerings. AI opens up access to cutting-edge technologies for everyone – even those without extensive resources or specialized expertise.
With the Microsoft Innovation Hub at Zurich Airport, Microsoft has created a space where customers can experience and co-develop innovative technologies in real-world settings. At the same time, the company continues to strengthen partnerships with leading Swiss institutions to actively drive innovation forward in Switzerland.
Catrin Hinkel, CEO of Microsoft Switzerland, emphasizes: “As we celebrate 50 years of innovation at Microsoft, I’m especially grateful for the trust and collaboration of our customers and partners in Switzerland. People only use technology when they trust it – and earning that trust is our daily mission. Together, we’ve driven technological progress and made lasting impacts across industries. We continue this journey with secure cloud services, local data residency, practical AI applications, and targeted digital skilling. Our team is what makes this vision a reality for Switzerland.”
Marc Holitscher, National Technology Officer: “Microsoft’s journey reflects the broader evolution of the tech industry – from applications to cloud services, and now to AI-powered solutions. Throughout these transitions, our mission has remained constant: to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Looking ahead to the next 50 years, we aim to remain a driving force for innovation in Switzerland, with a strong focus on responsible AI and sustainability.”
From its headquarters at the Circle at Zurich Airport and its offices in Bern, Geneva, and Wollishofen, Microsoft Switzerland collaborates closely with businesses, government, and academia to help secure the country’s digital future. Its partnerships with ETH Zurich and EPFL exemplify its commitment to AI and spatial computing research.
Looking ahead, Microsoft will continue to pioneer at the intersection of technology and society. In Switzerland, this means fostering digital skills, supporting local innovation, and building responsible AI systems that put people first.
Microsoft remains committed to working closely with industry, academia, and public institutions to drive responsible innovation and digitalization and to support sustainable development in Switzerland through focused investments.
Discover Microsoft’s journey over the past 50 years: Microsoft celebrates 50 years