Comet, YORD and Liip Win the IFF Award 2026–2027

Comet, YORD and Liip were announced as the winners of the IFF Award 2026–2027 (Innovation Fribourg Freiburg) at Wednesday evening’s awards ceremony. Flamatt-based Comet received the IFF Enterprise Award for its technology used in semiconductor manufacturing. The IFF Start-up Award went to YORD for its intelligent building heating optimization system, while Liip won the IFF Sustainability Award for its digital sustainability assessment tool. YORD also received the newly introduced Carbon Fri Special Recognition for its contribution to decarbonization.

Forty applications, nine finalists and three winners: the 18th edition of the IFF Award concluded Wednesday evening with a ceremony broadcast live on regional television channel La Télé. Comet, YORD and Liip impressed the jury with the quality of their innovations, their practical applications and their potential for growth.

“Innovation is not judged on originality alone. We also assessed whether these innovations could demonstrate their value, gain a foothold in the market and deliver tangible results. All three winners convinced us on these different fronts,” said Olivier Curty, State Councillor in charge of economic affairs and chairman of the jury.

IFF Enterprise Award: Comet Advances Semiconductor Manufacturing

With Synertia®, Flamatt-based Comet has developed a platform capable of controlling the energy used in plasma processes in just a few microseconds. This precision enables material layers to be deposited or etched at the atomic scale, an essential step in manufacturing next-generation microchips.

Combining radio-frequency generators, impedance matching networks and intelligent software, Synertia® improves process stability, efficiency and resource utilization. Already adopted by its first customers, the technology impressed the jury with its performance, commercial maturity and potential in the global semiconductor market.

“Our ambition is to establish ourselves as a leading platform provider for radio-frequency technology in semiconductor manufacturing. We are evolving from a product manufacturer into a supplier of complete subsystems. This transition is generating growing interest among our customers and is expected to contribute to Comet’s growth,” explained Sergio Marchese, Vice President Global R&D at Comet PCT.

Comet previously won the Innovation Award in 2022 for MesoFocus, an X-ray technology used to inspect electric vehicle batteries. This second award recognizes an innovation developed by a different business unit within the group, in an entirely different field.

The CHF 10,000 IFF Enterprise Award was presented by Laurent Wicky, a member of the Executive Board of Fribourg Cantonal Bank (BCF), which co-organizes the competition. “Innovation means being willing to take risks and invest today in what will drive tomorrow’s success. Comet embodies this mindset by exploring new technologies in highly competitive markets. As a cantonal bank, our role is to give companies the resources they need to turn their ambitions into reality.”

IFF Start-up Award: YORD Uses AI to Optimize Building Heating

Fribourg-based YORD offers a way to reduce energy consumption in buildings without the need for renovations. Its system uses artificial intelligence to create a digital twin of a building, anticipate its heating needs and automatically adjust the heating system while maintaining occupant comfort.

Compatible with a wide range of buildings and heating systems, the solution saved 4.19 GWh of energy during the 2025–2026 heating season, representing a 22.8% reduction in consumption. In some buildings, savings reached 45%.

The CHF 30,000 IFF Start-up Award was decided through a combined vote, with equal weight given to the jury, online voters and viewers and attendees participating during the ceremony. The award was presented by Olivier Curty, chairman of the jury.

IFF Sustainability Award: Liip Addresses the Impact of Digital Technology

With Lowwwimpact, Fribourg-based Liip is developing a tool to assess the sustainability of websites and web applications. Drawing on recommendations from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), it evaluates not only their environmental footprint but also their accessibility, data protection and governance.

The tool then provides recommendations for improving digital services. Liip aims to offer the equivalent of an energy performance certificate for websites. The jury particularly praised this comprehensive approach, which reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability.

“What convinced us was the potential of this tool to reduce the energy consumption of websites, as well as its ability to accurately quantify the savings achieved,” said Jerry Krattiger, Managing Director of the Fribourg Development Agency and vice-chairman of the jury.

The CHF 10,000 IFF Sustainability Award was presented by Marie-Amélie Dupraz-Ardiot, the cantonal Sustainable Development Officer and a member of the jury.

YORD Receives the First Carbon Fri Special Recognition

Introduced for the first time this year, the CHF 10,000 Carbon Fri Special Recognition honors a project that contributes to decarbonization. It was awarded to YORD for its heating optimization technology, which prevented the emission of 1,046 metric tons of CO₂ during the 2025–2026 heating season, according to the company’s figures. The distinction was presented by Christophe Emmenegger, Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the canton of Fribourg and President of the Carbon Fri Foundation.

Trophies Created by Fribourg’s Next Generation of Skilled Professionals

Six other companies reached the finals of this 18th edition: Elionova and Polytype in the Enterprise category, oxadi and Volatorix in the Start-up category, and FLOW and UHCS Constructions in the Sustainability category.

The winners received new trophies designed and crafted by apprentices specializing in electronics and polymechanics at the École des Métiers Fribourg (EMF). This initiative directly involves Fribourg’s next generation of skilled professionals in a competition that celebrates innovation.