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IPI’s IP Management Award goes to French-speaking Switzerland for the first time

Card&Cook, from La Chaux-de-Fonds, won the IPI’s IP Management Award at the grand finale of the Young Enterprise Switzerland (YES) Company Programme. The mini-company stood out for its exemplary use of intellectual property (IP).

The Card&Cook team with Matthias Käch. Photo: IPI

On 29 and 30 May 2026, Zurich main station was buzzing with motivated young entrepreneurs, who had run mini-companies as part of the YES Company Programme for a year. At the final on 30 May, several awards were presented to the 25 finalists, including the IPI’s IP Management Award. This award recognises the start-up that has best integrated IP management into its operations. This includes the professional handling of contracts.

 

IP management report won over the jury

Card&Cook impressed the jury with its IP management report. The award was presented by Matthias Käch, who is a Senior IP Trainer. Representing the IPI, he supports the programme and explains the key aspects of IP to the teams in several workshops. “The programme has shown us how important it is to protect our own ideas,” said the Card&Cook CEO Gaia Zanivan immediately after the awards ceremony. Meloé Kurth (CFO) added: “We learned a lot. Writing the IP management report allowed us to explore the subject in even greater depth. We all really enjoyed that.”

 

One of the protective measures the team put in place was a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). “An NDA is essential when working with producers or companies that distribute your product. That definitely stood out to me.”

 

The IPI has been a national partner of YES for many years. Matthias Käch concluded: “Many SMEs, and start-ups in particular, could learn a thing or two from these young people when it comes managing intellectual property.”

 

Infobox: Recipe ideas to reduce food waste

Card&Cook developed a set of cards designed to make it easier to manage everyday cooking and reduce food waste. The set contains 40 recipe cards featuring simple dishes, as well as suggestions on how to use ingredients you already have in the recipes. The playful approach is intended to encourage users to use up food that would otherwise go to waste. The company therefore links recipe ideas with the aim of promoting more sustainable consumption.

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