Every so often we hear about another new technology hub; currently, Shanghai, Buenos Aires, Tallinn and Bangalore are among the places vying to be the next Silicon Valley. Add to that list Switzerland — in particular, Zurich.

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And Naef said that number is on the rise, especially around Zurich. What’s behind the growth? The emergence of a healthy technology ecosystem: There are half a dozen venture funds in Switzerland; the government helps technology startups through various programs; and Switzerland has broadband aplenty –- it ranks fourth among OECD countries. As of June 2008, nearly 33 of its every 100 inhabitants had a broadband connection.

Even more important is the fact that a lot of big technology companies have set up shop there. Google has set up its European engineering headquarters in Zurich, and Yahoo moved its European headquarters there from London last year. There is peripherals maker, Logitech, and even a few large, non-IT tech companies, like Tyco. They find there a plentiful supply of engineering minds, many of whom graduated from Switzerland’s equivalent of MIT, the ETH.