In the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, ETH Zurich reaffirmed its global leadership — ranked 11th worldwide and 1st in continental Europe. This result underscores Switzerland’s leadership in research, academic excellence, and its thriving innovation ecosystem.
Switzerland’s Innovation Engine Keeps Accelerating
ETH Zurich’s performance once again places it among the global elite, alongside MIT, Stanford, and Oxford. This success reflects Switzerland’s unique model — where world-class research meets applied science and entrepreneurship.
The Swiss Deep Tech Report 2025 highlights that a significant share of national venture capital is directed to deep tech, and Swiss deep tech startups have collectively created substantial enterprise value.
ETH’s Role in Building the AI Nation
ETH has become more than a research powerhouse — it’s a launchpad for AI, spin-offs, and innovation. Through its AI centers, partnerships, and culture, ETH enables researchers to take ideas into the real world, supporting spin-outs and collaborations across industries.
A great starting point is the ETH AI Center’s affiliated startups directory, which showcases venture activity emerging from the ecosystem — spanning fields like computer vision, robotics, AI safety, simulation, and more. Browse the live list here:
Taken together with ETH’s research depth, these ventures illustrate how the university translates science into products, companies, and real-world impact.
Talent, Collaboration, and the Future of Work
ETH’s success mirrors the broader Swiss talent ecosystem. With a highly international student and faculty body and strong ties to industry, Switzerland has become a magnet for AI, robotics, and advanced computing companies.
Collaboration between academia, startups, and corporates keeps the ecosystem vibrant — a dynamic that continues to attract global investment and talent.
Rockstar Recruiting: Proud to Work With Swiss Excellence
At Rockstar Recruiting, we’re proud to collaborate with ETH spin-offs, research labs, and growing AI startups across Switzerland. We connect founders, PhDs, and engineers from the ETH ecosystem with the companies and investors that can help them scale.
The combination of Swiss precision, ethical AI development, and world-class education continues to inspire us. We’re excited to keep supporting the next generation of teams emerging from ETH’s innovation powerhouse.
Final Word
ETH Zurich’s achievement is not just another ranking milestone — it’s a testament to how Switzerland continues to lead through education, innovation, and collaboration. As ETH paves the way for the next wave of AI and deep tech leaders, we look forward to working with the brilliant people and ideas that shape our shared future.