Creative Economies Forum 2026
How to prepare for the next decade? The Future of Creative Entrepreneurship
The Creative Economies Forum 2026 at Zurich University of the Arts brings together creative entrepreneurs, funders, researchers, and innovators from across Switzerland and beyond for a one-day exchange.
Drawing on 10 years of experience from the Z-Kubator in supporting entrepreneurial careers in the arts and design, the goal of the forum is to explore emerging capacities, new business models, and forward-looking strategies to design the next decade.
Connect with peers, expand your network, and contribute from your experience. Join the conversation and help shape “what’s next” for the creative economies.
Programme
Friday, 11 September 2026, 9am - 5pm, Toni Areal
Room: Hörsaal 1, free entry
Arrival Coffee & Check-in
Official Welcome | Room: Hörsaal 1
Prof. Christoph Weckerle, Director Zurich Centre for Creative Economies
Creative Entrepreneurship @ZHdK
The first 10 years — Short Inputs
Creative Economies Data Update
Roman Page, Research Fellow, ZCCE
Career Navigator
Dr. Katrin Stowasser, Head of Transfer, ZCCE
Keynote #1: Re/Wire:
Why the Creative Industries and the Cultural Sector need to be linked with the Economy and Society
Dr. Stephan Sigrist, Founder and Head of W.I.R.E., Zurich
Coffee break
Keynote #2: MISSION POSSIBLE – Between Cultural Mandate and Market Success
Reta Guetg, Co-Director of Zurich Film Festival (ZFF)
Lunch Break |
Keynote #3: The Curiosity Juncture:
Harnessing Intersecting Connections for Distinctive Creative Leadership
Richie Manu, Programme Director, Creative Enterprise, Central Saint Martins, London
Intro Z-Kubator Inputs
Philipp Kotsopoulos, Head of Z-Kubator
Presentation of the Z-Kubator Anniversary Report
Claudio Bucher, Research Fellow, ZCCE & Z-Kubator
Pitch Session & Panel
Host: Yves Burgener
Participants of the Z-Kubator’s incubator programme "What’s next_Project" present their projects
Kymu by Stepan Vedunov & Elia Salerno
Touriski by Anja Fritschi & Tara Jenkins
Reflections & Learnings from 10 Years of Z-Kubator
Itay Blaish, Designer & Curator, Z-Kubator
Coffee Break
Workshop Sessions | Room change
Session #1: Title TBD
Hosted by Dr. Stephan Sigrist, Founder and Head of W.I.R.E., Zurich
Session #2: Title TBD
Hosted by Richie Manu, Programme Director, Creative Enterprise, Central Saint Martins, London
Session #3: Titel TBD
Hosted by NN
Room change | Hörsaal 1
Wrap up and takeaways
Prof. Dr. Simon Grand, Permanent Research Fellow, ZCCE, and Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Management Innovation, Swiss Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, University of St. Gallen HSG
Closing, Drinks
During the entire day:
Discover the Z-Kubator Anniversary Report, read about our alumni’s experience and learnings, study data on the creative economies, test and explore the new Career Navigator and get refreshments.
Organisation: Philipp Kotsopoulos, Yves Burgener and Dr. Katrin Stowasser
Speaker
Dr. Stephan Sigrist (W.I.R.E., Zurich)
Dr. Stephan Sigrist (Dr. sc. ETH Zurich) is Founder & Head of W.I.R.E., an independent think tank connecting business, science, and society. An interdisciplinary strategist and widely sought-after keynote speaker, they analyse emerging trends and technologies and support decision-makers in developing future-oriented strategies—linking transformation across economy, culture, and society.
Talk at CEF26: Re/Wire — Why the Creative Industries and the Cultural Sector need to be linked with the Economy and Society
Richie Manu (Central Saint Martins, London)
Richie Manu is Programme Director, Creative Enterprise at Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London)—working at the intersection of creative practice, entrepreneurship, and leadership development. A designer, brand developer, TEDx speaker, and author of the best-selling book YOU:Rebranded, they advise creatives, start-ups, and organisations on strategy, positioning, and growth.
Talk at CEF26: The Curiosity Juncture — Harnessing Intersecting Connections for Distinctive Creative Leadership
