The Award-Winning Personality

Carlo Centonze studied Biology and Forest Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich where he graduated in 2003. Shortly after that, he earned his Executive MBA at the University of St.Gallen in 2007. After his service as an army pilot, he started his professional career as co-founder of the carbon certificate pioneer NGO Myclimate where he took the role of Head of Sales & Marketing between 2002 and 2003. After that first contact with environmental and sustainable organizations, he went on to co-found the material innovation leader HeiQ along with Dr Murray Height, an MIT graduate. Carlo has served HeiQ as CEO since 2004, developing the firm from a two-employee company to a 210+ employee company as of today.

Alongside his role as HeiQ’s CEO, Carlo Centonze is also proactive with similar projects. He became board of Director of C8 Investments Ltd. for 3 years between 2012 and 2015, and in 2019, he played an active role as Member of the Board of Directors of science industries, a Swiss based business association of chemistry and pharma life sciences as well as Chairman of The Board of ECSA Emanuele Centonze SA, the largest Swiss owned company specialized in the distribution of chemicals.

HeiQ – Swiss Innovation Leader for Textiles and Materials

HeiQ is a leader in textile and materials innovation creating some of the most effective, durable and high-performance technologies on the market today and is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market (LSE:HEIQ). HeiQ creates innovative technologies that add functionalities to textiles and materials such as hygiene, comfort, protection and resource efficiency. With offices around the world, HeiQ’s mission is to improve the lives of billions of people by perfecting everyday textiles and materials.

Future Vision with Swiss Tech Inside

HeiQ makes a bold claim of “Swiss Tech Inside” on all its products, which means living up to Switzerland’s reputation for high-tech innovation, quality and resource efficiency. For 16 years, the company has been proving its ability to anticipate and respond to megatrends and market needs and develop science-based solutions to solve them. Sustainability challenges facing the industries in which we operate are driving change in both manufacturing processes and product development giving HeiQ the opportunity to contribute and serve. Whether driven by a scientific development or new consumer desires, HeiQ demonstrates its unique ability to respond to opportunities with rapid and deep innovation and turnkey solutions. Because technologies are born in the laboratories but used by consumers, HeiQ does not focus exclusively on R&D but ensures that marketing is done in the most impactful way so that the collaboration with customers reaches the widest audience and amplifies its positive impact on society. In essence, HeiQ is dedicated to driving innovation towards improving the lives of billions and making the world a better place. Innovation is also the only way forward for a sustainable planet.

An extremely grateful Carlo Centonze says: “It is a great honour for me, as a representative of the entire HeiQ staff, to receive the unique Swiss Entrepreneur of the Year award and as a representative of all Swiss entrepreneurs I thank the initiators and sponsors. Year after year, I am pleased to see Switzerland in first place for innovation, and as we face uncertain times, it is more important than ever to strengthen competitiveness and productivity and to promote innovation. It is up to each and every one of us to put our heart and soul into ensuring that Switzerland remains innovative.”