The 2026 cohort of the Digital Accelerator Basel had the opportunity to experience logistics in action during a field trip to our industry partner Planzer in Pratteln, in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. There, our inaugural startup cohort gained first-hand insights into the processes and innovation needs of a leading Swiss transport and logistics giant.
Planzer’s major hub in Pratteln
Pratteln is one of Planzer’s key logistics hubs. A large share of the goods originating from customers in Basel’s pharma and life sciences cluster passes through this site. At the same time, many shipments arrive from abroad by truck and are then forwarded by train to other Planzer locations across Switzerland; only the final local distribution takes place on the road. This setup makes Pratteln an ideal place to gain an understanding of the complexity of real-world logistics, multimodal transport, and the operational challenges behind them.
Innovation at the heart of operations
Planzer is a leading innovator in the Swiss logistics sector. Many improvements are developed in-house by maintaining an innovative work culture in which employees actively contribute ideas and identify what works – and what doesn’t – in day-to-day operations. At the same time, Planzer collaborates with startups to bring in fresh perspectives and new technologies.
While many innovative solutions operate behind the scenes, one lighthouse project that is visible to the public is the autonomous distribution of parcels, currently piloted with Swiss startup LOXO. This project explores how automated last‑mile delivery can make parcel logistics more efficient and sustainable.
Learning and exchange for our startup cohort
During the visit, our cohort was hosted by Björn Lindner, who provided insights into Planzer’s innovation needs and internal processes. Each of our four startups presented their solutions, received feedback from the Planzer team, and discussed potential avenues for collaboration.
To make sure the day was not just theory, the group also joined a guided tour through the logistics centre, including the cool storage areas, and observed firsthand how goods are handled, stored, and dispatched on a large scale.
A core element of the Digital Accelerator Basel
We are deeply grateful to Planzer for their partnership with the Digital Accelerator Basel and for opening their doors to our startup cohort. Visits like this form a core part of our program: helping founders validate their solutions against real operational needs and build relationships with industry leaders who are actively shaping the future of business in Switzerland.
Learn more about the 2026 startup cohort of the Digital Accelerator Basel.
