From Alpine Heritage to Future Innovation: The Heierling Family at Global Business Week 2026 in Davos
The fourth and fifth generations of one of Switzerland’s most remarkable family businesses shared their story at the Global Business Week's World Business Forum
Davos is internationally recognised as a place where leaders discuss the future. Yet some of the most powerful visions of the future are built upon traditions that have survived for generations.
At the World Business Forum held as part of Global Business Week 2026 in Davos, Hans-Martin Heierling and his son, Fadri Noel Heierling, delivered an inspiring presentation about family entrepreneurship, succession, craftsmanship and innovation.
Their appearance represented a particularly meaningful moment for everyone involved in a family business: a father and son standing together as the fourth and fifth generations of a distinguished Swiss entrepreneurial family.
Family businesses are not created for one financial quarter or even one generation. Their greatest strength lies in their ability to transfer knowledge, professional standards, values and responsibility from parents to children.
During the presentation, Hans-Martin Heierling looked at his son with unmistakable enthusiasm, hope and pride. Fadri represents the next generation and is helping to guide the heritage dimension of the family enterprise.
This was more than a presentation about ski boots. It was a living example of succession in action.
The moment illustrated one of the most important principles of sustainable family entrepreneurship: the next generation should not simply inherit a company. It must understand its history, earn the trust of the family and employees, and discover how to reinterpret the business for a changing world.
Far below the border between France and Switzerland, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator has temporarily gone quiet. After years of sending proton beams around its 27-kilometre underground ring and colliding them at almost the speed of light, CERN’s Large Hadron Collider has entered an extended shutdown.
The silence, however, does not mean inactivity. Across the enormous underground complex, thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians are removing ageing components, installing advanced systems and carrying out one of the most complex scientific upgrades ever undertaken.
When the machine returns to operation around 2030, it will begin a new chapter as the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider, or HL-LHC. The upgraded accelerator is expected to generate approximately seven times more collision data than the version of the LHC that enabled the discovery of the Higgs boson.
For those who have worked on the project for many years, the shutdown represents far more than a technical pause. It is the transition between two generations of particle physics.
My involvement in the High-Luminosity programme began before the Higgs boson was discovered in 2012. Over almost two decades, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the development of the upgraded collider through work in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
In the US, I served as upgrade coordinator for the Compact Muon Solenoid, known as CMS, one of the principal experiments operating at the LHC. CMS is positioned around one of the locations where two proton beams collide. Its vast and highly sophisticated detector records the particles produced in those collisions, allowing physicists to reconstruct and analyse what occurred.
My role involved helping to coordinate the international effort to prepare CMS for the much more demanding environment of the High-Luminosity collider.
Today, at Oxford, I work with Atlas, another major LHC experiment. Atlas and CMS pursue many of the same scientific questions using independently designed detectors and separate research teams. This duplication is essential: an important discovery made by one experiment must be confirmed by the other before the scientific community can have full confidence in the result.
Our Oxford team is producing silicon pixel detector modules for the upgraded Atlas inner tracking system. These modules will sit close to the point where proton collisions occur and will help record the paths of newly created particles with exceptional accuracy.
Recently, I watched the first complete pixel ring being assembled in Oxford. It was both technically impressive and unexpectedly beautiful: a finely organised structure of silicon sensors, electronics and support materials, representing years of design work, testing, refinement and international cooperation.
For the first time, something that had existed mainly in technical drawings, simulations, prototypes and meeting presentations had become a complete physical object.
Yet our contribution is only one part of a much larger international effort. The upgraded Atlas detector will contain thousands of components designed and produced by institutions around the world. Every element must operate as part of a single system before the HL-LHC can begin exploring the next frontier of particle physics.
The world of education is undergoing rapid transformation — and the Global Education Forum 2026 has united leaders, innovators, and practitioners to address this change at one of the most important international platforms. After successful editions in London, Glasgow, Istanbul, and the Maldives, the forum returns to Davos to focus on the challenges and opportunities shaping education in the digital age.
The Global Education Forum 2026, held in Davos on 10 July as part of Global Business Week 2026, brought together representatives of primary, secondary and higher education, supplementary and extracurricular education, educational franchises, technology companies, curriculum developers, researchers, entrepreneurs and education innovators from more than 40 countries.
The Forum created a rare international space in which leaders from different parts of the educational ecosystem could examine the same fundamental question: how should education change when technology, labour markets, business models and social expectations are transforming faster than traditional institutions can respond?
The participants represented a broad spectrum of education—from schools and universities to business academies, professional training organisations, franchise networks, online platforms, educational technology companies and developers of new teaching methodologies.
This diversity was especially important because education could no longer be analysed as a collection of isolated institutions. It had become a global, interconnected industry that combined public services, private investment, digital platforms, intellectual property, technology, content production, certification, employment preparation and lifelong human development.
The discussions in Davos showed that the education sector was entering one of the most important periods of transformation in its history.
Forum features a
strong international line-up of speakers, entrepreneurs, educators and business
leaders, including: Prof. Andrew Azarov (UK), Christina Batruch
(Switzerland), Dr. Olga
Azarova (UK), Arvils Pekuless (Latvia), Liudmyla Stanislavenko (Ukraine), Wendy
Silinyana (South Africa), Elena Chirich (Australia), Lyazzat Alshinova
(Kazakhstan), Narmina Hasanova (Azerbaijan), Jamilya Kerimova (Turkmenistan), Dinora Saitova
(Kazakhstan), Tatiana Markova (Ukraine), Paul Goggin (UK), Mehmet Boy (Turkey), Irina Khazhalia (Georgia) and many
other distinguished experts, entrepreneurs, educators and representatives of
business communities.
Startup World Cup Championship 2026 United Young Entrepreneurs from Around the World in Davos
9–17 July 2026 | Davos, Switzerland
The Startup World Cup Championship 2026 was successfully held in Davos, Switzerland, as part of Global Business Week 2026, bringing together children, young people and adults with a shared ambition to transform innovative ideas into real businesses.
The Championship became a powerful international platform for the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders. It united participants who were not only dreaming about the future, but were actively creating it through entrepreneurship, technology, creativity and social innovation.
Young talents presented startup projects, developed entrepreneurial thinking, tested their ideas before an international audience and learned how to build sustainable companies capable of generating value, creating jobs, attracting investment and contributing to long-term economic growth.
Global Business Week 2026 and the Startup World Cup Championship welcomed entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, family-business owners, corporate leaders, educators, innovators, youth entrepreneurs and national business delegations from more than 40 countries.
Participants arrived from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Taiwan, Australia, South Africa, Lithuania, Canada and many other countries.
This international diversity created a unique environment for cross-border cooperation, business diplomacy, knowledge exchange and the development of new professional relationships. The Championship demonstrated that entrepreneurial talent had no age, nationality or geographical boundaries.
Children, young people and adults worked within a shared global ecosystem in which ideas were evaluated according to their relevance, innovation, social value, commercial potential and capacity for future development.
From Ideas to Real Startup Projects
The Startup World Cup Championship was not simply a competition. It represented the final stage of a long educational and entrepreneurial journey.
Participants had researched markets, identified real problems, developed products and services, created business models, tested their concepts, prepared financial calculations and designed professional presentations. During the Championship, they presented their startups before an international jury of entrepreneurs, investors, educators and business experts.
Winners of the Startup World Cup Championship 2026
SIFE MINIBOSS League
🥇 1st Place — SolEase, South Africa
🥈 2nd Place — School Assistants, Turkmenistan
🥉 3rd Place — Smell Well, Azerbaijan
SAGE MINIBOSS League
🥇 1st Place — Mood Battery, Slovakia
🥈 2nd Place — Happy Friends, Australia
🥉 3rd Place — IRS Bow, Azerbaijan
SAGE BIGBOSS League
🥇 1st Place — Guide for Pregnant Women, Ukraine
🥈 2nd Place — AvatArt, United Kingdom
🥉 3rd Place — Fitio, United Kingdom–Ukraine
The winning projects reflected the remarkable diversity of the Championship. They addressed social, educational, health, lifestyle and technological challenges while demonstrating creativity, entrepreneurial responsibility and strong development potential.
Every finalist also became a winner through the experience gained, the international contacts established and the confidence developed during the competition.
The conclusion of Global Business Week 2026 marked far more than the successful completion of another international business event. It demonstrated how entrepreneurship is evolving into one of the world's most influential diplomatic forces—bringing together leaders, innovators, educators, investors, and entrepreneurs from more than 40 countries to accelerate global cooperation through business.
At a time when geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and economic transformation are reshaping the international landscape, Global Business Week has established itself as a platform where practical solutions are exchanged, strategic partnerships are formed, and the future of global entrepreneurship is actively designed.
A Week of Global Leadership
Throughout nine intensive days, hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, educators, startup founders, corporate executives, innovators, government representatives, and business leaders gathered in Davos to participate in one of the most comprehensive international business programmes of the year.
Global Business Week united multiple world-class events under one global platform, including:
World Business Forum
Startup World Cup Championship
World Woman Forum
Global Education Forum
Global Country Night & Parade of Nations
TOP-100 World Changers Awards
Family Business Camp
Business Matching & International Partnership Sessions
Each event addressed a different dimension of modern entrepreneurship while contributing to one common objective: strengthening international cooperation through innovation, education, leadership, and business diplomacy.
Twenty-Seven Industries. One Global Conversation.
One of the defining characteristics of Global Business Week 2026 was the extraordinary diversity of industries represented.
Entrepreneurs presented innovative business models, breakthrough technologies, and practical solutions across 27 different sectors, including:
Artificial Intelligence
Information Technology
Robotics and Automation
Manufacturing
Industrial Engineering
Retail and Consumer Goods
Food Production
Greenhouse Agriculture
Biotechnology
Healthcare
Education
EdTech
Family Business
Franchising
Finance and Investment
Construction
Real Estate
Tourism and Hospitality
Creative Industries
Media
Marketing
Sustainable Development
Circular Economy
Logistics
International Trade
Professional Services
Social Entrepreneurship
Rather than discussing innovation as a theoretical concept, participants demonstrated innovations already being implemented across the world—solutions creating measurable economic value and improving everyday life in communities on every continent.
Entrepreneurs as Global Ambassadors
One of the most important conclusions emerging from Global Business Week 2026 is that entrepreneurs today play a role extending far beyond business.
They are among the first to identify new technologies, adapt to economic shifts, create employment, introduce innovation, and build bridges between nations.
The participants of Global Business Week represent some of the most influential entrepreneurial communities in their respective countries. Many are founders, investors, educators, franchise developers, manufacturers, technology pioneers, and industry leaders whose decisions directly affect thousands—and in many cases millions—of people.
This makes entrepreneurship one of the fastest channels for international knowledge transfer.
Ideas presented in Davos are rapidly implemented across national markets through business networks, educational institutions, investment communities, and international partnerships.
The
Forum will be opened by Christina Batruch, daughter of Bohdan
Hawrylyshyn, co-founder and first Director of the World Economic
Forum. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, making the
opening of the Forum especially symbolic and historically meaningful.
GLOBAL
BUSINESS WEEK features a strong international line-up of speakers,
entrepreneurs, educators and business leaders, including: Andrew Azarov (UK),Evan Yang (Republic of China),
Christina Batruch
(Switzerland), Dr Olga Azarova (UK), Dr Liudmyla Stanislavenko (Ukraine),
Arvils Pekuless (Latvia), Elena Vykhrystyuk (Ukraine),Cherry Chang (Republic of China),Wendy Silinyana
(South Africa), Elena Lee (Kazakhstan), Elena
Chirich (Australia), Lyazzat Alshinova (Kazakhstan), Alan Chen (Republic of China), Narmina
Hasanova (Azerbaijan), Watceilia
Varso (Australia), Jamilya Kerimova (Turkmenistan), Tatiana Markova (Germany), Paul Goggin (UK),Dr Irene Khajalia (Georgia), Svitlana Yashchenok (Austria), Kivanc Gorkem Uclertopragi (Turkey), Irina Nikolenko
(Poland), Irina Selevestru (Moldova), Stefaniia Didenko (Ukraine),
Maria Luisa Huidobro (Spain), Inga Malakmadze (Georgia), Ira Goel (Germany),
Siphawe Gumede (South Africa), Aurika Vranchanu (Switzerland) and many
other distinguished experts.
Business Diplomacy: A New Global Infrastructure
Global Business Week continues to strengthen the concept of Business Diplomacy.
Unlike traditional diplomacy, which primarily operates through governments, Business Diplomacy builds relationships through entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, investors, and private-sector leaders.
Trust established between entrepreneurs often develops faster than formal political agreements.
Business partnerships naturally encourage:
international investment,
technology transfer,
educational collaboration,
startup acceleration,
market expansion,
and long-term economic cooperation.
In an increasingly interconnected world, entrepreneurs have become ambassadors of economic stability and international understanding.
From Inspiration to Implementation
Unlike many conferences that conclude when the final session ends, Global Business Week is designed as an implementation platform.
Participants leave not only inspired but equipped with:
new strategic partnerships,
investment opportunities,
international distributors,
educational collaborations,
franchise development opportunities,
startup mentors,
cross-border business agreements,
and practical action plans.
Networking is not treated as a side activity—it is integrated into every stage of the programme.
This creates measurable business outcomes that continue long after the event concludes.
Investing in Human Capital
Another defining feature of Global Business Week is its emphasis on people rather than products.
The forum recognizes that sustainable economic growth begins with entrepreneurial education, leadership development, ethical business practices, and the continuous exchange of knowledge.
This philosophy was reflected across every programme—from the Global Education Forum to the Startup World Cup Championship and the World Woman Forum.
The event highlighted that investing in entrepreneurs ultimately means investing in stronger communities, more resilient economies, and greater international prosperity.
The Strategic Importance of Global Business Week
As the global economy becomes increasingly driven by innovation, international collaboration is no longer optional—it is essential.
Global Business Week serves as a strategic platform where entrepreneurs from diverse cultures and industries learn from one another, build trust, and create partnerships capable of generating long-term economic value.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of Global Business Week 2026 was not measured by the number of speeches delivered or meetings held, but by the quality of the relationships created.
These relationships form the foundation of future investments, international ventures, educational initiatives, technology transfer, and sustainable global growth.
Looking Ahead
The success of Global Business Week 2026 in Davos confirms an important reality:
The future of international cooperation will increasingly be shaped not only by governments, but by entrepreneurs.
When business leaders from more than 40 countries gather with a shared commitment to innovation, education, ethical leadership, and collaboration, they create something far greater than a conference.
They create a global ecosystem of trust.
And in today's world, trust remains the most valuable currency of all.
Startup World Cup Championship 2026 United Young Entrepreneurs from Around the World in Davos
9–17 July 2026 | Davos, Switzerland
The Startup World Cup Championship 2026 was successfully held in Davos, Switzerland, as part of Global Business Week 2026, bringing together children, young people and adults with a shared ambition to transform innovative ideas into real businesses.
The Championship became a powerful international platform for the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders. It united participants who were not only dreaming about the future, but were actively creating it through entrepreneurship, technology, creativity and social innovation.
Young talents presented startup projects, developed entrepreneurial thinking, tested their ideas before an international audience and learned how to build sustainable companies capable of generating value, creating jobs, attracting investment and contributing to long-term economic growth.
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