Via publicly-funded and private partners, the PhytoArk technology site aims to bring together all the specialist skills required by startups and established companies for the large-scale manufacture of finished products based on natural ingredients. It offers the following specialist skills:

• Conceptualisation of the envisaged product: marketing positioning, market studies, regulatory matters, intellectual property, feasibility studies, etc.
• Development of new ingredients: sourcing, trade, agronomic development, screening and objectivation, toxicology and approval, small-scale production, etc.
• Formulation and prototyping of finished products: laboratory testing and production of a pilot batch, validation
• Production, packaging, release of batches and logistics
• Bringing to market: network, distribution, pricing, etc.

Within PhytoArk, startups and innovative companies can make use of the following services from The Ark:

• Accelerator: assistance in the commercial development of new technologies
• Incubator: professional help in starting business projects
• Innovation: support in the development of business innovation

PhytoArk works in close collaboration with its partners, Mediplant and the Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil (ACW) research centre at Conthey. They domesticate, select and cultivate alpine plants that are of interest.