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At EHL, we don’t just study the future, we design it. Through our Innovation Hub and Research Institutes, we merge actionoriented learning with applied research to pioneer solutions that shape tomorrow’s hospitality landscape and focus on what matters most: putting people and their ideas and dreams first. 

From empowering student-led startups to leading global research partnerships, our programs connect students, alumni, and industry leaders around the world in order to develop new ideas, strategies and to overcome real-world challenges, ranging from a variety of topics such as sustainability, regenerative hospitality or digital solutions to further improve the guest experience.  

EHL’s innovation and research ecosystem equips tomorrow’s leaders with the mindset, tools, and partnerships to drive meaningful, human-centered change. By uniting curious minds and diverse expertise, we spark innovations that resonate beyond hospitality all whilst empowering growth and nurturing excellence in human experience. 

EHL Innovation Hub

EHL's Innovation Hub is at the forefront of fostering sustainable innovation and impact entrepreneurship across Industries such as travel, hospitality and tourism, Edtech, Foodtech, Agritech, and PropTech with more than 65 active startups and over 500 scouted projects per year. Our commitment extends to our students and alumni and external startups and founders, creating a dynamic ecosystem where the seeds of innovation can thrive and collaboration is celebrated. 

Whether you’re a student innovator, a startup founder, or an industry leader, the Hub offers a collaborative environment to accelerate ideas — with access to expert mentoring, innovation spaces, and funding opportunities. 

EHL Open Innovation Summit 2025

Watch the recap video of the first EHL Open Innovation Summit, where over 400 participants and 48 speakers from more than 20 countries, including students, alumni, startups, industry leaders, and academic experts, came together to co-create and discuss the future of hospitality.

Innovation Hub Programs and Membership

The EHL Innovation Hub brings together students, startups, researchers, and industry leaders to explore and develop forward-thinking solutions. Through hands-on programs, ranging from challenge-based projects to pilot testing and venture support, participants gain the tools, space, and guidance to turn ideas into tangible outcomes. Members benefit from a collaborative environment and access to workspaces, coaching, and visibility within a trusted network of academic experts, industry leaders and partners. 

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Research at EHL

Applied Research: Faculty members conduct applied hospitality research in a variety of managerial disciplines. Researchers tackle applied research questions for the benefit of the industry while simultaneously contributing to excellence in hospitality research.

Research Institutes: Our institutes give access to dedicated multi-disciplinary teams of faculty and staff to deliver solutions in a collaborative manner. 

Innovation on Every Campus

EHL Campus

Lausanne's Campus of the Future

The new Lausanne campus features the latest technologies and the programs  integrate innovation into the learning experience with activities such as R&D workshops, product prototype testing, and a chance for students to intern in their own start-up. 

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Passugg's Multisensory Restaurant

The Elysium is both a training restaurant and a digital classroom in Campus Passugg where students experience first-hand how exclusive gourmet cuisine can be combined with the latest digital effects to create a unique experience.

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Singapore's High-tech Culture

Singapore is the world's leading technology innovation hub, according to KPMG's annual survey of global technology leaders for 2020. EHL students benefit from total immersion in this tech-minded culture where they will see the latest trends put into action.