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Born on a Hike
Swiss deeptech materials innovator
For more than two decades, we have turned breakthrough science into practical, disruptive material technologies. Today, our innovations power product launches for more than 300 global brands in over 60 countries. Each year, we receive major industry recognitions for our achievements.
What began as a two‑person research venture has grown into a global deeptech materials innovation leader, continuing a strong upward trajectory since our inception.
Our journey
Like any great journey, ours has climbed peaks and crossed valleys.
For over 20 years, more minds have joined us in the pursuit of better material technologies. See how each step has taken us higher.
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Key event
Inception of HeiQ by Carlo Centonze and Murray Height
Award
Siska-Heuberger Prize
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Award
W.A. DeVigier Foundation Award
IMD Startup Award
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Award
McKinsey / ETH Venture PrizeVenture Leaders Award
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Key event
Acquired textile chemicals company Tex-A-Tec
Award
KTI Technology Entrepreneur Award
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Award
Finalist E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year (Carlo Centonze)
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Key event
Launched Oilguard during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Award
Winner Swiss Technology Award (Oilguard)
Winner Swiss Equity Fair
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Award
European Environmental Press Award (Oilguard)
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Key event
First brand collaboration: Odlo introduced products with HeiQ’s antimicrobial silver technology
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Key event
First Fortune 500 customer: Hanes launched X-Temp powered by HeiQ Smart Temp (Adaptive)
Award
Finalist Swiss of the Year
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Key event
Established HeiQ in Australia
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Award
Swiss Top 10 McKinseyVenture Graduate
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Award
Swiss Technology Fund Award
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Key event
Established HeiQ in USA (NC & GA) through acquisition of ChemTex Laboratories
Award
Top 30 Swiss Growth Champions
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Award
Finalist E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year (Carlo Centonze)
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Key event
Expanded with HeiQ Iberia and HeiQ China (Shanghai and Taiwan)
Award
Winner Swiss Environmental Award (HeiQ Clean Tech)
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Key event
Launched HeiQ Viroblock, antiviral textile technology amid Covid19 pandemic, gaining global media attention
Listed on London Stock Exchange, raising £60 million
Award
Winner Swiss Technology Award (HeiQ Viroblock)
Runner-up Swiss Venture Club / Credit Suisse award
PLC Award
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Key event
Established HeiQ Belgium, HeiQ Thailand and HeiQ Germany by acquisition (Chrisal, Life Material Technologies, RAS) becoming a innovation engine for across industries.
Award
CFI Award
EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Carlo Centonze)
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Key event
Initiated AeoniQ by building a team in Austria
Award
Selection 2023/24 ISPO Textrends Award (HeiQ AeoniQ™)
European CEO of the Year Textile Industry (Carlo Centonze)
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Key event
Acquisiton of Regulatory assets "Tarn Pure"
Award
ISPO Award (HeiQ AeoniQ™ x HUGO BOSS Polo Shirt)
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Key event
Returned to private ownership
Award
ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award (HeiQ AeoniQ™)
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Key event
Spun off HeiQ AeoniQ™ through a joint venture
Spun off HeiQ XReflex to the joint venture partner
Established HeiQ Korea
Award
Winner German Sustainability Award Products 2026
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News: Carlo Centonze, CEO & Co-founder of HeiQ, wins prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 Award!
HeiQ is extremely proud to announce that its CEO and Co-founder, Carlo Centonze has been bestowed the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This is a testimony to the unstoppable nature and spirit of the man who established and drove the Swiss innovation leader for materials, HeiQ, to its current global renown.Read moreHeiQ is extremely proud to announce that its CEO and Co-founder, Carlo Centonze has been bestowed the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This is a testimony to the unstoppable nature and spirit of the man who established and drove the Swiss innovation leader for materials, HeiQ, to its current global renown.
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.”
