Authors: Nela Lakovic, Marketing Services & Events Team Leader, Leister Technologies LLC / USA; Anja Wieder, Corporate Communications Manager, Leister Group
The opportunity of a lifetime
Kiara is in her third year of mechanical engineering studies and works part-time at the same time – a balancing act that requires commitment and passion. The opportunity of a lifetime began at the "Young Talents for Innovative Industries 2025" event, organized by Swissmem in collaboration with Axetris, Leister, and other partners.
During this two-day workshop in Sarnen and Lucerne, young talents developed innovative solutions for real-world industrial challenges and learned about design thinking methods. The grand prize: a trip to Photonics West in San Francisco.
The winner impressed with her commitment and wealth of ideas – and was rewarded with a trip to the world's largest photonics trade fair in January 2026. "I found the topic exciting and signed up immediately – without knowing that there was a raffle for a trip," she says.
She first encountered Axetris at the "Young Talents" event – a company that is committed to promoting young talent. "I had hardly any previous experience with photonics, except for a short internship in the field of endoscopes. But I was immediately fascinated by the diversity of applications.”
Swissmem and Axetris: Working together for the future
Swissmem has been committed to getting students excited about photonics for many years. "We regularly organize events to promote exchange between industry and young talent," explains Christian Erik Thoeny, Head of the Swissmem Photonics Sector. “The raffle for a trip to Photonics West is a highlight – and Kiara was the lucky winner.”
Axetris actively supports this initiative. "It is important for us to open the doors to a future-oriented industry for young people," emphasizes the company. At the trade fair, Kiara was not only able to experience the latest technologies, but also make valuable contacts.
