The company's purpose is to finance and participate in companies. The company may also conduct all business that is suitable to promote or facilitate the development of the company and the achievement of its purpose, in particular establishing branches in Switzerland and abroad, participating in companies of a similar nature in Switzerland and abroad, and acquiring and disposing of real estate. The company may acquire, manage and transfer patents, trademarks and technical and industrial knowledge, acquire, manage and dispose of properties in Switzerland and abroad, and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, establish branches in Switzerland and abroad, and establish subsidiaries. The company may participate in group financing, in particular by granting loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies, or by providing guarantees or other securities of any kind for their liabilities to third parties, even if these loans or securities are in the exclusive interest of its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and are granted free of charge. The company may conduct all other business that directly or indirectly promotes the aforementioned purposes.