Switzerland is associated primarily with banks, expensive wristwatches and chocolate.
Not then, you might think, a country especially suited to launching a startup — but you’d be wrong. Long a hub for high-tech and medical sciences, Switzerland now boasts an ecosystem of Internet entrepreneurs that’s blossoming as fast as the proverbial Edelweiss in spring. Small country, enormous potential.
So it is exciting that we can launch Startup Grind here in Zurich, and with such a successful startup and entrepreneur as Johannes Reck of GetYourGuide.
It is often a debate of where Switzerland ranks in the European startup scene. While it is a quite and shy ecosystem, it is highly innovative and active. One has to know where to look.
I look forward to all that we will learn from the entrepreneurs who will be sharing with us here in Zurich their ups and downs, and lessons learned along the way to Startup Success.
About the Author
An expert in startup culture and entrepreneurship, known as the “Go to guy” in the Swiss entrepreneurial ecosystem. Involved in the Zurich startup scene since 2009, David has been managing events for entrepreneurs such as Startup Grind, Zuripreneur Meetup, Failcon, FintechDay, and mentoring / judging at Mass Challenge, Startup Weekend, Founder Institute. Always connecting founders and investors, advising startups, with a passion to inspire the next big thing.
David is building bridges between technology and business. With a background in product development and technical implementation, combined with experience in problem diagnosing and solving, helping startups and business clients translate their needs and those of the market into new features, refinements and products. As Director of Startup Grind Zurich, I forge connections between local and global entrepreneurs, experts, executives and investors.
As a serial networker and social media aficionado, his love for testing beta versions of new products coming out of Zurich’s many startups has made him a sought-after advisor in many industries. A family man, shutterbug and snowboarder, engaging with you in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and German (basic).
