Startups and ecosystem players braced for growth

Zurich-based startup RULEMATCH is an interbank trading and settlement venue for cryptocurrencies and digital assets, providing an ultra-low latency, capital-efficient trading and robust market integrity. The company has expanded its board of directors with the election of four new members who bring diverse experience in trading, risk management, cryptography, blockchain and finance, augment the governance of the firm and support RULEMATCH’s strategic growth plans. 

Harald Schnabel has 30 years of experience in trading and exchange operations, which he gained in his role as CEO of BX Swiss AG (Bern Exchange) and CEO of Euwax AG. With the same years of experience is jörg Behrens the former partner at EY and founder of a risk consultancy. His roles in the banking industry include assignments within board risk committees at companies like Cembra Money Bank AG (current) or formerly Leonteq AG, and interactions with various financial regulators. Christian Cachin is a professor of computer science and a widely recognized and published researcher from the University of Bern where he has headed the Cryptology and Data Security Research Group since 2019. During his career, he has worked for IBM Research - Zurich for more than 20 years. The three board members will serve as independent directors. The fourth member is Frithjof Weinert who will represent the startup's investors interests. He is the CFO of Consensys Mesh, an early investor in RULEMATCH, and has 18 years of experience in commercial management, audit, internal audit, accounting & reporting, corporate finance, tax, treasury and finance shared services.

Findependent welcomes former VZ boss to its board
Philipp Marti, former CFO of Vermögenszentrum is the new chairman of the Board of Directors of findependent, the Swiss fintech startup offering an investment app enabling users to buy ETFs. The company has already acquired over 9,000 customers since its market launch in February 2021. With Marti, the company has won an experienced leader with over 24 years of experience in the financial industry to fuel its growth strategy. Alongside his CFO role at VZ, he was a member of the Executive Board of VZ Holding as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Swiss subsidiaries of VZ Holding AG and a member of the Supervisory Board of VZ Depotbank in Germany.

The startup ecosystem also welcomed new leaders

Innosuisse gets new Board member
The Federal Council has elected Anna Valente to the board of directors of Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. Valeta is the professor of Industrial Robotics at the Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI) and will contribute her many years of experience in research and innovation to the Innosuisse board. In her role as head of the Laboratory for Automation Robotics and Machines, she works with major research institutions and industrial players, giving her a vast network nationally and internationally. Anna Valente was active as an expert in the evaluation of funding applications at Innosuisse between 2018 and 2023 and now as a board member, the innovation agency ensures that the close links between science and business and the diversity of Innosuisse's board are maintained.

Abionic CEO joins Foundation Campus Biotech
Since this month, Fondation Campus Biotech Geneva has been headed by Nicolas Durand, the founder and former CEO of Abionic, which he founded 14 years ago.  With an extensive background in nanotechnologies applied to life sciences, Dr Durand brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will undoubtedly steer the foundation towards continued success and growth. In addition, he is a Board Member of Economiesuisse and of the Chambre Vaudoise du Commerce et de l’Industrie.

Farewell to Judith Bellaiche from SWICO
After five years of managing the Swiss Association of ICT-suppliers, SWICO, Judith Bellauche has resigned from her role through which she expanded the association's membership base to 500+ and range of services and significantly increased the association's visibility. Thanks to her dual role as a member of the National Council, she was able to place digital issues in the political and public arena and represent the interests of the industry in the best possible way. The search for a successor will start soon.

(RAN)