David is 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.
Having worked on social and humanitarian projects for over 15 years in more than half a dozen countries, on four continents, I’ve acquired a first hand understanding of global issues and the importance of human interaction. These experiences have given me a wealth of knowledge and insights that help bring a global perspective to the vision and initiatives of the companies and individuals.
A family man, shutterbug and snowboarder, engaging with you in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and German (basic).
PERSONAL PORTFOLIO
Event host & moderator
Involved in the Zurich startup scene since 2009, David has been managing events for entrepreneurs such as Startup Grind, Zuripreneur Meetup, Failcon, and the FintechDay.
- NOI Technopark, Südtirol – Hosted by ETH Zürich, Dozentenfoyer 2017
Panel discussion moderator
The Italian Chamber of Commerce for Switzerland and IDM Südtirol presented the high-tech investment platform and explained the opportunities for Swiss companies. “Where industry and research work closely together, that’s when innovation comes about” . - SICTIC FinTech Day 2016
Event planning and coordination
The Swiss Fintech Investor Day is a matchmaking event where Swiss fintech startups selected by a jury pitch to find experienced smart money investors. This event is for angel investors and VCs that want to invest in Fintech startups. - FailCon 2013
Event planning, coordination and co-host
FailCon is a one-day conference for entrepreneurs, investors, developers and designers to study their own and others’ failures and prepare for success. - Startup Grind Zurich 2013-present
Event planning and host
Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting entrepreneurs through monthly events featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share lessons learned on the road to building great companies. - Exit Accelerator
Event planning and co-host
Exit Accelerator is a grass-roots, not-for-profit association, with the aim to boost the Swiss start-up and SME ecosystem by promoting conversations about exits.
For consulting, mandates, moderating, event planning, please get in touch with me to see how we can collaborate.
Agni ~ Men’s Group Zurich (eng)
Opening up about your mental health can feel like uncharted territory, often clouded by societal norms. But here’s the truth: vulnerability is not weakness; it’s a courageous step towards healing. By championing diverse models of masculinity that embrace emotional expression and vulnerability, we empower men to prioritize their mental health without fear of judgment.
Bringing you one step closer to become your version of a deeply happy, powerful man – not my version or anyone else’s version.
Circle is Ceremony
- Men have gathered in circles for generations to learn, grow and develop into mature masculine beings.
- This men’s circle is committed to empower men to become more alive, by providing clarity, commitment and accountability in a circle of trust in order to find and express their authentic self and purpose.
Join our monthly gathering: www.agni.la
Startup Grind Zurich – Chapter Director
Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting 1,000,000 entrepreneurs in over 350 cities. We nurture startup ecosystems in 105 countries through events, media, and partnerships with organizations like Google for Entrepreneurs. The cornerstone of our global community are monthly events featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Founded in Silicon Valley, Startup Grind has now hosted 5,000 fireside chats since its founding in 2010. To date, Startup Grind has helped millions of entrepreneurs find mentorship, connect to partners and hires, pursue funding, and reach new users.
Our Values
- We believe in making friends, not contacts.
- We believe in giving, not taking.
- We believe in helping others before helping yourself.
Join our monthly fireside chat: www.StartupGrind.ch
Exit Accelerator – Co-founder
Our mission is to foster & accelerate successful Swiss exits
Exits can benefit startups and SMEs with new resources, investors get a higher IRR, cash is liberated, often to be invested in new projects. Founders may also become investors, reinforcing the ecosystem, creating new job opportunities, and helping other startups succeed.
Liquidity:
Helping connect new investors, such as multinational corporates and private equity funds, with Swiss companies.
Awareness:
Sharing contacts, experience, and knowledge among Swiss founders, board members, and Angel investors.
Culture shift:
Exits can be a fast track for Swiss innovation to gain the world, and pave the way for more to come from here.
Living Startups – Co-founder, Host
A reality film series that gives an authentic look at startup ecosystems, talks to the heroes about the challenges and successes, to promote the innovation happening outside Silicon Valley.
What does it really take to follow your dreams?
Learn from the people who are doing it!
Failcon Switzerland – Co-founder, Host
There’s an old adage that says the only things that are sure in life are death and taxes, which seems particularly true in Switzerland. We’d like to add a third though: If you don’t try you can’t win. The hockey great Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” This holds as true in life and business as it does in sport.
Great leaps in science, technology, business, and society have occurred when people dared to try something new — to take that shot. The most successful experienced feelings of failure and saw attempts at the realization of their goals thwarted. Success cannot exist without failure and those who have never lived through at least one failed attempt cannot experience the highs of true success. Like Edison striving to create the electric lightbulb – each unsuccessful result eliminates a potential option for the expected result and brings us one step closer to that which we hope to create and sometimes even gives us something quite unexpected and worth infinitely more. The only real failures in life are the chances that are not taken because of fear.