Nicolas Buerer | Digital Thread Podcast | Momenta

Alpine Transformation

In this week's episode, Ken Forster speaks with Nicolas Bürer, former Managing Director of digitalswitzerland, a Swiss-wide, multi-stakeholder initiative with the mission to '"Make Switzerland a Leading Digital Innovation Hub."

Nicolas began his career in management consulting after graduating from the renowned EPFL (École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) in Switzerland. He found his passion in consulting startups, which led him to co-found Movu in 2014, which he sold to the Swiss insurance group in 2017. He then took the helm of digitalswitzerland, expanding the organization from a regional initiative to a nationwide one with over 240 sponsoring organizations. He just recently left after 5 years to focus on his next startup in digital manufacturing. Nicolas is an active investor in technology startups and has received among the “Who is Who of the Swiss Economy” and “Swiss Business Angel of the Year.”

Discussion Points:

• What would you consider to be your 'Digital Thread'?
• I appreciated your comment about finding your passion with startups. How did this come about?
• What did your first startup, Movu, teach you about startups and entrepreneurship in Switzerland?
• In 2016, you took on your most difficult role as Managing Director of digitalswitzerland, with the goal of making Switzerland a leading global innovation hub. What drew you to this position, and what was your remit?
• What were your main areas of focus, and what are some of your most notable victories?
• We've interviewed leading digital industry practitioners from across the digital industry space globally. Many are leading digital transformations across their companies, clients, or even ecosystems. What advice would you offer them based on your alpine transformation?
• Switzerland recently announced a national venture investment program to invest in Swiss Venture Capital companies as a culmination of your efforts. How do you think this will affect innovation in Switzerland?
• You've just recently turned over the reins at digitalswitzerland to focus on your next startup, which is in digital manufacturing. What can you tell us about this startup?
• In closing, how do you find your personal inspiration?