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About
Meet the team
CV VC team
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Mathias Ruch
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Founder and CEO at CV VC, Mathias is an inspirational entrepreneur and investor in the digital startup scene for over 20 years. Before turning his focus to blockchain, he built and exited several successful online and media companies such as FaroTV and Europe’s crowdsourcing pioneer Atizo. Mathias has co-founded the Swiss Blockchain Federation, where he serves as a Board Member and Chairman of the Expert Council. He is a driving force behind the development of the global blockchain startup ecosystem. Mathias is also a Member of the Management Board.
Olaf Hannemann
Co-founder and CIO of CV VC, Olaf is an astute and motivational investor with a 20-year career spanning international corporate banking, finance, and industrial advisory. Before transferring to blockchain, he was a banker at JPMorgan Chase in Switzerland, the UK, and Germany. Prior, he was an M&A and corporate finance advisor to the chemical industry across EMEA. Founder of nourishme GmbH and INTABA-Finance AG. MBA from ECU and BA in International Business from Accadis Hochschule. Olaf is also a Member of the Management Board.
Florian Kohler
As Advisory Board Member of CV Labs, Florian will help further develop the CV Labs ecosystem globally. Florian is a proficient leader, an initiator of successful enterprises, and a crypto and blockchain enthusiast. Florian is also a co-owner of the investment and advisory boutique Einhorn + Rakete AG. From 2013 to 2019, Florian was the CEO of Swiss Ice Hockey, and before that he worked at Swiss radio and television SRF for many years as the Executive Producer. Florian is also a Member of the Management Board.
Lukas Etter
Lukas was involved in building up CV VC from scratch since the very beginning. He is an expert in Blockchain & Crypto (Web 3.0), Entrepreneurship, and VC Investing; he advised numerous startups globally. Lukas accumulated 10+ years of international professional experience in various fields incl. Finance, VC/PE investing, and Strategy & Business Development at global companies such as Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, and LGT CP. Lukas holds an M.A. HSG & B.A. HSG, from University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland.
David Long
David is a Swedish American citizen with in depth tech and asset management experience. Prior to joining CV VC, he served as Managing Partner & Investment Manager at an ESG Asset Management Firm [Progressive Investors Network] and served as an Advisor to multiple tech companies. He currently still serves on the Board of Directors at LaunchSource, an HR SaaS platform headquartered in Boston.
Bastian Wetzel
Bastian is part of the investment team where he is proactively identifying new investment opportunities and collaborating with the team to support CV VC's portfolio. Prior to joining CV VC, Bastian worked in consulting, where he advised financial services firms and monetary authorities on the adoption of blockchain technology. He holds an MA in Banking and Finance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and spent a semester abroad at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.
Sita Chopra
Sita is a Relationship Manager at CV VC and a passionate trader and investor herself. She supports CV VC in finding new investors and cultivates relationships with clients. Before turning her focus to blockchain technology, she worked for Saxo Bank to support clients with trading and investments where she specialized on CFDs, Stocks, ETFS, Mutual Funds and Option trading. Sita holds a BA in Business Administration from the Fachhochschule für Ökonomie & Management and is a certified Turnaround Manager.
Lorenz Furrer
David Portmann
David is assisting the Management Team by helping organize and oversee the daily operations of CV VC, monitor projects, cost and progress as well as ensure stakeholder needs are met. Before joining CV VC, David completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and was able to gain further professional experience as a project manager and consultant in the area of digital transformation.
Gideon Greaves
Gideon is a proud South African with a deep passion for startups who are focussed on creating innovative solutions. As an excellent communicator and visual thinker, Gideon began his career in film and media. He proceeded to high impact leadership roles in the food, transport and gifting sectors. While looking for venture capital to fund his own startup, he fell in love with the early-stage investment space. Since then, he has successfully exited many ventures and worked relentlessly with various enterprises specifically on funding growth strategies.
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Brenton Naicker
Brenton Naicker is an experienced Fintech professional with vast experience and qualifications within the Cryptoasset and Blockchain space. Before joining CV VC he spent two years as the Head of Business Development & Partnerships for Binance in Africa, playing an instrumental role in their growth and dominance across the African continent. Prior to this he founded a boutique Cryptoasset consultancy and co-founded a fintech venture consulting and advisory firm, which is still very active.
Wesley Patrick
Head of Operations, CV VC Africa, Wesley has been active in the blockchain space since 2017. Having successfully raised capital for numerous businesses and being an entrepreneur himself, Wesley has an interest in start-ups and getting them off the ground. As one of the authors of the African Blockchain Report, he has a passion for research, writing, and the many applications of blockchain technology.
Stacey Rethman
Stacey has joined CV VC Africa as Operations focusing on the events and planning of all upcoming African Conferences. Prior to joining CV VC, Stacey was a TV Producer in both agencies and production houses where she produced award winning TV commercials. Stacey was first a performer where she studied a Bachelor of Arts at the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town but soon found her passion for working behind the camera after studying Broadcast Journalism in Washington D.C. When she is not planning, Stacey is a mom and an ultra- marathon runner.
CV Labs team
Tracy Trachsler
Tracy spearheads corporate and institutional engagement at CV Labs. Before joining the team, Tracy served as Head of Business Relations and Corporate Strategy for a Swiss software development and marketing firm, spearheading several digitalization and blockchain projects for clients such as Tommy Hilfiger, Coca Cola, Calvin Klein, and more. She holds an MA in Global Economy & Strategy from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea and an MA in International Affairs and Governance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
Ulrike Lierow-Schad
Located in Berlin, Ulrike has more than a decade of experience in building sustainable organizations and bringing the right people together. During her 15+ years in the consulting industry, she gained a sustainable network internationally as well as in Berlin. Ulrike will further develop the CV Labs ecosystem in Germany, especially our new location in Berlin. Ulrike is a female founder and business angel for companies with focus on circular economy and sustainability.
Isabel Verheggen
Isabel is putting CV Labs on the map by leading all marketing efforts including PR, websites, social media, and more! Prior to joining the team, Isabel worked as Marketing Manager at an independent magazine for sustainable fashion. She holds a MA in Marketing Management from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, and a BA in International Business Administration from the University of Tilburg, the Netherlands. In her free time, Isabel enjoys rock climbing, cooking, and exploring the Swiss mountains.
Janis Aguilar
Janis is building and managing CV Labs’ global Incubator which includes stakeholder management, startup scouting, and startup consultation. Before joining CV Labs, Janis worked in various startups across the globe and started two of his own ventures. He holds a MSC in Organizational innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Copenhagen Business School. In his free time, Janis is passionate about everything Blockchain related, football and exploring the planet earth.
Nicolai Reinbold
Nicolai is leading the global expansion and innovation effort of CV Labs. He identifies new hubs, building a local staff on the ground and helping in the initial setup until a local team is up and running. Next to the expansion, he oversees the innovation efforts such as the global incubator and startup competitions. Besides working at CV Labs, Nicolai co-owns an asian-fusion take-away in the heart of Luzern.
Charlie Papamichael
Charlie recently joined the team in December 2022, having graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA in International Relations and Modern Languages in the summer. Having gained marketing experience through his previous role in the FMCG industry, Charlie is looking to take on the world of Blockchain. In his freetime, Charlie is all things sport, and can be found on the tennis court or rugby pitch.
Fabiola Luna Huerta
Fabiola is engaging and growing CV Labs’ tech and digital assets community. She organizes flagship conferences and hubs such as the CV Summit, the Blockchain Hub at Slush, and events with opinion leaders surrounding CV VC’s research reports. Fabiola previously worked in blockchain security supporting protocols, decentralized exchanges, brokers and crypto banks with their smart contract security needs. At this time she launched the first Swiss Blockchain Security initiative. Fabiola has worked in China, the USA, Europe, and Latin America, and she speaks 7 languages!
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Hugo Bettencourt
Hugo's first venture was a real estate brokerage and consulting company in 2018. After finding success he Co-founded a distribution company in 2021. Additionally over the last five years Hugo has been the Ecosystem Growth Manager of Consensus Capital. He also is an active investor in multiple industries including property, tech, web3 and sports.
Loris Di Minico
Loris is in charge of all things visual - photos, videos, livestreams, and more! Since CV Labs is at the frontline of technology, Loris always strives to keep the look and feel of CV Labs and CV VC fresh and modern. In his free time, Loris always has his camera with him, which helps him develop his creativity even further (both for himself and for CV Labs). Besides this, Loris is really into playing guitar (very loudly).
Connor Millham
Connor started his mediamatician apprenticeship at CV Labs in August 2021 after successfully completing a preliminary design course at the Lucerne School of Art. He is now learning how to develop and implement his design talent into blockchain marketing. As a native Canadian, he has a passion for ice hockey and loves to play with his friends in his free time, either on real ice or roller skates.
Board of directors
Alex Wassmer
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Christian Jaag
Mathias Ruch
Founder and CEO at CV VC, Mathias is an inspirational entrepreneur and investor in the digital startup scene for over 20 years. Before turning his focus to blockchain, he built and exited several successful online and media companies such as FaroTV and Europe’s crowdsourcing pioneer Atizo. Mathias has co-founded the Swiss Blockchain Federation, where he serves as a Board Member and Chairman of the Expert Council. Mathias is also a Member of the Management Board.
CV VC advisory board
Philipp Rösler
Philipp has been a top politician in Germany, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Head of the Foundation of the Chinese HNA Group. For the past years, Rösler has been involved as a multi-board member in various companies and start-ups. About a year ago, he founded his own company, Consessor AG in Zug.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem
Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and has driven its growth from a start-up of 28 member companies in 2003 to the world’s leading free zone in 2021 with over 20,000 member companies from 180 countries, employing over 65,000 people.
Anne Berner
Anne has had numerous years of experience in her field. She was chairman of the Finnish Family Firms association, Member of the board of Koskisen Oy, Koskitukki Oy. As well as being member of the board of Ilmarinen and member of the Board of Soprano Oyj.
Antonio Beja
Antonio has over 20 years of experience navigating the waters of distinct investment opportunities across the world. With a background in Management from INSEAD and a multi-sector professional experience at McKinsey & Co. and in Investment Banking, Antonio has spent the last years defining strategies and coaching senior management teams to deliver results. Antonio’s broad knowledge, leadership and vision has enabled him to successfully lead traditional businesses´ transformation into the digital economy.
Jan Werner
Jan is an Entrepreneur and Investor with a 15-year career history of serving as CFO, CEO and Board Member within billion dollar sports and entertainments companies like Warner Music, Team Marketing and Highlight Event and Entertainment AG. In addition to his corporate governance capabilities, he has strong experience in cross-departmental and cross-cultural leadership.
Kristian Bader
Kristian is an experienced Senior Consultant and Board Member, specialized in the tech, financial and insurance sector. He is a senior leader with broad experience in leadership development and transformation programs and in a wide range of finance topics (Art, Consulting, M&A). Kristian thrives in complex, international environments and his goal is to get the best from his team members while ensuring a clear vision to achieve results.