Interim CTO / Head of Engineering
I took over the overall technical responsibility for a start-up company in the early existence phase (post-seek). This included strategic and operational aspects.
On the strategic side, I realigned the technical USP. The goal was to provide sufficient protection for the technology. Through detailed analyses of the entire technology, I was able to identify the area where development should be focused. Through a focused literature and patent search, I was able to combine the existing technology with a new one. Through simulation I was able to confirm the potential of this combined technology.
An FTO (Freedom to Operate) analysis showed that the new approach was patentable. As a result, I drafted the invention disclosure and prepared the cooperation with a renowned patent attorney’s office.
I prepared the plan and budget for the technical development of the company. From this, I defined and prioritised the necessary actions.
My operational tasks included the experimental testing of the new technology. For this purpose, I designed and built a functional model. It was important for me to find the right way between the greatest possible significance and the use of the least possible financial resources. I conducted and evaluated most of the experiments myself. The results confirmed the predictions from the simulations.
In addition to the technical aspects, I represented the company to the outside world, be it in front of customers, investors, press representatives and interested parties. I explored different funding possibilities (Swiss and European innovation programmes) and took over the responsibility of the technical and IP parts for an application to the EIC (European Innovation Council).
I defined the job profiles of the necessary staff for the establishment of a professional development epartment.
Objectives and key figures
- Strategic orientation analysed and redefined
- New technological approaches checked with simulations
- FTO clarified
- Patenting analysed and prepared
- Overall plan for the technical development created (budget, time, measures, priorities, resources)
- Functional models designed, built, and tested
- Job profiles created for the new employees in development department
- Efficient and flexible IT environment implemented
April 2021 – Today
Budget 100’000 CHF
Working with five people
Start-up in B2B product development