Module 1

Ask the Investors: What Really Wins Funding?

Feel the startup groove

1. December 2025 18:00 - 21:00

We are happy to invite you to Startup Stories: Ask the Investors – What Really Wins Funding?

Join us for an inspiring evening of real talk, insights, and networking with investors and founders from across the Swiss startup ecosystem.

At this special edition of Startup Stories, leading investors will share what truly influences funding decisions – from traction and timing to team dynamics and long-term vision. Expect open conversations, honest perspectives, and practical advice you can apply to your own fundraising journey.

The event takes place at The Loft Zürich, located directly on Bahnhofstrasse – a central and vibrant setting that reflects the energy of Switzerland’s innovation scene. After the panel discussion, enjoy an apero where you’ll have the chance to meet speakers, investors, and fellow founders in a relaxed atmosphere.

Attendance is free of charge, but seats are limited – make sure to secure your spot early.

This Startup Stories event is powered by Innosuisse.

Speaker

Dr. Johann Schlieper

Dr. Johann Schlieper has an education in business administration with specialization in marketing and advertising psychology. His professional experience is in consulting, as an automotive manager and eCommerce service provider. Since 2008 he has worked mainly with smart consumer products (e.g. smart, Tesla), software and internet platforms. He was also president of Business Angels Switzerland and director of the US based Founder Fnstitute. Now he supports the Swiss startup ecosystem as a coach and personal business angel. As a lecturer, he teaches at various universities and management institutes.

Guy Giuffredi

Guy Giuffredi is General Partner and Co-Founder of Koyo Capital and Co-Host of the Burn Rate podcast, with previous experience as an Early-Stage Director and portfolio lead at ZID. He is deeply involved in Switzerland’s startup ecosystem as an expert, mentor and lecturer. Guy holds a DPhil in Chemistry from the University of Oxford and an EMBA.

Kelly Carroll

Kelly Carroll is an active advisor and angel investor in the Swiss start-up ecosystem, and Board Member at OrthoSens. She is a seasoned life sciences executive with a strong track record in pharma launch excellence, commercial operations, and new market entry. Kelly also mentors founders through the various University of Basel’s Entrepreneurship programmes including SPARK Switzerland. She is a member of both Swiss Health Angels and Medkap business angel associations and also invests abroad in Canada and the US.

Hans Dellenbach

Hans Dellenbach is a Senior Partner as well as the CFO of Emerald Technology Ventures and based in the Zurich office. He joined Emerald shortly after its creation in 2001 and over the years held several positions at Emerald, both within the investment team as well as on the corporate side. Today, he is responsible for corporate development, which includes developing business ideas and launching new products, as well as driving digital and corporate finance initiatives. Prior to joining Emerald, he was a financial controller with Switzerland’s largest tour operator Kuoni Travel and held other positions in the travel industry in Switzerland and abroad. Hans holds a bachelor’s degree with a major in finance from the School of Economics and Business Administration in Zurich/Winterthur and is a CFA charterholder.

Katja Einesalo

Katja Einesalo is an impact-driven investor and advisor with deep experience across sustainable finance, M&A, capital markets and strategic investor communications. Formerly Director of Responsible Investment at a Finnish pension fund and an investment banker, she has evaluated companies from both financial and ESG perspectives and understands what drives investor decisions. Today, she works closely with early-stage founders through her company Sarida Ventures as a fractional CFO/CSO and strategic advisor, helping them shape strategy, financials, and storytelling to win funding. She is passionate about supporting mission-driven teams in translating financial complexity into clarity that accelerates growth, investment readiness and long-term value creation. She is a member of SICTIC and FIBAN.