What does it take to turn an ETH Zurich spin-off into a robotics company that gets an email from Jeff Bezos?
In this 3-part video series, RIVR’s founders share how Greater Zurich’s talent, ecosystem, and location helped them scale autonomous delivery robots to global markets.
From professionally comparing the world’s top tech hubs to a global talent and manufacturing formula to compete with Big Tech – this series is packed with insights for robotics companies planning their next strategic location.
1. Robotics & AI talent hub
Why Greater Zurich attracts the world’s best robotics & AI engineers
Giorgio Valsecchi, RIVR's co-founder and CTO, could have taken his robotics career anywhere. After working at NASA and in Japan, he had the freedom to choose his next move. So he did what any engineer would do: an Excel sheet, ranking global locations for talent, research, and opportunity. The results?
“We need to hire the best talents (...) and that’s why we are here.”
Today, RIVR’s headquarters are in Zurich, surrounded by one of Europe’s most concentrated pools of robotics and AI expertise. The company was born as an ETH Zurich spin-off, and that ecosystem still fuels their IP generation, research partnerships, and recruitment of world-class talent.
▶️ How a NASA engineer’s Excel sheet ranked Greater Zurich as the top global robotics hub
▶️ The ecosystem advantage that keeps top robotics and AI talent coming here
▶️ Why Greater Zurich outperformed other European innovation centers in the founders’ search
2. Go-Big-Mindset
How Swiss startups scale globally – and land Jeff Bezos
When RIVR’s founders decided to scale globally, they didn’t wait for opportunities to come to them – they got on planes. Co-founder and CEO Marco Bjelonic flew to Silicon Valley, met investors, got introductions, and kept building connections until one day an email landed: Jeff Bezos wanted to talk.
“We wanted to build a very exciting company. We wanted to have the mindset of go big or go home.”
From that first meeting and pitch, Bezos was convinced – not just by RIVR’s robotics and AI technology, but by their ambition to go big. With Bezos on board, RIVR gained US credibility – and the push to scale faster than ever.
▶️ How Switzerland’s market reality pushes startups to think global from day one
▶️ The Silicon Valley networking path that led to a pitch with Jeff Bezos
▶️ The scaling challenges robotics startups must overcome to compete globally
Why Greater Zurich works for robotics
Why Greater Zurich works for robotics
RIVR isn’t alone. In Greater Zurich, more than 100 robotics companies and research institutions are shaping the future of automation, intelligence, and design – across industries and around the world.
3. Strategic hub for success
Greater Zurich links world-class talent to global markets and manufacturing power
From Greater Zurich, RIVR can reach Europe’s biggest markets in hours – and North America or Asia in a single flight. Switzerland’s central location and reputation for neutrality make it an ideal base for international business.
Here, RIVR has the innovation talent, resources, and ecosystem to design and advance its robotics technology. And when scaling requires additional capabilities, the team connects seamlessly with mass manufacturing and tooling expertise in Asia — an advantage made possible by Greater Zurich’s global reach.
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That combination – Swiss R&D excellence, European and US market access, and Asian manufacturing expertise – gives RIVR the reach to compete with the world’s biggest tech companies.
▶️ How Greater Zurich’s central location connects companies to all major markets in one flight
▶️ Why Swiss neutrality strengthens international business relationships
▶️ The global talent and manufacturing formula RIVR uses to compete with Big Tech
Ready to scale your robotics business?
Ready to scale your robotics business?
Whether you're building physical AI, last-mile delivery solutions, or intelligent mobility platforms, Greater Zurich Area AG offers free support to help you succeed. We provide personalized advice, connections, and ecosystem access for international tech companies.
Our services are free of charge and include:
- Introduction to key contacts in industry, academia, and government
- Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor, market, and setting up a company
- Custom-made fact-finding visits, including office and co-working space