Why Greater Zurich works: Gian Sbetta on talent, innovation & the next decade

Greater Zurich Area Ltd: Gian, you’re originally from Italy and have now built your career here in Zurich. What first brought you here and what convinced you to stay? 

Gian Sbetta: I originally hail from a small village in the Italian Dolomites. My first experience in Switzerland was in 2007 during a high school exchange year. I stayed with a Swiss family and studied information technology. Coincidentally, in 2008, my class took a one-day trip to Google's Hürlimann Campus. I still vividly recall that day; it was absolutely captivating and unbelievable to my 17-year-old self. Sixteen years later, I walked through those very doors as an employee. 

I relocated to Switzerland from Germany in 2017 because I wanted to be part of a flourishing deep-tech startup environment. Zurich was the ideal location, offering exceptional talent and available capital. Furthermore, Switzerland is consistently ranked as the most innovative country in the world. 

Reflecting on that decision, betting my startup career on Switzerland was definitely a worthwhile intuition. 

Zurich often strikes a balance between Swiss precision and international drive. Does it influence innovation and doing business in any tangible way? 

Over the past eight years, the global perception of Zurich has dramatically shifted. While once primarily known as a financial hub, it has successfully evolved into a prominent technology center. This transition is evident in the strong presence of major tech firms such as Google alongside a growing number of successful startups, which collectively point to a promising future for the region. 

According to a recent research, former Googlers have created more than 100+ startups and companies in Switzerland, raised hundreds of millions, and, most recently, exited three companies: Lakera AI, Invariant Labs, and Airconsole. Other alumni created leading VC funds like Ellipsis Ventures, Fly Ventures, Founderful, and SICTIC. 

People often talk about Switzerland’s unique balance of professional ambition and quality of life. What does that look like for you personally? 

Since I began working in Switzerland in 2017, the exceptional quality of life and the high degree of professionalism I've encountered have truly impressed me. 

I value the daily interactions characterized by the respect and reliability of colleagues, founders, operators, and investors. I am especially impressed by the drive to develop long-term, impactful technologies in areas like Life Sciences, Engineering, and Robotics. The focus here is not merely on developing the latest app or consumer product, but on fundamentally transforming how we will live and work in the future. 

Google has had a major presence in the Zurich region for many years now. From your perspective, what makes the Greater Zurich Area such an attractive location for many global tech players? 

The Greater Zurich Area is an exceptionally appealing location for several key reasons, with access to world-class talent being the primary one. Google itself celebrated its 20th anniversary in Switzerland in 2024, confirming the region's long-term attractiveness. 

I believe that the ability of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich to attract the best global talent is unparalleled. In my role, I frequently visit university labs, startup offices, and the ETH AI Center, with which we have a close partnership. It’s fascinating to witness the shift from groundbreaking research to successful commercial ventures. The entrepreneurial spirit here is truly vibrant. 

The Zurich region is increasingly seen as Europe’s epicenter for AI and deeptech innovation. How does the region compare with other global tech hubs like Silicon Valley or London? 

I believe that we can’t compare Zurich to London or Silicon Valley. The history, the size, and the culture are different from what you have in Zurich. However, this city of about 450,000 residents is gaining global recognition thanks to a high concentration of talent in strategic sectors, particularly AI, Robotics, and Life Sciences. 

A notable challenge for Zurich (and Switzerland generally) is a shortage of domestic growth capital, which hinders the scaling of local companies. While this is a widely acknowledged and persistent issue being addressed by VCs, partners, and stakeholders, Swiss startups with global aspirations are not deterred. 

The local ecosystem is drawing increased attention from international VCs. Through my weekly newsletter “The Week in Swiss Startups” I frequently receive inquiries from investors across Europe, the US, and even Japan interested in discussing Swiss opportunities. 

If a fellow tech professional from abroad asked you for a few “hidden gems”: Things about Greater Zurich’s tech scene or lifestyle that aren’t immediately obvious, what would you tell them? 

Great questions and hidden gems shouldn’t be disclosed. But if I have to pick two, I must say: 

• Tech: AI Builders Zurich, the newly established and highly curated AI builders community in Zurich that I launched together with Edouard Treccani from Founderful.
• Lifestyle: The tiny village of Quinten on the Walensee (Canton of Glarus). 

If you had to describe Greater Zurich’s innovation DNA in one word or phrase (its unique “X-factor” that makes it stand out globally), what would it be? 

The density of global tech talent within a few square kilometers. 

As someone deeply embedded in Greater Zurich’s tech ecosystem, what do you think people outside Switzerland often misunderstand about the region, and what do you wish more people knew? 

The general view of Switzerland as a leading tech center has significantly shifted over the last two years. However, based on my prior experience in the Italian and German startup scenes before moving to Zurich, the common advice for major opportunities was still directed toward London, Berlin, or Paris. 

I believe this is because the venture capital and startup industries live on storytelling and market signals. While Switzerland has always possessed outstanding technology and talent, I believe that we weren’t sending the right (or enough signals) to the market. 

Nowadays, many international outlets share Swiss financing stories, and local VCs have done a terrific job in bringing global attention and follow-on rounds. 

You’ve seen the local ecosystem mature over the years. If you look ten years ahead, where do you see Greater Zurich’s role in the global AI and tech landscape? What could further strengthen its position as a leading hub for the next generation of deeptech innovation? 

The ecosystem is always changing and a lot depends on global economic conditions, too. In 10 years from now, I see Switzerland playing a bigger role globally in AI, Robotics, and Life Sciences. But if I had 3 wishes for the local ecosystem to make it stronger, it would be: 

• Swiss startups going global with IPOs ambitions
• Seeing more deals of world-leading VCs (Sequoia, Index, Accel, Koshla, a16z, and co.) in Swiss companies
• Being able to attract more serial founders and successful operators with global experience from the US/UK