Bringing ideas to life, contributing to the success of a leading venture platform: When Linus Joos became assistant to CEO Mike Baur a whole new world opened to him. With the right attitude and commitment, the former president of the ETH Zurich Entrepreneur Club tackled this eight-month-long challenge.
Tell us about your journey from student to CEO assistant.
Last year I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at ETH Zurich. During my studies I presided over the ETH Entrepreneur club. This is how I got in contact with the Swiss Ventures Group and eventually heard about the open role as assistant to the CEO.
Why did you apply?
I always loved engineering but at the end of my studies the interest in business became stronger and stronger. I wanted to discover something yet unknown. After my application, I soon got invited for an interview and had a really interesting conversation with Mike Baur. From there on things happened quickly: I got accepted on Friday and started my new job on Monday.
What did your first days on duty look like?
Honestly the rhythm changed a lot compared to my student life before. Mike is an energetic person who is always coming up with new ideas. I had to adapt to his speed and quickly got used to short delays for my tasks. Good quality in short time became my new mantra.
Can you tell us more about your tasks and how you could make a difference?
I was assisting Mike in the sales process: for example, I did research on possible clients: Who are they, what are they interested in? I consequently used this information to form segments.
I also helped Mike to create pitch decks for the group. Creating a coherent and convincing sales narrative is a demanding task which I found really appealing. I also got involved in HR when I co-directed the recruiting for the group’s graduate program.
One of my biggest and most complex tasks was the organization of a partner event with an important bank. In this regard the project skills I gained at the ETH Entrepreneur Club have definitely been useful. I was responsible for scouting the venue, organizing the catering and sending out invitations. On top of that I was in charge for the entire story line of the event.
That sounds like you made the most of your time at Swiss Ventures Group.
It definitely never got boring: I rarely did one thing twice or three times – constant change was part of the game. When I was working together with the CEO, I always tried to be straightforward, open and service-oriented. In return I also felt that my view was valued even though I cannot look back on a long career.
What are your next steps?
I will now go back to ETH to read for a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. The entrepreneurial spirit I found at the Swiss Ventures Group and its portfolio companies has inspired me a lot. Now my goal is to find co-founders to launch a startup myself. My engineering skills are the basis but due my experience at Swiss Ventures Group I also have a deeper understanding of the business side. And I know better how venture capital platforms work. That might also be handy when searching for funding.
