Start Ups meet Seniors

Start Ups meet Seniors - Review of our 2nd Start Up Speeddating from 18.5.2022

Start-ups and seniors - how do they go together? We at seniors@work know: it's a perfect match! In May 2022, we organized a speed dating event for the second time, where we brought startup founders together with retired executives. Just like at a real speed dating event, each participant only had a few minutes with their counterpart before they had to move on to the next person.

Not so easy to interrupt the discussions and maneuver them from one table to the next! But it shows that all sides had a lot to say and ask each other.

The retired executives, all members of the seniors@work community, were very well represented. In addition to the former CEOs of homegate.ch, Volg, Basler Kantonalbank, Microsoft Switzerland and Nokia Switzerland, a number of HR experts, coaches and sales and digital specialists were also on hand to support the founders. They found the exchange with the founders very exciting. "It's great to see the ideas and drive with which the start-ups go about their work. And it's great that we can use our experience to help the companies move forward," said one of the sparring partners, summing up the evening.

There were eleven founders from the start-up side, who received insights from our retired executives on topics such as business development, growth, customer acquisition, marketing, leadership, etc. The spectrum was broad, with health, new work and the sharing economy well represented alongside some ImmoTech companies - from desk sharing at the workplace to a rental model for baby clothes. "The sparring partners' assessments of the market approach, what works and what doesn't, were particularly helpful," said one of the founders. And, of course, their network in the industry was also in demand.

The fact that the event was a complete success was also clear at the aperitif that followed: there was a lot of talking, hearty laughter and everyone continued to discuss things in an informal setting (and with a cool drink) for a long time - it got late, despite the hot summer temperatures!

If you want to take part in the next Start Up Speed Dating, you can put your name on the waiting list here:

For start-ups / founders: https://forms.gle/UYSNNaq4PyHA4oPE8
For retired sparring partners: https://forms.gle/PX9V5hnNkZenf5sL6

This round was attended by:

Retired sparring partners:

Heinz M. Schwyter, former CEO homegate.ch
Ferdinand Hirsig, former CEO Volg, former Chairman of the Board of Directors Landi
Guy Lachappelle, former CEO of Basler Kantonalbank
Peter Waser, former GL Microsoft Switzerland
Iris Lentjes, HR Expert & Coach, former GL of various companies
Peter Wyss, PWP - Start Up / SME Support
Jürg Hofer, former GL Nokia, Start Ups, Gamification
Hermann Willaredt, former Deutsche Bank, financial expert and management consultant
Erica Maurer, former Head of Human Resources at WorldVision
Marianne Högstedt, former GL Skyguide, HR Consultant
Andre Schmid, Sales & Business Development, IT/IS