EP #503 - Roland Siegwart: Why ETH Keeps Churning Out Killer Startups
June 23, 2025
Co-produced by
Co-produced by
2:48 - Why ETH generates so many startups
7:23 - From research to commercialization
14:00 - Does ETH invest in startups?
21:50 - Perfectionism vs move fast and break things
29:23 - It’s not hard to convince people to work for startups
This episode was co-produced with the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation.
Click here to order your copy of “Swiss Startups” today.
About Roland Siegwart:
Roland Siegwart is a professor of Autonomous Systems at ETH Zurich and board member for Sevensense Robotics, NZZ, Komax and Evatec. He has been a visiting scientist at both EPFL and Stanford, and holds a PhD in Mechatronics from ETH Zurich.
During his chat with Silvan, Roland discussed the evolution of ETH Zurich, focusing on its role in fostering startups and innovation. The discussion covered the importance of talent, funding, and the unique environment at ETH that supports research and entrepreneurship.
Roland emphasized the need for a balance between academic rigor and the fast-paced startup mentality, as well as the potential for collaboration between research institutions and the business world.
Silvan and Roland discussed the challenges and opportunities within the startup landscape, emphasizing the need for collaboration between startups and corporates, the significance of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and the potential for innovation in technology, particularly in robotics.
The cover portrait was edited by www.smartportrait.io.
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