Gian Gröbli

MSc Mechanical Engineering @ ETHZ | VC @ Founderful Campus

Stanford, California, United States

About

With a background in Mechanical Engineering at ETH Zurich, I developed a passion for hands-on problem-solving through projects at ETH juniors, where I worked on real-world challenges, translating technical ideas into practical solutions This experience sparked my interest in how strong technical ideas can be turned into scalable solutions, leading me into venture capital as a Student Partner at Founderful Campus, working with early-stage startups. I am now finishing my Master’s thesis at Stanford University, applying this mindset in biomaterials research for breast cancer reconstruction, with the long-term goal of building a technology-driven venture of my own.

Experience

  • Partner at Founderful Campus
    Feb 2025 - Dec 2025 · 11 mos

    Founderful Campus is a non-profit organization set up by Founderful. We help students at Swiss universities by unlocking opportunities in tech, and providing support as they take their first steps as founders. We invest CHF 25k in student-led startups in Switzerland. Send me a DM for more information!

  • ETH juniors (Full-time · 1 yr 5 mos)
    • Head of Business Development & Member of the Executive Board
      Apr 2024 - Jan 2025 · 10 mos

      • Appointed to the executive board, driving company growth and shaping strategic direction through innovative business development initiatives • Led the business development team, fostering partnerships with key stakeholders and securing high-impact projects to expand market presence and revenue streams • Managed and grew relationships with key accounts, ensuring exceptional client satisfaction, identifying new business opportunities, and delivering tailored solutions to drive mutual success • Contributed to organizational strategy and decision-making as part of the executive board, ensuring alignment with business priorities and long-term objectives

    • Project Leader and Mainboard Member
      Sep 2023 - Jan 2025 · 1 yr 5 mos

      • Managed and delivered 19 projects across diverse industries, working with clients ranging from Swiss SMEs and startups to publicly listed corporations. Specialized in Engineering, large language model integration, AI/ML, web development, and process optimization • Sourced, recruited, and managed multidisciplinary teams of freelancers and specialists, ensuring seamless project execution and on-time delivery • Acted as a strategic partner, aligning technical solutions with client needs to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and market impact • Maintained a strong focus on delivering high-quality outcomes by integrating best practices, leveraging emerging technologies, and fostering a culture of excellence within project teams

  • Research Assistant at Organisationsentwicklung René Gröbli GmbH
    Jan 2016 - Oct 2023 · 7 yrs 10 mos

    • Provided comprehensive back-office support for organizational development projects, enabling seamless project execution • Conducted research on organizational trends, frameworks, and methodologies to support the development of client-focused solutions • Analyzed internal data and external resources to prepare reports and presentations for the lead consultant • Assisted in creating templates and materials for workshops, training sessions, and strategic planning processes

  • Founder at Electron Resale Gian Gröbli
    Aug 2015 - May 2020 · 4 yrs 10 mos

    • Established and managed a successful commission-based resale business specializing in secondhand electronic equipment • Focused on high-value categories such as audio, video, and lighting equipment for individual customers and corporate clients • Coordinated the evaluation, pricing, and resale of used gadgets, ensuring competitive returns

  • Workshop training at Gebrüder Maag, Maschinenfabrik AG
    May 2019 - Jun 2019 · 2 mos