Marco Laffranchi

CTO | Head of Technology | Technology & Innovation Strategy | Industrial High-Tech | Independent Advisor

Winterthur, Zurich, Switzerland

About

I am a CTO-level executive with a PhD in particle physics and 15+ years of leadership in high-technology engineering, combined with 6+ years in business analysis and portfolio strategy within highly competitive industrial environments. My background combines deep scientific expertise with executive-level technology leadership, spanning advanced research at CERN, academic leadership at ETH Zurich, and senior technology and business roles at Kistler Instrumente AG. I have shaped products across hardware, electronics, software, and system architectures, enabling me to rapidly assess complex technologies, identify weaknesses in internal and competitor product portfolios, and define robust technology strategies that translate into scalable, industrialized, and profitable product platforms. I have worked under direct CEO and CTO mandates, advising on technology investments with growth potential, analyzing and navigating competitive patent landscapes, and contributing to the creation of proprietary intellectual property to secure long-term technological differentiation and market leadership. I operate comfortably at the executive level in European and pan-European industrial environments, with a strong focus on shaping the future through robust technology strategies, disciplined execution, and measurable business impact.

Experience

  • Independent Technology & Strategy Advisor at Laffranchi Technology Advisory
    Apr 2026 - Present · 4 mos

    Independent technology and strategy advisory for industrial high-tech companies, focused on technology strategy, product portfolio assessment, innovation roadmapping, competitive analysis, IP/FTO positioning, industrialization concepts, and executive decision support.

  • Kistler Group (16 yrs)
    • Technology Scout
      Jan 2025 - Mar 2026 · 1 yr 3 mos

      • Identified and evaluated emerging technologies and high-tech market opportunities aligned with long-term strategy. • Developed executive-level growth options (~10%) and investment proposals for senior management. • Strengthened core portfolio resilience through technology-driven innovation and cost-reduction initiatives.

    • Head of Business Development
      Jan 2020 - Dec 2024 · 5 yrs

      • Led a multidisciplinary business development team translating executive mandates into growth initiatives. • Built and managed multi-million CHF business portfolios across OEM and industrial markets. • Converted complex customer challenges into product, platform, and go-to-market strategies

    • Engineering Team Lead
      Jan 2013 - Dec 2019 · 7 yrs

      • Led multidisciplinary engineering teams in a formal management role with full delivery ownership. • Owned end-to-end development of advanced system technologies from concept to industrialization. • Contributed to platform strategy and IP generation driving long-term differentiation.

  • Mechanical Engineer at Bieri Engineering GmbH
    Sep 2008 - Apr 2010 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • ETH Zürich ()
    • University Lecturer
      Jan 2007 - Jun 2008 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Stationed at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) • Integrated ETH Zurich graduate students into experimental particle physics projects at CERN. • Supervised Master’s and PhD students in CERN-based research activities. • Translated complex scientific topics into structured, tailored learning concepts, enabling rapid learning curves.

    • Postdoctoral Researcher
      Apr 2005 - Jun 2008 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Stationed at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) • Developed advanced particle detectors from concept through experimental deployment and data analysis. • Authored and co-authored ~25 scientific publications and presented at ~10 international conferences. • Coordinated activities within large international research teams, bridging engineering and physics.