Dr. Ulf Blanke

AI , UX , Machine learning , Product

Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

About

Leading antavi - managing the safety of millions. With strong track record in machine learning and AI, software engineering, and behavioral psychology, I create innovative user experiences bridging technology and user-centric design. I excel at guiding initiatives from concept (0->1) through ambiguity, effectively prioritizing solutions that best meet user and business needs. As demonstrably excellent (HI) communicator, I successfully align diverse stakeholders/teams around a shared vision. As experienced innovation lead at antavi GmbH (ETH Zürich spin-off), I drive AI-powered solutions for operational workforces at events and crisis management Recently transformed the company into an agentic AI-driven organization for maximum resource efficiency.

Experience

  • Head of Product & Engineering (Co-Founder) at antavi GmbH
    Sep 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 10 mos

    I spearheaded the company strategy and led local and offshore development teams of 6+ engineers. Currently leading the transition into a fully agentic organizational model. • Helping customers innovating their processes using tech • Created a product portfolio for managing mission critical event services • Ideated, designed and developed UX for a core product antavi 360º • Building agentic products for the future and present of running missions Sectors: event management, travel, and medicine 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 • Bootstrapped the company using equity-free funding and project-based income • Guided the company through Covid crisis by pivoting product towards crisis management 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 • Products used at 100+ mid to mega events ranging from 10K to 2.2m visitors • Annualized customer growth rate of 57% and event growth rate of 148% • Versatile product placement for multiple verticals in event and crisis management • Developed a crowd sensing SDK, reaching over 500,000 app users. www.antavi.ch

  • OK Mitglied / Ressort Sicherheit at Verein Zürcher Volksfeste - OK Züri Fäscht
    Jul 2021 - Nov 2023 · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Züri Fäscht is Switzerland’s largest event, attracting millions of visitors. My responsibility included to create situational awareness for teams and to guide visitors with highly perceivable critical information. • Ideated, designed, and developed the Züri Fäscht mobile app, leveraging crowd-sensing technology to analyze, optimize, and enhance visitor flow and crowd management. • Developed scalable software powering 18 public displays, significantly streamlining real-time crowd control and advertising operations. • Led cross-functional collaboration among 20+ stakeholders, managing expectations, ensuring clear communication, and delivering project alignment. 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 • Mission critical used in high stakes situation to divert crowds • Successfully commercialized technology into a spin-off product, tailored for crowd management and evacuation scenarios. • Generated positive media coverage (e.g., Neue Zürcher Zeitung - NZZ), increasing visibility and credibility.

  • Advisory Board Member at Swiss Innovation Valley AG
    Aug 2015 - Aug 2018 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    As incubator lab, the Swiss Innovation Valley develops and promotes disruptive projects. See more http://www.swissinnovationvalley.com

  • ETH Zürich (Zurich, Switzerland)
    • Senior Scientist Group Lead
      Dec 2012 - Aug 2018 · 5 yrs 9 mos

      I led the development of machine learning methods for human activity recognition at the Wearable Computing Lab. • Supervised and mentored 3 PhD students and 17 M.Sc. theses. • Secured and managed multimillion-euro research projects, enhancing the lab's funding and reputation. 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 • shaping scientific agenda in various steering and editor capacities for 30+ top conferences and journals. • Awarded and impactful research track • Improved training courseware satisfaction from 3.5 to 4.5, recreating courseware and course teaching • Increased the lab's reputation with high quality media appearances, e.g. BBC, NZZ, 20min,... • Recipient of the Pioneer Fellowship enabling technology transfer

    • Pioneer Fellow
      Oct 2014 - Dec 2015 · 1 yr 3 mos

  • Co-Founder, CTO at TWOSENSE.AI
    Oct 2014 - Jun 2016 · 1 yr 9 mos

    The password is you. Behavioural biometrics using motion, location, and interaction data for authentication for securing access in sensitive working environments