Summary
I helped build Foundera, the corporate startup of Die Mobiliar (4.9 BCHF revenue), into a trusted partner for hundreds of Swiss entrepreneurs. As Head of Product & Growth and member of the Executive Board, I was responsible for shaping company and product strategy, driving growth across the full funnel, and leading teams in Switzerland and abroad.
Within two and a half years we:
- Achieved market-leading customer satisfaction with an average Google rating of 5.0.
- Supported several hundred company foundations across Switzerland.
- Tripled customer profitability through product innovation, pricing optimization, and strategic partnerships.
The Challenge of Startup Growth in Switzerland
Foundera was created to make it easier for entrepreneurs in Switzerland to start and grow their companies. The ambition was clear, but execution was complex:
- Building from zero: No established brand, customer base, or processes.
- Balancing speed and governance: Operating as a startup within a large insurer required entrepreneurial agility while aligning with corporate oversight.
- Customer-centricity at scale: Delivering consistent, high-quality service while supporting hundreds of founders.
- Profitability pressure: Creating a sustainable model that went beyond acquisition to long-term value creation.
My Contribution to Building Foundera
As Head of Product & Growth and member of the Executive Board, I had end-to-end responsibility for strategy and execution:
- Strategy & Alignment: Defined company and product strategy together with the Board of Directors.
- Full Funnel Growth: Drove acquisition, conversion, and lifetime value, from marketing to customer success.
- Product Innovation: Launched new services, redesigned pricing models, and created partnerships with complementary providers.
- Team Leadership: Managed startup consultants, coordinated tech teams in Switzerland and abroad, and built a culture of ownership and speed.
- Execution & Adaptation: Combined a data-driven approach with rapid iteration to keep our work aligned with customer needs and shareholder goals.
Used Methodologies & Strategies
To scale Foundera and ensure growth, I applied a mix of proven methodologies and tailored strategies:
- Lean Startup & Rapid Experimentation: Validated services quickly, iterating based on customer feedback.
- Growth Hacking Frameworks: Analyzed acquisition channels, funnel performance, and retention levers to unlock sustainable growth.
- Customer Journey Mapping: Built end-to-end service flows with a focus on clarity, trust, and ease of use.
- Agile Product Management: Worked in sprints with cross-functional teams to deliver value continuously.
- Partnership Strategy: Integrated complementary providers to extend value without adding overhead.
Solution
To meet these challenges, I designed and executed a multi-layered approach:
- Customer Experience First
Built processes and service models that ensured clarity, trust, and personal guidance for founders, resulting in industry-best satisfaction scores. - Growth Engine Design
Analyzed every step of the funnel, identified drop-offs, and implemented targeted improvements in acquisition, onboarding, and upselling. - Profitability Levers
Introduced new product offerings, optimized pricing structures, and developed partnerships to extend value creation. - Team Empowerment
Created a culture of ownership, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making, enabling consultants and tech teams to deliver at speed.
Results: Customer Satisfaction and Profitability
- Hundreds of company foundations supported in Switzerland.
- Customer satisfaction at the very top of the market, with consistent NPS leadership and Google reviews averaging 5.0.
- Tripled customer profitability through new products, pricing optimization, and partnerships.
- High-performing teams established across consulting and technology, blending in-house expertise with external partners.
- Recognition by industry relevant newspaper Handelszeitung:
Conclusion
Foundera demonstrated the potential of combining startup agility with corporate resources. While operations were later discontinued by the shareholder, the impact was clear:
- We built a market presence from zero.
- We delivered outstanding customer experiences.
- We proved the profitability of the model.
For me, this project highlighted my ability to lead at the intersection of strategy and execution, scale products and teams, and create measurable business impact in complex environments.