The Reality of the Entrepreneurship Rollercoaster: Managing the Highs and Lows

Mershad Javan is an entrepreneur and global executive with over twenty years of progressive experience in media, entertainment, and consumer service industries, including private startups and mid-size to large public companies. Successfully positioned two companies for considerable exits both as a founding CEO and hired C-level operator. Also served as a Venture Partner with top-tier venture capital firms in California and Zurich. Furthermore he is a former songwriter signed to major labels and publishing companies before transitioning into executive roles. Originally from California, now operating out of Zurich.

Aike Festini is a dynamic entrepreneur initially known for disrupting the last-mile logistics sector with LuckaBox. The startup excelled in creating memorable customer experiences but eventually closed its doors. Unfazed, Aike leveraged her setbacks to found a new startup, MaverX, a mentoring enablement platform for enterprises. Guided by her mantra, "My mess is my message," she promotes transparency in discussing failures as essential learning experiences that contribute to collective growth and future achievements.

Tobias Gunzenhauser is CEO and one of the three founders of yamo, Europe's first digital-native vertical brand for baby and infant nutrition and winner of the Swiss Economic Award 2022. Before becoming a founder himself, he worked in Purchasing and Marketing Controlling at Coop and later as Brand Manager at Gruppo Campari. At the same time, he studied business administration, marketing and communication at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.