Meet Daphne Technology CEO Mario Michan and find out how burning the midnight oil helps him reduce air pollution

21.10.2020 08:37, Isabelle Mitchell

Venture Leader China Mario Michan founded Daphne Technology, a cleantech startup that reduces air pollution with an all-in-one, ready-to-install turnkey solution that removes pollutants from marine engine exhaust gas. Learn more about Mario’s expectations for the Venture Leader China experience and find out more about his favorite book and his biggest challenge.

The Venture Leaders China 2020 will accelerate their expansion into the Chinese market and build a business network through meetings with top-notch investors and industry leaders. To introduce you to the members of the Swiss National Startup Team, we asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose four questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life.

Name: Mario Michan
Job title: CEO of Daphne Technology 
Location: Saint-Sulpice
Nationality: Canadian and Colombian 
Graduated from: INSEAD (MBA)
Number of employees: 12
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2017, Startup Acceleration Workshops at EPFL 
  
“Daphne Technology prevents air pollution and supports the marine industry on its path toward decarbonization.” 

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
My first career was in the marine industry. I sailed on board cargo ships as a deck officer during my late teens and early twenties. Since then, I have always followed the industry and knew the disruption that air emissions regulations and decarbonization trends would bring. However, it was just during my PhD that I realized that a technology I was working with for something unrelated could change the industry's approach to air pollution. It has been a long path since then. 

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders program, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
We are looking for ambitious investors to join our Series B round and help us capture the Asian market. In addition, we would like to meet with stakeholders of the marine industry in China, including shipyards, ship designers, and of course, ship owners. 

Where and when are you most productive? 
My most value-adding hours are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., after we put our kids to sleep and before I start worrying about not being able to keep up with them in the morning.  

What is the most challenging aspect of being a founder?  
Work-life balance can be challenging, as the job is extremely interesting. Sometimes, it is difficult to stop yourself from answering one more email. 
 
What is your favorite book?  
Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell, written by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle. Because it shows what you can accomplish when you surround yourself with the right people. 

What are you most proud of?  
Daphne’s team. We have an excellent team of highly qualified individuals with a variety of expertise and experiences. Sometimes, I find myself in awe of the high caliber of our team.  

Last but not least, can you show us your workspace? 



For more information and updates on Daphne Technology and the Venture Leaders China, follow the Venture Leaders China 2020 team with #VleadersChina on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
This year’s Venture Leaders China is organized in collaboration with swissnex China and supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Gebert Rüf Stiftung, VISCHER, Canton Vaud, and the Canton of Zurich.