Meet SIBEX CEO Daniel Haudenschild and discover why he is always ready to celebrate

30.10.2020 08:05, Isabelle Mitchell

Venture Leader Fintech Daniel Haudenschild co-founded SIBEX, a startup that empowers users and gives them control over their assets through the first systems software that makes trading operations between blockchains accessible to non-technical users. Learn more about Daniel’s expectations for the Venture Leader Fintech experience, and find out why the timing of coming up with a plan can be critical for entrepreneurial success.

The Venture Leaders Fintech 2020 will accelerate their international expansion and build a business network through meetings with top-notch investors and industry leaders. From November 2 to 6, the Swiss National Startup team will represent Switzerland's innovative fintech force at the first-ever virtual edition of the Hong Kong Fintech Week 2020.

Name: Daniel Haudenschild
Job title: CEO of SIBEX
Location: Zug
Nationality: Swiss
Graduated from: Webster University 
Number of employees: 12
First touchpoint with Venturelab: At the Swiss Embassy in Beijing, China, in June 2018 on a panel discussing blockchain. 

“SIBEX lets anybody trade with anyone, anywhere, anytime.” 

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
Most of our team has been working in blockchain since early 2014, and we have been working together since 2016. We were discussing why centralized crypto exchanges always ended up in the vicious cycle of getting hacked, losing money, and then getting shut down. And this very simple thought came up: “If you could do everything peer-to-peer and cross-chain, we could make something that would be at least three times more efficient, 10 times more private and secure, and 100 times less expensive than centralized exchanges.” 

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders program, and how will it help you achieve your vision? 
SIBEX is a Swiss company with technology that can be used anywhere. Asia is where 80% of cryptocurrency trades take place and where our market is based. Here, it is important to be introduced to business partners, and it is also important who introduces you. By being part of the Venture Leaders program, we can expand our business network with a very well established and respected partner providing us introductions. 

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder? 
You get to do some amazing things! You know exactly why you get up and go to work. You get to work with the most amazing people. And you may get to change the way the world works. 

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder? 
If everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face, be the person who has a plan when you get punched in the face.

What is your favorite book? 
William Faulkner’s The Wild Palms—the greatest American novel ever written. 

What is always in your fridge? 
Champagne. You never know when you have to celebrate. 

Last but not least, could you show us your workspace? 
Here is the SIBEX crew working from home (clockwise from top left): Alin Turbut (and Assistant Manager Mr. Bean), Cristian Iica, Robert Balas, and Gabriel Lopes.



This year’s Venture Leaders Fintech is organized in collaboration with swissnex China and supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Immomig, PostFinance, TX Group, Walder Wyss, and the Canton of Zurich.

For more information and updates on SIBEX and the Venture Leaders Fintech, follow the Venture Leaders Fintech 2020 team with #VleadersFintech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter.