Meet Veertly co-founder Alexander Spahn and discover how the Venture Leader Technology optimizes digital collaboration

29.10.2021 11:55, Isabelle Mitchell

Veertly makes online events and connections as meaningful as meeting in real life. The startup’s all-in-one digital platform focuses on interactivity and collaboration and comes with customization and integration options to create unique and unforgettable event experiences. Get to know Veertly co-founder and CEO Alexander Spahn, learn more about his expectations for the Venture Leaders Technology experience, and find out how going to startup school inspired him to create Veertly.

Earlier this year, 10 technology startups—covering a range of topics such as computer vision, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, logistics, and sustainability—joined the Swiss National Startup Team. To advance their global growth, the Venture Leaders Technology 2021 will travel to Silicon Valley to showcase Switzerland’s innovative power and network with investors and industry leaders. To ensure you know which startups transform the technology industry, we will introduce you to the startups selected by the expert jury. We asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose at least six questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life. 

Name: Alexander Spahn 
Location: Zurich, Switzerland 
Nationality: German 
Graduated from: Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) Stuttgart and UC Santa Barbara, BA, 2013 
Your job title: Co-founder and CEO of Veertly
Number of team members: 17
Money raised: CHF  2 million 
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2020, when the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award was hosted and streamed in Veertly 
 
“Veertly is a platform to host interactive online and hybrid events and create next-level digital collaboration experiences!”
 
How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?  
In October 2019, my co-founder Joao Aguiam and I attended the Y Combinator Startup School. Each week, we were matched with other founders from all over the world who faced similar challenges and solved problems in the same industry. We were fascinated that through simple matchmaking combined with a video call, we could build meaningful interactions and relationships. Our idea was born to connect founders and many other communities by building a platform that enables engaging virtual interactions. We quickly expanded the focus from communities and meetups to corporates as well as conferences. 
 
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision? 
There is barely a better time to venture out and “conquer” new markets for such a global topic as “the future of work” and digital collaboration. The Venture Leaders program is just perfect for that. With the in-person connections, especially with investors and business partners we will meet during the program, we will be equipped to build long-lasting strategic relationships to become a truly global leader from Switzerland in this important field! Furthermore, I believe that building strong connections with the other team members is immensely beneficial. Building this unique network with the leaders of tomorrow in Switzerland and learning from each other will be invaluable. 
 
What is always in your fridge?  
Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream. Not necessarily in the fridge but rather in the freezer. For me, as an ice cream lover, it’s a must-have in summer but also during wintertime. 
 
What are you proud of?
When I first visited New York when I was a child, I had the wish to live and work in that vibrant city at some point in my life. After my bachelor’s degree, I made this dream come true and conducted a six-month internship at a digital agency in the Big Apple. 
 
How did you come up with the name of your startup?  
Veertly is a combination of the words virtual and meetup, with the fancy startup-typical ending -ly. Credits for the brand name go to my co-founder Joao. 
 
How and where do you clear your mind?  
The preferred way to free up my mind is on my mountain bike in the Alps. Feeling the exhaustion and pain when cycling up the hills and then enjoying the fun and adrenaline kick when riding downhill. This requires my full attention and shuts down work-related thoughts. 
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder?  
I am extremely fascinated by the impact we have made in such a short time. It is very rewarding to see how many smart individuals are motivated and help us achieve our vision! Building a team that shares the same values and builds an amazing product starting from zero is just amazing! 

What is your favorite book?
I would recommend every founder read The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries before starting their entrepreneurial journey. It gives highly valuable tips on getting started and validating ideas with a limited budget and in a very short time. In my view, it’s a must-read when building a startup.


For more information and updates on Veertly and the Venture Leaders Technology, follow the Venture Leaders Technology 2021 team with #VLeadersTech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 

The Venture Leaders Technology 2021 program is organized by Venturelab and supported by dpd Switzerland, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Intel, Kellerhals Carrard, Rothschild & Co, and the Canton of Vaud.