Meet Venture Leader Daniel Schmitter’s CAD software technology startup
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Ten Venture Leaders will represent Switzerland in Silicon Valley in March. Daniel Schmitter, CEO and founder of Mirrakoi SA. Learn more about CAD software technology and Daniel's expectations on his roadshow in Silicon Valley.
Can you introduce yourself, how your company started and what your project is?I’m Daniel Schmitter, the founder and CEO of Mirrakoi SA. We started our company because we noticed that our solution to what as initially a scientific problem, would also solve a market problem. When we discovered the market potential was huge, and as we obtained very positive feedback and adoption immediately, we simply had to try to commercialize our technology.
What attracted you to Silicon Valley as a business development destination?
In the era of industry 4.0, the manufacturing and industrial design industries are being redefined by investors from Silicon Valley and the U.S. in general. All the main industrial heavyweights are in the U.S. so, it’s never too early for us to extend our network in Silicon Valley.
What do you hope to achieve from the trip? What are your expectations and goals?
I hope to extend our network and start new partnerships. We’re looking for early-stage investment now, so we’ll also try to connect with U.S. investors now, who might invest at a later stage.
Why is Venture Leaders Technology beneficial for your start-up?
Besides the visibility, there is a tremendous, unique value from Venture Leaders’ position in the eco-system and its network. Venture Leaders connects us with other founders, investors and coaches.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
Our market, CAD software technology for industrial design and manufacturing, isn’t tied to Switzerland. It was clear from day one that we had to be international. Our first industrial partnership, before we had even incorporated, was with a U.S. company.
What do you foresee as the largest hurdles towards expansion into the American market?
We already have two strong partnerships with American companies, so the expansion has already begun. We expect to face all kinds of challenges on our path to growth. For example, building scalable customer support infrastructure or hiring exceptional sales talents won’t be easy. There’ll also be all the hurdles that we’re not able to foresee right now.
What makes you most nervous or excited about the trip?
I am always excited to bring our business a step further. This trip is a great opportunity for Mirrakoi to create new, valuable contacts, and I am really looking forward to traveling with the other startup founders in the Venture Leaders program.
Do you have a “funny/best day” anecdote about being an entrepreneur?
I’ve never applied for a job or had a job interview myself, so now that we’re hiring, I’m discovering how that process works.
Read about the Startup Champions kick-off event and follow the trip on Twitter using the hashtag #VLeadersTech
Venture Leaders Technology is sponsored by Rothschild & Co Bank, Kellerhals Carrard, DPD, Swisscom, Canton de Vaud, ETH Zürich and EPF Lausanne.