Meet matriq co-founder André Bernard—a Venture Leader Deeptech who develops innovative polymer marking solutions

08.11.2021 07:15, Isabelle Mitchell

matriq provides manufacturers with unique watermarks that ensure quality control and make it easier to handle liability issues, adhere to regulations, and conduct recalls. The startup’s patented marking and security solutions are based on its DynamicMold® (DM) technology, which leaves an individual 2D-code on every product within milliseconds and during the primary forming process. matriq’s code is visible by eye, readable by code reader or smartphone cameras, and includes novel optical security structures to avoid copying. Get to know matriq co-founder André, learn more about his expectations for the Venture Leaders experience, and discover how he brings innovation to the kitchen.

The Swiss National Startup Team has 10 new deeptech members: An expert jury has chosen 10 companies whose innovative potential transforms engineering, robotics, supply chains, logistics, and sustainability. Before the startups embark on their investor roadshow to Munich and London later this month, we will introduce you to the Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021. 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: André Bernard 
Location: St. Gallen 
Nationality: German 
Graduated from: University of Zürich, PhD, 1998 
Job title: CEO of matriq
Number of employees: 17 (11.8 FTE) 
Money raised: CHF 3.2 million
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2019, for Venture Kick
 
“matriq provides the unique and individual watermark for plastics in the form of a DataMatrix code issued in the forming process that enables traceability, identity, brand trust, and industry 4.0.” 
 
How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup? 
We created the basis for our “DynamicMold” technology in 2013 at the University of Applied Sciences NTB Buchs (today OST) and realized the value of the idea soon after. Our DNA is microtechnology, and we came across the innovation when working with tiny structures on injection-molded plastic parts. We made proof-of-concept work, filed a patent, and initiated an Innosuisse (CTI) project with three industry partners to demonstrate industrialization and build prototype mold inserts. In the IP rights agreement for that project, we already described it as “the company to be founded.” 
 
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision? 
We want to connect to other “deeptechies” from Switzerland (Venture Leaders team) and other countries to experience what innovation is pushed and what challenges they might have in industrialization. We would like to onboard international investors for our upcoming financing round in Q1/Q2 2022. We would like to learn from experts and opinion leaders from relevant industries worldwide to drive our internationalization and help focus our product offering. 
 
What is one thing not many people know about you? 
I always wanted to understand how things work and what “trick” is behind it—this also applied to food and cooking. I dove into the science and technology of gastronomy. I founded a foundation called “Innocuisine” and set up a curriculum for chefs. Today, I teach the physics and chemistry of preparing food. 
 
What would be the title of your biography?  
No Straight Line would be the title of the biography that will never be written. It would have documented that it can be useful to have made many different things in life, have dived into various subjects, have tried to understand the many opinions that one experiences. My CV is not straight, and I was taking away essential learnings from all of my professional and also amateur stations during my career. 
 
What is the one talent you wish you had? 
I would wish to master more languages! I speak Swiss/German, English, and French, and I understand Spanish a bit. I would love to be fluent and comfortable in all of these and expand that to Italian, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese. 
 
What is your favorite book? 
One of my favorite books is definitely Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! written by Richard P. Feynman himself, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics. The book is fun to read and shows that being a scientist can be adventurous if you are curious and break away from the stereotypes. 
 
How did you come up with the name of your startup?  
As always, the company name should be “unique,” free to register, and stick in people’s minds. We came to the name matriq as a combination of intelligent matrix, the smart pixel array that we “stamp” on every plastic in its forming process: matrix and iq results in matriq. 
 
What is your favorite productivity tool? 
I still favor the “old school” tool: The blackboard that was “modernized” to become the whiteboard, which was then digitalized to become miro. Honestly, the blackboard has not been beaten yet… 
 
What are your three favorite apps? 
Besides the standard apps for calendar, phonebook, and mails, my three favorite apps are Threema Work for safe and easy communication with the team and individual subgroups of it, the bank account app to quickly see the incoming payments, and TWINT, a real neat payment app for private money streams. 
 
How and where do you clear your mind? 
For the sanity of my mind, a long, deep, and “dreamless” sleep is key. Luckily, I am blessed with good sleep, independent of the tides of our business. Further, healthy and well-prepared food is not a luxury thing but paramount for mental health, joy, and inner balance. 
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being a founder? 
Being a founder and CEO of a startup often means balancing the pressure imposed by the board, the expectation of shareholders, the desires of customers, the actual possibilities of your technology, and the team’s energy. It needs skills in filtering, redirecting, motivating, making promises, and finding plausible excuses. Furthermore, it needs permanent attentiveness, realism, and optimism. 
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder? 
Seeing your idea becoming an innovation, watching your team grow beyond itself, sharing the success, and being recognized for the efforts and endless energy investments. 

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



For more information and updates on matriq and the Venture Leaders Deeptech, follow the Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021 team with #VLeadersDeeptech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021 program is organized by Venturelab and supported by swissnex, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Helbling Group, Walder Wyss, the Canton of Vaud, and the Canton of Zurich.