Florian Schweitzer

Partner

Florian co-founded btov Partners in 2000 as an online matching platform for Business Angels and startups. He has led the company since then to become a unique European venture capital firm, closely collaborating with professional business angels to support the growth of entrepreneurs and their startups. He serves on several technology startup boards and is one of the partners in the btov Digital Tech Fund.

While studying for his MA in finance from the University of St. Gallen, Florian was also responsible for developing the entrepreneurial student organization START which he today supports as member of the foundation board. He also serves on the board of Fondation Botnar, a Swiss-based foundation that champions the use of digital technology to improve the wellbeing of children in urban environments.

Quality is absolute – therefore hard to achieve – and for me it includes everything else in my own actions – including freedom and the four cardinal virtues of wisdom, justice, courage and moderation

  • With btov since: 2000

  • Expertise in / interest in the following areas: Entrepreneurship, startups, entrepreneurs and interesting topics

  • Favorite quote: “Pay attention to your thoughts, for they become words. Pay attention to your words, for they become actions. Pay attention to your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. Pay attention to your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

  • Your favourite futuristic technology: “Teleporter”. And also because it reminds you of how valuable direct personal exchange is.

Q -Which values are important to you and drive you?
FS -Quality is absolute - therefore hard to achieve - and for me it includes everything else in my own actions - including freedom and the four cardinal virtues of wisdom, justice, courage and moderation.
Q -What technological progress do you hope for most?
FS -One that promotes and enables sustainable development.
Q -What do you like most about your job?
FS -That we are dealing with entrepreneurs who think and shape the future.
Q -What has been your greatest success so far?
FS -Mount Everest is very big - but I haven't done that. And it's similar with many big startups that I have been involved in.
Q -What surprised you when you started working in venture capital?
FS -That in the long run, it can mean 10-15 years instead of 5-8.
Q -What professional or personal achievements are you particularly proud of and why?
FS -That we achieved our own vision again and again and developed btov anew. Today we are a very strong football team with exceptional talents, who are all team players.
Q -Do you have a passion that you pursue besides work?
FS -Ski tours in winter and water sports in summer as well as tennis on a regular basis, where psychology plays a special role. And reading. This mental movement makes me as happy as the physical one besides work, which is mostly fulfillment.
Q -What did you want to become when you were little?
FS -My first dream job as a 3 year old was garbage collector. He had a big machine, that was something.
Q -What are you particularly good at, what is your "superpower"?
FS -I can think of 100 things in which I still have a lot to learn.
Q -What is your essence, what is typical for you?
FS -Better ask my family, friends or colleagues.

I like most about my job that we are dealing with entrepreneurs who think and shape the future.

Florian Schweitzer
Q -What are indispensable tools in your everyday life?
FS -The Internet.
Q -What are your sources of information on the net?
FS -All kinds of newspapers around the world from SCMP and various in Europe to NYT and FoxNews to understand what people read and from what perspective.
Q -What are your top 3 favourite podcasts/books?
FS -Books: Many by Stefan Zweig, my favourite book in 2019 was "Skin in the Game" by Taleb and my favourite podcast is "The Podcast" by Gabor Steingart.
Q -What are you currently studying, what are you learning new things?
FS -Self-discipline is my current topic.
Q -What are the most important things you have learned from founders so far?
FS -That fills books.
Q -Which person would you most like to work with?
FS -Roger Federer.
Q -What startup excites you the most?
FS -That's the question of your favourite child again.
Q -Which founders do you find most inspiring?
FS -Steve Jobs on the one hand. On the other hand, he probably wasn't a likeable friend and family man.
Q -Which investor do you value most?
FS -Warren Buffett impresses me.
Q -Which person impresses you the most?
FS -There are many people who impress me. But always different. My wife as a mother, Ann-Sophie Mutter as a violinist or mentors I have met because they know so much, are orphaned and work on themselves to get better every day. But what probably impresses me most are team achievements and outstanding top researchers, who then also refer to the parable of "dwarves on the shoulders of giants".
Q -Do you have a person who has had a particular influence on you in your life, or one who has had a significant influence on you?
FS -Several. My grandfather has unfortunately passed away and I am all the happier that my parents, my wife, my mentors and the btov partners are alive and regularly give me food for thought through ideas, questions or the mirror they hold in front of me.
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