SICTIC Ambassadors

Françoise Birnholz

Investor, SICTIC Ambassador



Françoise Birnholz is a problem-solving business lawyer with significant international experience in global financial institutions. She is an experienced Business Angel interested in early-stage companies, with a focus on FinTech, Leg- and RegTech, Blockchain infrastructure, AI and FoodTech. Françoise is an active member of SICTIC, acting as a judge for startups, as well as a mentor, advisor, board member, and consultant in the startup ecosystem.

Gian Sbetta

SICTIC Ambassador



Gian Sbetta leads AI GTM strategies for Google Cloud, focusing on digital natives, and startups. Previously, he managed relationships with top-tier VCs and high-growth startups in the Swiss market at AWS. His background includes extensive experience in deal flow management, C-suite engagement, and fostering innovation within the European startup ecosystem. He is also the author at The Week in Swiss Startups, a weekly newsletter about financing rounds in Switzerland.

Tanya Fröhlich

Investor, SICTIC Ambassador



Tanya is an executive with over 15 years of experience in investment banking and M&A with a  focus in technology companies. Before joining SICTIC, Tanya was  Director at Corum Group International, a global Tech M&A advisory firm, focusing on corporate strategy, business development, process implementation and sales & marketing.

Yunus Erduran

Investor, SICTIC Ambassador



Yunus Erduran is a social entrepreneur and innovator building mission-driven ventures at the intersection of education, media, agriculture, and technology. He founded three companies and one
non-profit news agency and brings 25+ years of research and program design experience. An impact-focused angel investor and mentor, he supports early-stage startups in education and gaming, talent management, agriculture, media, the circular economy, and AI. Within SICTIC, Yunus serves as a jury member for startup evaluations, helps organize activities in Romandie, and connects founders and investors across the Swiss entrepreneurship ecosystem.

SICTIC Volunteers

Pavel Jakovlev

SICTIC Evangelist

Managing Partner at ANCORE Strategy



Passionate about growth and innovation, he has extensive experience of working with start-up and scale-up founders, taking them to the next level.

Pavel is the creator and host of The White Spaces Show, an online medium through which he quenches his thirst for technology trends and innovation initiatives.