Meet our team

Dr. Christof Klöpper

Christof Klöpper has been CEO of Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2016.

Prior to this, he was Managing Director at i-net innovation networks. He was Head of Development for Industry and Technology at the office of Industry and Employment in the Basel-Stadt Economics Department and Managing Director and a member of the Board of Directors of Technologiepark Basel AG. Before this, he was a scientific assistant at the University of Basel.

Christof Klöpper studied economic geography, economics and business administration in Germany and in the United States. He obtained a doctorate at the University of Basel entitled: “The Structure and Geography of innovation processes in biotechnology”.

Are you looking to join a vibrant future-focused ecosystem?  You’ve come to the right place! Together with my team we forge connections and create opportunities for businesses to grow, accelerate, transform and innovate. Stay up to date and sign up to our newsletter.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Frank Kumli, PhD

Frank Kumli has worked at Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2019.

Previously, Frank Kumli worked ten years for Ernst & Young in various global and local functions. Before that, he headed the business development efforts for health ingredients at Lonza and as Director of Marketing & Sales at Carbogen Amcis accompanied its development from start-up to a multinational enterprise.

Frank Kumli completed his PhD in organic chemistry at the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium) and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Colorado State University (US), a Sales Management degree at the University of St. Gallen (CH) and an Executive MBA at the University of Rochester (USA/CH).

I am all about innovation but also about boosting research and development in the region in particular and in Switzerland in general. Read my interview with Le Quotidien here.

Dr. Adrian Sprenger

Dr. Adrian Sprenger has been working with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2017.

Prior to that, he won his entrepreneurial spurs as the Managing Director of his own biotech start-up.

Adrian Sprenger studied biochemistry at the University of Tübingen and gained his doctorate at ETH Zurich, UC Berkeley and the University of Freiburg.

Find out how I can support you in turning your innovation into a successful business. Read more about it here or reach out to discuss how I can help you.

Albert Hilber

Albert Hilber joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2018.

He was a member of the management team in large ICT and high tech companies and as Senior Project Manager successfully managed international ICT projects for sports events and ICT infrastructure projects for industries and public transport. He was a mentor for startups and SMEs. In a part time assignment, he is a member of the administration of Elektra Oberrohrdorf.

Albert Hilber has a diploma in Electrical Engineering Dipl. El. Ing. FH and is graduate of the International Advanced Management Program at IMD Lausanne and the Schweizer Kurs für Unternehmensführung SKU.

Are you interested in a new way of exploring innovation in your company? Contact me directly or find out more about the i4Challenge to promote your Industry 4.0 solution. To the i4Challenge.

Anca del Río

Anca del Río joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2022.

She is a thought leader in global health and innovation governance with a passion for multi-stakeholder engagement and digital capacity building. Anca holds an international Masters of Science in Public Health and Healthcare Management (MSPH) and is pursuing a doctoral degree (DrPH) in the same field; Furthermore she completed the joint EIT Health Stanford Biodesign Fellowship in need-led innovation with the University of Oxford and IESE Business School, and holds several certifications in Health Systems Innovation, Health Economics and Strategy from the Harvard Business School and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Throughout her global career across Europe, the US and Australia, Anca wore several executive, strategic, and operational hats in organisations such as the EIT – European Institute of Innovation and Technology and its Alumni Community, EIT Health, Tirol Kliniken, and supported new business ventures in medtech and digital health by validating, developing and scaling up innovation.

How can we shape the future of health? Click here to learn more

Cécile Tardy-Srinivasan

Cécile Tardy-Srinivasan has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

Previously, she worked at big pharma companies like Novartis, where she held various roles at country, regional and global levels. She brings a background in finance from working with EY. As a healthcare innovation consultant, she focuses on patient centricity and co-creating solutions among stakeholders of the healthcare ecosystem.

Cécile Tardy-Srinivasan studied Design Thinking at the MIT Sloan School of Management and holds a Master’s in Management from the EDHEC Business School, France.

How can we shape the future of health? Click here to learn more

Florian Saner

Florian Saner has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since beginning of 2021.

Previously, he was one of the Corporate Business Developers at Straumann Group in Basel, a global leader in dentistry. His responsibilities ranged from assessing and valuing strategic collaboration deals to managing the transaction process and negotiating final agreements, with a focus on distribution and M&A activities. He is also a member of the Innosuisse jury at the Medtech start-up training, named Business creation course, and teaches a course of negotiation and business development at the university of applied science in Delémont.

Florian Saner completed his BSc in Economics at the University of Lausanne (HEC) and Mannheim, an MSc in Accounting & Finance at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), is a Chartered Financial Analyst I (CFA) and holds several certifications in negotiation and sustainable strategies from the London School of Economics and Harvard Business School.

Looking to create, start or expand your own business or diversify into MedTech? Great! How about a good source of support along the way? Our free-of-charge services range from startup acceleration, events and workshops to inspiring collaborative workspaces. See here what we have been able to do in the canton of Jura.

Johannes Bohren

Johannes Bohren joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2022.

Prior to that he worked in Finland as an entrepreneur. He co-founded and led an IT company and an impact funding platform. Johannes studied Political Science, German Literature and Economics at the University of Fribourg and St. Petersburg.

I believe that many of our societal challenges can be solved through smart business concepts. Find out how we can help you to reach your goals and create positive impact through entrepreneurship here.

Martyna Wroblewska

Martyna Wroblewska has been working at Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

Before joining Basel Area Business & Innovation Martyna Wroblewska worked as a Project Leader at Redbiotec AG (pre-clinical stage biotech), where she was responsible for the design, development, and management of projects focused mainly on oncology and vaccine development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nicolaus Copernicus (Microbiology) in Poland and a Master’s degree in Biology from the University of Zürich (Evolutionary Biology).

Are you looking for help to launch and grow your exceptional biotech company? I would love to get in touch. In the meantime, click here to find out how BaseLaunch can help you.

Maurus Basler

Maurus Basler has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

After his bachelor studies, he has completed an internship at Rapp Group in mobility consulting. Prior to Basel Area, Maurus Basler had worked at Roche in Basel as a Financial Analyst and most recently as an Innovation Manager fostering an open innovation ecosystem both internally and externally. Maurus Basler holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Zurich as well as a master’s degree in International Management from the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland. He is also a professional handball player for the local Basel team.

Find out how I can support you in turning your innovation into a successful business. Read more about it here or reach out to discuss how I can help you.

Neil Goldsmith

Neil Goldsmith joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2018.

Previously, Neil Goldsmith was CEO and board member of Evolva SA, which he co-founded in 2004, taking it from a startup biotech venture to a leading synthetic biology company listed on the Swiss stock exchange. He co-founded Topotarget A/S and Personal Chemistry AB, now Biotage AB. He further founded and managed various life science ventures at an early stage.

Neil Goldsmith holds a 1st class honors degree in Zoology from Balliol College, Oxford University and set up his first company in 1984. He is a board member of Unibio and Double Bioventures.

Are you looking for help to launch and grow your exceptional biotech company? I would love to get in touch. In the meantime, click here to find out how BaseLaunch can help you.

Stephan Emmerth, PhD

Dr. Stephan Emmerth joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2016.

He worked for i-net innovation networks switzerland as Life Sciences Manager before that.

Prior to this, Stephan worked for F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG as a research postdoc and in the Medical Affairs department of Lipomed. At the Friedrich Miescher Institute (Novartis), he was employed as a doctoral student between 2008 and 2011.

Stephan Emmerth studied biology at ETH Zurich and gained his doctorate at the Friederich Miescher Institute (Novartis) in Basel.

Are you looking for help to launch and grow your exceptional biotech company? I would love to get in touch. In the meantime, click here to find out how BaseLaunch can help you.

Sébastien Meunier

Sébastien Meunier joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2016.

Prior to this, he was Cleantech Manager at i-net innovation networks switzerland.

Sébastien Meunier worked at the CCI Sud Alsace Mulhouse Chamber of Industry and Commerce, most recently as Head of the Industry Department. He was Head of the Design Office, Laboratory and Measurement Technology at Zurfluh Feller.

Sébastien Meunier studied engineering science at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie in Besançon and at the Institut des Techniques d’Ingenieur de l’Industrie, where he gained his degree in mechanical and production engineering.

Are you interested in innovation and networking? In our trinational Industry 4.0 Technology Circles we bring together researchers, developers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to foster cross-disciplinary exchange. Contact me directly or click here for the report from a previous technology circle.

Ursula Costa

Ursula Costa has been working for the Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2022.

Previously, she worked in different roles in the field of neurorehabilitation, ranging from clinical practice, academia, and med-tech, where she held global roles. She brings extensive experience in patient experiences and working with different stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.

Ursula Costa studied Physical Therapy and completed her master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Barcelona. Her focus is on staying up to date and has completed her education with certifications in the fields of Change Management, UX/UI, healthcare economics, business, digital marketing, and Agile Methods.

Find out how I can support you in turning your innovation into a successful business. Read more about it here or reach out to discuss how I can help you.

Virginia Ballotta

Virginia Ballotta has been working at Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

Before joining Basel Area Business & Innovation Virginia Ballotta was the Country Manager Switzerland for Catalyze, where she helped biotech entrepreneurs and researchers acquire funding and shape their business strategy. She holds a Master`s degree in Bioengineering from Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology (the Netherlands), where her main research interests were tissue engineering and immunology.

How can we shape the future of health? Click here to learn more

Yana Yoncheva

Yana has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2023.

She has spent many years managing an international community of innovators, and is a seasoned expert in event management. Yana has organized a wide range of high-level events focused on innovation in European cities.

Prior to that, she worked in the manufacturing and construction industries, where she performed various senior roles in business development, marketing, and sales in both B2B and B2C sectors.

Yana holds a Master’s degree in International Business.

How can we shape the future of health? Click here to learn more

International Markets and Business Affairs

Paul Eschmann

Paul Eschmann joined Basel Area Business & Innovation as Head of International Markets and Business Affairs in March 2022.

He previously worked as Commercial Manager for a medium-sized food producer and was already working as Director Asia for Basel Area Business and Innovation. Before that, he was employed as a manager at Accenture Switzerland in the Legal & Commercial Services department and as a Commercial Project Manager at Siemens Power Generation.

Paul Eschmann has a Business Administration degree from the Duale Hochschule Lörrach. He also studied Law at the Universities of Regensburg and Erlangen. He was admitted to the German Bar in 2004.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Andreas Paulicks

Andreas Paulicks is a Senior Partner at the consulting firm PM&P and has been the Chief Representative in Germany and Austria for Basel Area Business & Innovation and formerly for the predecessor organization BaselArea. He has worked for PM&P as a Consultant for Strategic Marketing and International Expansion for over 20 years. During this time, he has advised companies such as Emerson, ABB, Michelin and Alstom as well as investment promotion agencies in investor acquisition.

Andreas Paulicks holds a degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Anke Hollnagel, PhD

Anke Hollnagel joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2019.

She was previously Head of Marketing and Sales at Doetsch Grether Ltd., a medium-sized Swiss pharmaceutical company. She also worked as a Senior Brand Manager for Colgate-Palmolive Ltd. and Consultant for Boston Consulting Group.

Anke Hollnagel studied Food Chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin and Leeds University. She obtained a PhD in Food Chemistry from the TU of Berlin and an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen.

Are you about to set up your business in Switzerland? It would be my pleasure to advise you personally. Please get in touch. In the meantime, learn more about setting up a business in Switzerland. You might find this website helpful.

Bon Oh

Bon Oh has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2020.

Bon Oh is the founder and CEO of Aurum Care Management. Prior to that, he was Chief Operating Officer at Deloitte Consulting Korea. He also led the Life Science Industry Sector at Deloitte Korea and was the leader of the Strategy and M&A consulting service. In his different functions, he has supported top-tier multinational pharmaceutical companies and startups in Korea about their overseas expansion, R&D, supply chain management, and commercialization strategies.

Bon Oh holds a Bachelor in Business Administration and Mass Communications and a Master’s degree from the Graduate School of International Studies from the Yonsei University in Seoul.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Claudia Hennig

Claudia Hennig has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2016.

Further, Claudia is a Senior Project Manager at PM&P, where she successfully coordinated numerous international market research projects for multinational life sciences companies like Abbott, Roche and Siemens with a focus on product innovation and positioning. In addition, she holds a Market Research teaching assignment at International School of Management (ISM), Frankfurt.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Daniel Meier

Daniel Meier has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2016.

He has worked in various functions at the predecessor organization BaselArea since 2007. Before this, he worked as Senior Consultant with KPMG in the field of Corporate Tax and as Account Manager at MLP Private Finance for wealthy private customers.

Daniel Meier studied law at the universities of Basel and Bern.

Are you about to expand your business to Switzerland? It would be my pleasure to advise you personally. Please get in touch. In the meantime, learn more about setting up a business in Switzerland.

Diana Cortesi

Diana Cortesi has worked with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2018.

Diana Cortesi previously worked in Strategic Sales and Marketing at Miele. She brings with her valuable professional experience in a variety of business sectors like pharmaceuticals, insurance and start-ups.

Diana Cortesi completed a trilingual degree in International Business Management, studying in Colmar in France, Lörrach in Germany and Basel in Switzerland, supplemented with a semester in Cambridge in the UK. She subsequently completed an MBA in Bern with a specialization in Corporate Development.

Are you planning to expand? You might find our six step guide how to set up your business useful, check it out here or contact me for more information.

Fabio Marelli

Fabio Marelli has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2020.

Prior to this, he completed internships at the Swiss Embassy in Berlin and at SWISS International Air Lines, and worked for Baloise and UBS during his studies.
Fabio Marelli studied economics at the University of Basel and graduated with a Master’s degree in Markets and Public Policy in 2019.

Are you planning to expand? You might find our six step guide how to set up your business useful, check it out here or contact me for more information.

Nathalan Charmillot

Nathalan Charmillot joined Basel Area Business & Innovation as Manager France and Benelux in the International Market & Business Affairs team in 2022.

Previously, Nathalan worked as a Financial Controller and Business Intelligence Analyst at the Hôpital du Jura.

He completed his bilingual Bachelor’s degree in Management at the University of Fribourg. Afterwards, he went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Business Innovation at the University of St. Gallen (HSG).

Valentina Francia

Dr. Valentina Francia joined Basel Area Business & Innovation as Manager of International Markets in the  International Market & Business Affairs team in 2022.

Valentina worked as a biomedical researcher in academic institutions in Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada before coming to Basel. She is an expert in pharmacology, gene therapy, and nanotechnology and she brings with her extensive experience as a communication manager for pharmaceutical scientific societies, project accelerator for academic and industrial research networks, and conference organizer.

Valentina received her master’s degree in molecular biology at the University of Milan (Italy) and she holds a PhD in nanomedicine and pharmacology from the University of Groningen (the Netherlands).

Are you planning to expand? You might find our six step guide how to set up your business useful, check it out here or contact me for more information.

Vilde Godtlibsen

Vilde Godtlibsen joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2022

She is currently enrolled in a master’s program in Business and Administration that specializes in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Rushford Business School. Previously she completed a bachelor’s degree in Social Anthropology at the University of Oslo. She gained experience in social media and content creation by working as an intern for a startup company in Basel.

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Jayne Riemer-Chishty

Jayne Riemer-Chishty has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2019.

She is Vice President Global Relationships at BootUP Ventures in Silicon Valley. Previously, she was responsible for trade promotion and representation at GACC Midwest (AHK USA – Chicago). Her international career at Deutsche Bank took her to the Basel Area, where she supported the region’s dynamic life science companies.

Jayne Riemer-Chishty holds a BA in International Economics & Cultural Affairs and German from Valparaiso University and completed a Management Development Program at IMD in Lausanne.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Krishna Bhatia

Krishna Bhatia has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2018.

An accomplished industry expert, Krishna has diversified international experience in New Business Development, startups, and strategy consulting, especially market entry strategies for Indian and European markets. She is also specialized in supporting European SMEs to gain access to India and helping Indian companies invest in the West. Also an active startup investor, she has invested in many Indian tech startups.

Before this, she was working with Syndicate Bank, a government bank based in India on their international business and treasury operations. Her international consulate career at the Netherlands Business Support Office in Bangalore, India landed her at Basel Area Business & Innovation.

Krishna graduated with honors in statistics from Delhi University and an MBA from Goa University. She is fluent in English, Hindi & Tamil.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Maxime Ung

Maxime Ung has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2020.

Prior to that, Maxime Ung worked in China with international companies in the high-tech and audio/video sector. He was a consultant at the Paris International Chamber of Commerce with a focus on Asia. Maxime Ung further founded Frootful Connexions. The consulting agency supports companies from Europe and Asia in growing their business and entering new markets.

Maxime Ung holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from INSEEC Business School in Paris, and a Master in International Development from ISEAM Management School in Paris.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Shuguang Yuan

Dr. Shuguang Yuan has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

Prior to that, he worked for Actelion and Idorisa in the field of computational drug discovery. He is the co-founder of AlphaMol Science Ltd, a health-tech startup located in Basel and Shenzhen. Additionally, Dr. Shuguang Yuan holds a professorship at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology.

Dr. Shuguang Yuan finished his Ph.D. with Marie Curie Fellowship in three different institutions in Europe including KU Leuven, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and EPFL.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Xiaoping Zou

Xiaoping ZOU has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

Prior to that, Xiaoping ZOU worked in Shanghai as an Investments Representative, responsible for attracting and helping Chinese companies to invest in Wallonia of Belgium. She is an experienced FDI promotion practitioner.

Xiaoping ZOU studied French Language and Literature at Shanghai Int’l Studies University. She is fluent in French and English, Chinese is her mother tongue.

Are you planning to expand and interested to read why others chose to locate their business in the Basel Area? Click here.

Marketing and Communications

Julia Chang

Julia Chang joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2016.

Before that, as Head of Sponsorship at the Fondation Beyeler, where she was responsible for partnerships with major companies for various marketing projects.

Julia Chang worked as a product manager for L’Oréal and was Marketing Manager at Unibail-Rodamco. During a four-year stay in Mexico, she managed the product development and launch of a daily newspaper.
Julia Chang studied economic geography at Lund University in Sweden, and earned an MBA at the ESADE Business School in Barcelona.

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Anneke Geyer-Tennekes

Anneke Geyer-Tennekes has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

Previously, the marketing expert worked in the tourism and finance industry. Most recently, she was head of the Marketing and Communications team at Basel Tourism. As PR responsible for North America, Benelux, and Germany, she was active in tourism promotion for important target markets. Prior to that, she held marketing and sales positions at various banks. Anneke Geyer is a trained bank manager and marketing specialist with a federal diploma. She speaks six languages and brings experience in strategy & branding, media relations, communications, content marketing, sales development, and product development.

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Annelise Michel

Annelise Michel joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2020.

She worked previously as Marketing Automation Specialist EMEA at Cochlear where she deployed strategic digital campaigns driving brand awareness and patient’s engagement. Prior to that, Annelise Michel gained experience in Dubai, London and Madrid in product management, sales, and marketing operations working for international companies such as Inditex/Zara and L’Oréal. She also completed a post-graduate internship program with Business France.

Annelise Michel holds a master’s degree in Business Administration at the ISG Paris Business School. She continued her education with a professional degree in Digital Marketing.

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Annett Altvater

Annett Altvater has been Manager Communications for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2017.

Prior to that, she worked as a copywriter and consultant at Buser, Kommunikation GmbH in Basel and supervised projects with a focus on energy education. As a freelance journalist, she wrote for print media such as NZZ am Sonntag, Basler Zeitung and Beobachter as well as for blogs and handled strategy, editorial and text assignments for corporate media.

Annett Altvater studied European Media Studies at the University of Potsdam, the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and the Film University Babelsberg. She completed a two-year traineeship at the Kohlenberg press agency. She continued her education at the MAZ – The Swiss School of Journalism and the Media School of Northwestern Switzerland as well as in Corporate Communications at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

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Adrian Limani

Studies in Computer Science and the passion for creativity has brought Adrian into digital marketing world.

He has worked previously in the field of Digital Marketing and Photography. In 2021 he has finished a further education as Digital Marketing Specialist.

He is also an award winning and international publishing self-taught photographer. Currently he is persuing his Master’s degree in Business Informatics.

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Azra Keranovic

Azra Keranovic has started working for Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2023.

Prior to that, she gained some experience in multinational companies. She worked in fields including sustainability, sales, and marketing and communications.

Azra graduated in International Business Management in 2022. She studied at the University of Rotterdam and in Geneva.

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Cherin Lim

Cherin Lim joined Basel Area in 2022

Cherin Lim is an internationally experienced marketing professional with a background in top international marketing agencies. She has advanced her career by working across cultures in major marketplaces such as Basel, Berlin, Seoul, and New York City, serving a variety of sectors.  Cherin is passionate about providing marketing solutions to business challenges, and her educational background from leading schools has enabled her to expand her knowledge of ever-changing business environments and markets continuously.

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Clement Bastide

Clement Bastide joined Basel Area in 2022.

Previously, he worked as Digital Marketing Manager for international companies such as Ubisoft, EY, KPMG and Amazon in Paris and Luxembourg.

In 2019, he moved to Japan, where he spent 1 year traveling and working as a Digital Marketing Consultant for small & medium companies. Back in Europe in 2020, he started teaching online marketing in university and business schools, in addition to his consulting activity.

Clement studied Computer Sciences then Business Management in France, with some exchanges in England and Ireland, before getting a master’s degree in Online Marketing.

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Arianna Ramirez

Arianna Carolina Ramírez joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2022.

She worked previously as Photographer and Audiovisual Producer, Book Illustrator, and Conversation Analyst, in different startups in Colombia. She is also an entrepreneur herself and has led several projects. In the field of mental health, she directs an activism startup called Hablemos De Salud Mental.

She studied for a Bachelor´s degree in Social Communication with a focus on Journalism at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia.

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Isabelle Wymann

Isabelle Wymann has worked for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2018.

Previously she worked as Director Communications at Evolva, where she helped shape the evolution from a biotech startup to a commercial enterprise. She led various projects in communications, branding and bio-design and supported the launch of novel products in the B2B market. Isabelle Wymann gained professional experience at companies such as Novartis, Lantal Textiles and W. Schneeberger AG.

Isabelle Wymann has an education in business administration and a higher business diploma. She graduated her executive Master of Business Administration in Cross-cultural Leadership studies with a dual degree from the School of Business at FHNW and from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University.

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Martin Jordan

Martin Jordan has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2019.

Prior to that, he worked as a media spokesperson for the University Hospital Basel. Before switching to corporate communications, he was a journalist at Radio SRG, where he was a moderator, reporter and editor at the Regionaljournal Basel.

Martin Jordan worked as a ski instructor. Afterwards, he was a foreign correspondent in the areas of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for the Frankfurter Rundschau, the Tagesspiegel, the Stuttgarter Zeitung, the Basler Zeitung and Radio SRF.

Martin Jordan studied sociology, German linguistics and ethnology at the University of Basel. During his studies, which he completed in 1992, he gained initial experience in journalism as a freelancer for various media companies in Basel.

Are you interested in a regular news flash from the Basel Area? Click here to sign up to our Newsletters or check out our carefully curated news site. I’m happy to help journalists with their story about the Basel Area.

Sina Kohlbrenner

Sina Kohlbrenner joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2021.

Sina Kohlbrenner has been in leading Marketing roles in the international medical device and healthcare sector for over a decade. Her experience ranges from Marketing Strategy, Clinical Education Programs, Product Management, Business Development and Sales Support. Sina Kohlbrenner has helped develop a nationwide US subsidiary for medical device distribution and expanded the direct contact with hospitals and caregivers. Returning to Switzerland, she used her direct customer experience to drive customer-centric product development, marketing initiatives, and educational programs.

She holds the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Controlling, advanced her Marketing knowledge through a post-graduate Marketing Executive Diploma at the University of St. Gallen, and recently obtained a certificate in Digital Transformation in Healthcare from the University of Manchester

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Shared Services

Saskia Cecchi

Saskia Cecchi has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2016.

She was previously Office Manager at the predecessor organization BaselArea. Before this, she was General Manager for the Meininger Hotel, London Hyde Park. She also worked for the Hyatt Hotel Berlin and the Hilton Hotel Basel.

Saskia Cecchi completed her apprenticeship in the hotel business before studying business administration for the hotel and catering business at the Hotel Management School Berlin. She then went on to obtain her MAS in Human Resources Management at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Northwest Switzerland.

Lifelong learning is key, not just for our company but for everyone. To enable you to accelerate, we invite you to participate in our events on exciting topics. Click here for the overview and here to sign up for the event mailing.

Cornelia Reist

Cornelia Reist has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2016.

She was previously employed at i-net innovation networks switzerland both for administration and as Assistant to the Management Board.

Cornelia Reist previously worked for The Little Gym Europe and for FIPRA in Brussels. She was employed as a programmer and analyst and as a database administrator at Swisscom.

After vocational college, Cornelia Reist completed a training course as an international telephone operator and obtained further qualifications as a programmer and database administrator (DB2).

Lifelong learning is key, not just for our company but for everyone. To enable you to accelerate, we invite you to participate in our events on exciting topics. Click here for the overview and here to sign up for the event mailing.

Dana Bautista

Dana Bautista has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2021.

She successfully completed her traineeship at Basel Area Business & Innovation, receiving her vocational school leaving certificate and Federal Proficiency Certificate. Before this, she attended a commercial college (WMS) in Basel-Stadt.

Lifelong learning is key, not just for our company but for everyone. To enable you to accelerate, we invite you to participate in our events on exciting topics. Click here for the overview and here to sign up for the event mailing.

David Schmid

David Schmid joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2022.

Previously, he worked at the water pipeline construction company Heinis AG, where he was responsible for the supply of our ground and drinking water and expanded his craftsmanship. David Schmid graduated from the Fachmaturität (IMSF) in 2017 and will start his Bachelor’s degree in BWL at the FHNW in Basel in 2023, after the one-year internship with us.

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Jessica Tröndlin

Jessica Tröndlin has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2019.

In Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area she worked in administration and marketing since 2017. Thanks to her previous positions at Europa-Park, Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois and Amac Aerospace Switzerland, she gained a broad range of expertise in different industries, particularly in the fields of marketing, sales, finance and event management.

Jessica Tröndlin studied Tourism Management in Freiburg (D) and Barcelona (ES) and graduated with an extra-occupational Master of Science (Sc) in International Management from the FHNW in Basel and Olten in 2017.

Lifelong learning is key, not just for our company but for everyone. To enable you to accelerate, we invite you to participate in our events on exciting topics. Click here for the overview and here to sign up for the event mailing.

Julia Kähl

Julia Kähl has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2023.

Previously, she gained experience as an IT consultant and as an IT change & adoption manager at various companies in Switzerland.

Julia Kähl studied business informatics at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University in Lörrach and is currently furthering her education in the field of product management.

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Lea Steinegger

Lea Steinegger joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2017.

Prior to that, she worked as an event manager for the Swiss national grid company Swissgrid AG in Laufenburg, where she was responsible for organizing all internal and external events and for visitor management. Before that, she was an event and sales manager for the towns of Reutlingen and Ludwigsburg.

After graduating from high school, she trained as an event manager with Nürtingen town council.

I support lifelong learning and thus set up all these great events for you. I would be thrilled to welcome you to one of them. Click here for the overview and here to sign up for the event mailing.

Leonid Roupychev

Leonid Roupychev has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2020.

Prior to that, he worked as an event manager and accountant for BPV Ltd. and was Head of Administration at BKA Language School.

Leonid Roupychev studied business and economics at the University of Basel and graduated with a Master’s degree.

Lifelong learning is key, not just for our company but for everyone. To enable you to accelerate, we invite you to participate in our events on exciting topics. Click here for the overview and here to sign up for the event mailing.

Mariana Rado

Before joining the Basel Area Business & Innovation Team, Mariana worked as a Training Coordinator for Endress+Hauser Digital Solutions in Reinach, where she was responsible for planning, organizing, and promoting training courses and online seminars about digital communication and Industrial Internet of Things. Before that, she worked as a Marketing Manager in an outsourcing company, specialized in Housekeeping activities in the Hotel industry in Switzerland, where she gained additional experience in the field of customer care.

In 2012 Mariana graduated at the University of Applied Science Northwestern Switzerland as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Lifelong learning is key, not just for our company but for everyone. To enable you to accelerate, we invite you to participate in our events on exciting topics. Click here for the overview and here to sign up for the event mailing.

Innovation Space and Infrastructure

Karin Crisanto

Karin Crisanto joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2020.

Prior to that, she worked in different roles at Regus/IWG in Peru, Panama and Switzerland, including leading the Basel based operations. She also worked for a Swiss consulting firm and a US global bank. A common theme throughout her career has been to support her clients in finding their best working environment to operate in a comfortable and productive manner.

Karin Crisanto has a commercial background and has completed various executive management courses in Switzerland and abroad.

Have you heard of the dynamic development of the Baselink innovation district? The construction of the Main Campus – new home of the Allschwil site of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – is moving forward quickly. Read more about it and watch the behind the scene video here.

Cara Gilliland

Cara Gilliland joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2021.

Before moving to Switzerland Cara Gilliland has worked as an Administration Assistant and Receptionist in a medical practice in Scotland. As well as being a professional dancer with a diploma in dance and performance she is a qualified dance teacher who has lectured dance around the world. Since moving to Switzerland Cara Gilliland has worked in gastronomy and has years of experience in this field.

Are you looking for a flexible workspace, a plug-and-play lab, a community of great minds, and a range of services to support your startup? Click here to find out how we can support you.

Carine Moya

Carine Moya has worked at Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area since 2016.

Carine Moya previously worked as an Event Project Manager at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG. Previously, she worked for a PR agency in Ireland, where she gained experience in media relations and customer service. As a member of the department for visitor services, she organized specialized visits to the headquarters of F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG in Basel. She has also held various positions in the hotel industry in Switzerland and abroad.

Carine Moya graduated from the Hotel Management School in Lucerne. She also holds a federal diploma in commerce and a diploma in public relations from the Swiss Public Relations Institute in Zurich.

Are you looking for a flexible workspace, a plug-and-play lab, a community of great minds, and a range of services to support your startup? Click here to find out how we can support you.

Franziska Dornblut

Franziska has been a Basel resident since 2007. During the past 15 years she worked as the Director of an international language school and as a Relocation Manager for a Destination Service Provider relocating international employees of different industries to Basel. Prior to her move to Basel she lived in Andorra and Spain where she worked in the hospitality and tourism industry also improving her Spanish and Catalan language skills.

Franziska spent five years in the USA and graduated from Suffolk University in Boston with a Bachelor Degree in International Business.

Have you heard of the dynamic development of the Baselink innovation district? The construction of the Main Campus – new home of the Allschwil site of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – is moving forward quickly. Read more about it and watch the behind the scene video here.

Isabella Constantino

Isabella joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2019.

She graduated from a university in Mexico and holds a Tourism Management degree. Isabella previously worked in hotels, travel agencies, museums, and car rental companies, in different countries like Venezuela, USA, Mexico and France. The tourism industry allowed Isabella to gain experience in sales and customer service.

Have you heard of the dynamic development of the Baselink innovation district? The construction of the Main Campus – new home of the Allschwil site of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – is moving forward quickly. Read more about it and watch the behind the scene video here.

Luigi Solines

Since 2019, Luigi Solines has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation.

Luigi Solines has more than 16 years of experience in the USA (Charles River Laboratories) and France (Sanofi Pasteur) as a senior technician and supervisor in different laboratory services, specifically in biotechnologies used in immunology and diagnostics.

He managed technical projects such as the implementation of a corporate laboratory safety manual and more recently the conception and implementation of new more accurate immunoassays to replace older techniques.
Luigi Solines holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Marine Biology from the University of Maine.

Are you looking for a flexible workspace, BSL2 or chemistry instrument equipped labs, a community of great minds, and a range of services to support your startup? Click here to find out how we can support you.

Noémie Bischoff

Noémie Bischoff has been working at Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area since 2021.

Previously, Noémie Bischoff worked at the car rental company Sixt as an inside sales agent. There she was able to gain experience in the support of corporate customers and in customer service. Noémie Bischoff held various positions within the company before joining Sixt as an Inside Sales Agent and gained further professional experience in the areas of sales, communication, and finance.

Noémie Bischoff holds a professional diploma in sales and commerce and a bachelor’s degree in communication and marketing.

Are you looking for a flexible workspace, a plug-and-play lab, a community of great minds, and a range of services to support your startup? See here what we have already been able to do in the canton of Jura. Click here to find out how we can support you.

Piotr Chawraj

Piotr has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2022.

He is working in the reception at the Main Campus in Allschwil as an intern for Innovation Space & Infrastructure. Prior to that, he finished the WMS-School in Reinach.

Rahel Schneider

Rahel Schneider joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2016.

Prior to this, she was employed as an Associate at the predecessor organization. She completed traineeships with Economic Development Basel-Stadt and Swiss International Air Lines and, during her studies, worked as a team assistant for OTP Organisation & Training Partners, Actelion and Engel & Völkers Northwest Switzerland, among others.

Rahel Schneider studied economics at the University of Basel until 2012 and completed her Master’s degree in International Management in Basel and Cambridge in 2016.

May I invite you on a tour around the Switzerland Innovation Park at the Novartis Campus? Click here for a virtual tour and contact me to schedule your visit.

Tiphaine Charretier-Ilgün

Tiphaine Charretier-Ilgün has been working with Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area since 2019.

She previously worked as a Project Officer in a marketing/communication agency in France. She gained experience in project management and client service. She was in charge of developing strategies in marketing/communication and implementing plans. In her previous experience, she has also been involved in organizing different events.

Tiphaine Charretier graduated from the University Haute-Alsace in France. She holds a Masters degree in project management focused on communication and a Bachelor degree in communication and multimedia.

Are you looking for a flexible workspace, a plug-and-play lab, a community of great minds, and a range of services to support your startup? Click here to find out how we can support you.

Board

Domenico Scala

Domenico Scala has served as President of Basel Area Business & Innovation since 1 January 2016.

He has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Basilea Pharmaceutica AG since April 2016, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BAK Economics AG since May 2014, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oettinger Davidoff AG since August 2017. He is also a member of the Bank Council of the Basler Kantonalbank. In addition, Domenico Scala is a member of the Healthcare Advisory Board of an equity investment and M&A company and a board member of two private US biotech companies.

Mr Scala studied economics at the University of Basel and holds executive development degrees from INSEAD and the London Business School. He began his career working for Nestlé and Panalpina and from 1995 to 2003 served in various senior management positions at Roche, most recently as Group Treasurer. From 2003 to 2007, Domenico Scala was CFO of Syngenta AG, and from 2007 to 2011, CEO of Nobel Biocare AG. In 2004, he was selected as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Between May 2012 and May 2016, Mr Scala was Chairman of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee.

Samuel Hess

Samuel Hess (*1962) has been a member of the Management Board of i-net since April 2012 and since January 2016 member of the Management Board of Basel Area Business & Innovation.

As Head of Economic Affairs in the Office of Economy and Labour, he is responsible for economic promotion and development and policy in Canton Basel-Stadt. Hess has worked in various functions in Canton Basel-Stadt since 1998. Among other things, he was responsible for setting up and managing the city marketing operation and for the Campus Plus project with Novartis. He worked for consulting firm INFRAS in Bern and Zurich from 1991 to 1997, including a spell as project manager, and was information editor with Swiss Radio (DRS) from 1987 to 1990.

Samuel Hess studied international relations at the University of St. Gallen and environmental and resource economics at University College London.

Ahmet Muderris

Ahmet Muderris has been a member of the Board of i-net since April 2012 and since 1 January 2016 member of the Board of Basel Area Business & Innovation.

He is Managing Director of Composite Busch S.A. in Porrentruy since 2000. He previously worked for British-based John Laing plc for 12 years, his last position being Regional Manager Central Asia.

Ahmet Muderris studied civil engineering at Loughborough University in Great Britain and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Claude-Henri Schaller

Claude-Henri Schaller is Head of the Office of Economy and Employment of the Republic and Canton of Jura since June 2015. In 2012, he was elected as a full time Communal councillor, in charge of institutional, financial and economic issues, in the new Commune of Val-de-Ruz, resulting from the fusion of 15 communes and 10 intercomunal syndicates.

In 2001 he was appointed by the Government of the Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel as Secretary general of the Departement of Education and Culture and, since 2005, of the Department of Justice, Security and Finances. He started his career at the Swiss Red Cross Training Center, from 1991 to 1993. He moved to the Secretariat general of the Federal Department of Defence in 1994 as a staff member and was spokesman of the DoD from 1999 to 2001.

Claude-Henri Schaller graduated in Geography and History from the University of Neuchâtel and post-graduated in International Security Policy from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. Claude-Henri Schaller is married and father of two children.

Martin Dätwyler

Martin Dätwyler (*1969) has been a member of the board of Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2019.

In 2002 he joined the HKBB Handelskammer beider Basel (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of both Basel) as head of the section transport, energy and spatial development. Prior to that, he held a leading position at the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). As from 2011, he led the division of location policy and was deputy director. Since April 2018 he has been managing director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of both Basel.

Martin Dätwyler has an excellent network in the region of Basel and beyond. He is a member of important regional, national and trinational economic bodies. In March 2019 he was elected into the legislature of the parliament in Baselland. Among other things, he is also vice president of the board of the TCS Section of both Basel.

Martin Dätwyler studied geografy and biology at the University of Bern. He also holds a postgraduate degree in NDS executive MBA integrated management and CAS in politics and economics from the University of St. Gallen.

Pierre-Alain Berret

Pierre-Alain Berret (*1968) has been a member of the management board of Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2019.

Since 1 December 2018, he has been in charge of the CCIJ Chambre de commerce et d’industrie du Jura (Jura Chamber of Commerce and Industry) in Delémont. Previously, he held various management positions within the Federation of the Swiss watch industry and the Republic and Canton of Jura, where he acted as government spokesman for 15 years. He is a member of the board of directors of the Collège et Lycée St-Charles, a private school with an international orientation, in Porrentruy. He was also mayor of his municipality.

Pierre-Alain Berret studied Economic and Social Sciences at the University of Fribourg and holds a degree in Journalism.

Thomas Kübler

Thomas Kübler has been on the board of Basel Area Business & Innovation since 1 January 2016 as government representative of Canton Baselland.

Thomas Kübler has been a delegate of the Governing Council of Baselland and Head of Inward Investment Promotion for Baselland since 1 January 2016. Before this he managed his own company, providing consultancy services to board directors as an economic adviser, to executive committees on strategy issues and to pension funds as an investment coach. Until 31 December 2015 he was chairman of BAKBASEL Economics and a member of the boards of Elektra Birseck Münchenstein and the Baselland Pension Fund. For these he remains a member of the board and chairman of the investments committee.

In previous appointments, Thomas Kübler was Head of Institutional Clients with a private bank and a delegate for regional business contacts of the Swiss National Bank in Northwest Switzerland.

Thomas Kübler studied Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG).