I’ve always envisioned creating an Incubator in Graubunden that harnesses the unique strengths of the Canton. With InnoQube, our aim is to attract and nurture some of the world’s finest innovations, ultimately benefiting the entire ecosystem.
Alex Fries is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with over 20 years of experience in founding, funding, and managing global businesses. He has a strong track record of success in the technology, products, and services sectors, serving both enterprises and consumers. Currently, Alex holds the position of President at Ecosystem Ventures, a San Francisco-based Venture Fund, where he plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and supporting startups. He is also a co-founder of Alpana Ventures in Geneva, Switzerland and has established the European fund for Stanley Black & Decker, a renowned US-based company with a market capitalization of $22 billion.
Throughout his career, Alex has been involved in several entrepreneurial ventures, including the co-founding of Playspan Inc, an e-commerce and micro-payment platform for online gaming, which was later acquired by VISA International. He has also contributed to the success of SDK Biotechnologies Inc., a diagnostics company, and PURE SWISS AG, a prominent beverage brand. Additionally, Alex co-founded SVOX AG, an ETH spin-off in Switzerland, where he led the marketing, business development, and strategic partnerships teams. SVOX was subsequently acquired by Nuance Communications Inc., a global leader in voice recognition technology.
Recognized for his achievements, Alex has been nominated over four times for Switzerland’s Digital Shaper of the Year award. In 2010, he was appointed to the Board of the Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, the first of its kind in Switzerland, further demonstrating his commitment to driving positive change through entrepreneurship.
In addition to his extensive entrepreneurial pursuits, Alex serves on multiple boards of Corporate Ventures and Startups, leveraging his expertise to guide and support emerging businesses. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and an MBA in International Marketing from the University of San Francisco. Furthermore, he contributes to academia as an Adjunct Professor at UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with aspiring entrepreneurs and business students.
