Innosuisse trainer David Hug: ‘Creating a start-up is a marathon, not a sprint—you don’t lose in the first few meters’

28.06.2021 10:15, Isabelle Mitchell

The Innosuisse Start-up Training in Business Growth and Business Creation equips entrepreneurs with the tools to build world-class start-ups. Around 30 times a year, the Innosuisse trainers—more than 160 entrepreneurs, investors, and experts—share their expertise and provide hands-on experience in tailor-made workshops for ICT, advanced engineering, medtech, and biotech start-ups. One of these trainers is David Hug, co-founder of and partner at Marcau Partners, an investment advisory company. Find out more about David’s training sessions, his hope for the participants, and the best advice he has ever received. 

The Innosuisse Start-up Training comprises accomplished entrepreneurs, investors, and experts who help young companies accomplish their missions. Many of the Innosuisse coaches have built start-ups themselves, and all of them know the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face. To learn more about the experts who support the Swiss innovation ecosystem, we ask them to complete a short profile and choose at least eight questions from a questionnaire about their training session and their personal and professional life. 

About David 
 

Name: David Hug
Location: Zurich
Born in: 1986, Zurich
Graduated from: FHGR [Chur University of Applied Sciences] in 2011, with a Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Management
Your job title: Co-founder and partner Marcau Partners—the investment advisor behind Ringier Digital Ventures
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2011, as an intern at btov Partners

“Marcau Partners is an investment advisory boutique that offers ‘Venture Capital as a Service’ to entrepreneurial investors: We connect investors with inspiring start-up founders and help them navigate the European innovation ecosystem.” 
 

About David’s Innosuisse training
 

How are you involved in the Innosuisse Start-up Training?

I have the fortune and the pleasure to be, one to two times per year, a guest speaker on the topic of how to find the right investors. I do this with a very operational view of things.

What is your motivation to join the workshops as a trainer?
I enjoy sharing my experiences and giving motivated, young entrepreneurs something to take with them. I really hope that this will help them make fewer mistakes.

What is the best advice you can give to start-up founders?
It’s a marathon, not a sprint—you don’t lose in the first few meters! Be passionate and patient, and don’t let setbacks stop you!

What motivated you to become an Innosuisse trainer? 
The opportunity to exchange experiences and that I have the chance to talk about a topic that I love.

What makes for a great workshop? 
When you feel the energy of the entrepreneurs, and they actively think with you.

What are your hopes for the participants? 
That they reach their goals and never stop having fun.

What do you think founders need most from a training course? 
 A good overview of the topics discussed so that they can dive deeper independently, and they must feel the spirit of the start-up world.
 

About David’s professional life
 

What is your favorite productivity tool? 

Probably our deal-flow tool Kushim because I have everything in one place, including notes, reminders, etc.

Where and when are you most productive?
In the morning hours. I do not like working in the evenings—but I still do it.

How and where do you clear your mind? 
Playing with my son and doing sports.

What made you decide to start your business? 
I was not looking for this opportunity, but this chance found me.

What are your three favorite apps? 
Microsoft Teams (because we work with it, and it includes a lot), SRF Sport/NHL apps (for checking the results), and Netflix (to relax)

Whom do you admire? 
Roger Federer—how he manages his career in sports, in business, and so on, is just amazing.

What is the best advice you have ever received and from whom? 
“Success requires some talent but also a lot of hard work and good timing.” To me, this advice from a former ice hockey coach is true for all aspects of life.