About

Prof. Mariana Christen Jakob

Founder and Managing Partner SEIF Email • LinkedIn
Impact Investing

With over 20 years experience in social innovation, CSR and impact entrepreneurship Mariana is an expert within impact investing as well as non-financial support for impact entrepreneurs. She founded SEIF in 2011 with the aim to professionalize the social entrepreneurship sector and provide impact startups with the necessary support to grow and scale successfully. Today, Mariana leads the way in early stage Tech for Impact investing, finding solutions for the issues involved in initiating the first financing rounds.

Mandates

BRIDGE, jointly offered by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse, Member Steering Committee
The programme offers funding opportunities at the intersection of basic and science-based innovation for young and experienced researchers

Design Prize Switzerland: Going Circular Economy, Nomination

First Ventures, Gebert Ruf Foundation, Jury Member
The programme promotes UAS students with an innovative business idea with financial contribution as well as tailored coaching

Green Fintech Network Member, State Secretary for International Finance SIF

MassChallenge, Sustainable Food Systems Challenge, Jury Member

Social Impact Accelerator SIA, Jury Member

Linda Aerne

Senior Project Manager Email • LinkedIn

As Senior Project Manager, Linda is in charge of the Impact Academy, Impact Awards, and other projects. Linda graduated with her Bachelor Degree from San Francisco State University. Currently, Linda is doing her MSc in Business Administration – Major Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ZHAW. Before that, she worked for swissnex San Francisco, where she supported Swiss Startups with their Market Validation and Market Entry to the US. At SEIF, she combines her experience supporting Entrepreneurs and her passion for impact entrepreneurship.

Mandates

WSA National Expert

Roman Suleiman

Impact Management Consultant Email • LinkedIn

As Freelance Impact Management Consultant, Roman supports SEIF in conducting impact management projects. Moreover, he aims to strengthen synergies between startups and corporates in SEIF’s existing ecosystem. He believes that implementing sustainability taking a systemic approach is key to secure the long-term competitiveness of any organization. Besides his engagement at SEIF, he acts as the founder of a climate risk analysis startup. Previously, he worked in management consulting and impact investing, co-founded an agroforestry startup, and brings along additional experience from venture capital and technology. He holds a Master in Finance, Strategic Management, and Sustainable Business from Copenhagen Business School.

Eléonore Güntzer

Impact Manager SEIF Email • LinkedIn

Eléonore leads different impact management projects as well as the impact assessment and due diligence of impact-driven start-ups. Additionally, she supports the development of SEIF’s impact tool kit and data analytics. She is convinced that impact should be approached in a standardized and systematic manner, and is committed to creating a sustainable future through entrepreneurship. Before joining SEIF, Eléonore gained valuable experience at a Swiss start-up measuring the impact of listed equities on the planet & society, and holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen.

Eric Gisiger

Partner Email • LinkedIn
Investments

As Partner at SEIF, Eric acts as Investment Advisor in the development of the platform and the underlying portfolio companies with a Tech for Impact focus. In addition to the positive impact, he sees great commercial potential and thus attractive investment opportunities in early-stage and growth companies addressing some of our most pressing global challenges. Eric is a seasoned and entrepreneurial investment professional with more than 20 years of successful international working experience covering the areas of private equity / venture capital, M&A, corporate development, international project- and institutional relationship management.

Luca Christen

Partner Email • LinkedIn
Finance & Investments

Zoé Dumont

Impact Project Support Email • LinkedIn

Zoé supports the coordination of the Tech for Impact Awards, while also managing the communication channels to improve the visibility of SEIF’s programs and partners. She thrives in environments that promote innovative ways to solve contemporary challenges. She is convinced that knowledge sharing and the dissemination of both impactful and profitable business ideas are building a more sustainable business ecosystem. Passionate about languages and with a background in international relations, she was introduced to impact entrepreneurship by collaborating within an impact tech startup tackling the challenges of financial inclusion and access to energy in emerging markets.

Olajoke Oladipo

Impact Analyst Support Email • LinkedIn

Niccolò Schlueb

Senior Impact Analyst Email • LinkedIn

Niccolò is engaged with the impact assessment and due diligence of start-ups, and supports investor relations at SEIF. He is convinced that emerging impact-driven companies will have a lasting positive effect and induce a transformation of society, economy, and the environment. Before joining SEIF, Niccolò has supported start-ups with their market entry at Swissnex China and collaborated on the impact investment project Susfinteq. Niccolò holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from the University of St. Gallen, and attained a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy from King’s College London.