Team

Prof. Mariana Christen Jakob

Founder and Managing Partner SEIF Email • LinkedIn
Impact Investing

With over 20 year’s experience in social innovation, CSR, impact measurement and impact investing, Mariana is an expert within the ecosystem of impact startups with a focus on tech for impact. She founded SEIF in 2011 with the aim to professionalize the impact entrepreneurship sector and provide startups with the necessary support to grow and scale successfully. Today, Mariana works together with her team to develop and implement new programs to accelerate impact driven startups and initiate impact measurement tools for the impact investing sector.

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

Green Fintech Network Member, State Secretary for International Finance SIF

MassChallenge, Sustainable Food Systems Challenge, Jury Member

Social Impact Accelerator SIA, Jury Member

Zoé Dumont

Senior Impact and Project Manager Email • LinkedIn

Zoé is leading our accelerator programs that support impact-driven entrepreneurs to manage and scale their impact. 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.

Elena Soto

Impact Analyst Support Email • LinkedIn

Elena Soto supports SEIF’s Impact Investing services team with the impact assessment tool, impact due diligence of start-ups, as well as connecting the investor network with promising impact start-ups. Elena is convinced that the social acceptance of sustainable innovations begins with great business models supported by knowledge sharing and economic resources. After graduating from the University of St.Gallen with a bachelor in business administration, she was at the front of the business development of impact tech start-ups in several markets and industries. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in Accounting and Finance at her alma matter.

Nilani Sunthar

Project Manager & Impact Analyst Email • LinkedIn

Nilani’s analytical game is strong. She believes that there is no real change made, without being able to prove it in a data-driven way. She brings with her a previous consulting experience and an education on how to lead companies in a sustainable and profitable way. She loves active contact with different stakeholders and likes getting her point of views challenged. She will focus on supporting the startups to leverage their impact, hence helping SEIF to grow further in its mission.

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.

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

As Partner with a focus on finance and investments, Luca supports the assessment of impact driven investment opportunities. He is a strong believer that entrepreneurs that have an impact purpose and a technical innovation are more driven – and thus more successful in their ventures. Luca currently works for a Swiss based startup active in climate change mitigation. Previously, Luca worked in finance in the agronomy sector in both Europe and South America and has Large Cap M&A experience. Luca holds a Master in Banking and Finance from the University of St. Gallen and is completing his studies in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at HEC in Paris. 

Niccolò Schlueb

Impact Management Consultant Email • LinkedIn

Niccolò’s role strongly focuses on accelerating and supporting impact-driven initiatives and mission-driven entrepreneurs. He has mentored and consulted numerous startups and lead several impact workshops. Besides, Niccolò is also invested in developing and implementing impact management tools and measuring and reporting the impact of young companies.