EP #44 - Emile de Rijk: Building A Business In Outer Space

Timestamps:

2:44 - The story behind the name "Swissto12"

7:50 - Identifying and solving problems

11:17 - Switching markets

21:00 - Convincing customers

27:04 - Emile's plans for the funds he raised.

Biography

Emile de Rijk is the co-founder and CEO of Swissto12, a high-tech company which specializes in the 3D printing of radio frequency products based on its own patented technology. The company’s technology originated from Emil’s PhD thesis at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), in Lausanne. After initially focusing on the production of scientific equipment, the company pivoted in 2014 and since then is mainly active in the market for antennas for satellite telecommunications. Swissto12 was awarded a contract by the European Space Agency in 2015 and raised a $ 18.5m series B round earlier this year with Swisscom Ventures as one of the lead investors.