New executives with start-up experience

Stéphane Dufour is the new Managing Director of the EPFL Innovation Park Foundation, starting today May 1, 2024. He brings a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and innovation, having held significant roles at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Swisscom where he served as Head of Strategy and innovation and Executive Board member of Swisscom Switzerland. In addition, he co-founded two startups: tiko Energy Solutions and Seclab. Tiko, active in the field of smart grid and advanced technologies for real-time energy management, was founded in 2012 as a joint venture by Swisscom and the Grisons-based energy company Repower Ltd and sold to French energy company ENGIE in 2019. The French cybersecurity startup Seclab, a spin-off from EDF Group, was founded in 2015 and acquired in January 2024. Stéphane Dufour holds master’s degrees from the Institut National de Télécommunications in Paris and Paris Dauphine University, along with several board certifications.

In his new capacity, Stéphane will focus on enhancing the collaborative environment of the EPFL Innovation Park, ensuring it remains at the forefront of technological innovation and enterprise. His approach will emphasize strategic leadership and a commitment to fostering an environment where innovative ideas can flourish and lead to successful commercial ventures.

Adrian Hunn appointed Swiss Medtech Managing Director

Swiss Medtech’s Board of Directors has appointed Adrian Hunn as the new Managing Director. The 45-year-old will assume his position in Bern on 1 June 2024. Adrian Hunn studied social sciences in Fribourg, holds a postgraduate Master of Business Administration, and has been active in the medtech industry and related sectors for sixteen years. In addition to working for international medtech groups such as Sonova, Adrian Hunn has also gained experience in medtech start-ups and scale-ups, including Dentalpoint where he successfully guided future growth strategy in his role as CEO. He also serves as member of the Board of Directors at onCyt Microbiology. Swiss Medtech represents more than 750 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology.

Anna Fontcuberta i Morral named as new EPFL president

The Federal Council appointed Anna Fontcuberta i Morral as the new president of EPFL. The 49-year-old is a professor of materials science and engineering at EPFL in Lausanne. She will succeed Martin Vetterli on 1 January 2025. Professor Fontcuberta i Morral has been appointed for a four-year term of office. She is an eminent scientist who established the Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials as a world leader in sustainable nanotechnologies and co-founded the successful start-up Aonex Technologies during her time as a visiting researcher at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA.

As Associate Vice President for Centers and Platforms at EPFL, Anna Fontcuberta i Morral is already involved in EPFL's academic administration. She is also an active member of various scientific advisory boards, committees and specialised bodies.

(Press release / SK)
Picture L-R: Stéphane Dufour (EPFL Innovation Park), Adrian Hunn (Swiss Medtech), Anna Fontcuberta i Morral (EAER / Nicolas Righetti)