Timestamps:

00:34 – What Daphne Technology Does

04:09 – From the Navy to Physics to Switzerland

12:41 – When the Original Business Model Disappeared

31:50 – Scaling Too Early

42:23 – The Catch With Strategic Investors

This episode is part of the⁠⁠ Swisspreneur Scale-up Circle ⁠⁠content, our curated community of Swiss Series A + founders and operators where you can get operator grade insight.

Episode description:

Mario Michan is the founder of Daphne Technology, a Swiss deeptech company working on emissions reduction for hard-to-abate industries. The company started with a strong technology, but Mario quickly learned that building the product was only one part of the challenge. Scaling it meant dealing with slower sales cycles and financing pressure that does not wait politely in the background.

In this episode, Mario talks about the moments that shaped Daphne Technology’s growth, including a $6 million grant that went into limbo overnight. He also looks back on the decision to scale the team before the product was fully ready to sell. At the time, it made sense. Later, it became one of the lessons he would not forget.

The conversation gives a very honest look at industrial deeptech from the inside. Market interest can be high, but revenue can still take a long time to arrive. Strategic investors can help a lot, but they also bring their own dynamics when the company needs to pivot.