Cultural Crossroads: Exploring the Innovation Sparked by Living in Diverse Countries

One of the things I enjoy most about the summer is the chance to take a break with family and friends, and to also pause a bit to reflect on a busy, yet extremely exciting, first half of the year.  A few months ago, I moved back to Switzerland after living in Silicon Valley, the heart of the global tech scene, for over two years. As some of you may know, I lived in different countries growing up, and have also done so across my professional career. I’ve always been really energized to live and work in different places, because it’s a great way to broaden my knowledge and horizons. All of those experiences helped shape me, and my most recent experience in the U.S. was no different.

Living in California was a tremendous personal and professional experience for me. I learned an incredible amount about the US market, which is very important for Roche and the entire global economy, and of course about the thriving tech industry in California. And what impressed me most about the mindset in Silicon Valley is the strong opportunity-driven approach, the constant re-thinking of the world and the amazing entrepreneurial spirit of everyone. Switching between corporate roles and entrepreneurship is common and almost everyone acts as an entrepreneur at some point. People think big and see opportunities rather than risks. I believe that this mindset is the key that makes Silicon Valley such a powerful innovation cluster. And I loved my time in the U.S. beyond the working world! From the many national parks with their beautiful nature to the open and welcoming people, my time there allowed my family and I to enjoy great experiences, and make wonderful new friendships, for which I am incredibly grateful. I hope the pics in this post convey these experiences a bit!

On the other hand, it is energizing and exciting to be back in Switzerland, which has become my home after living here for so many years. Here, many things may be a bit more modest than in the US. For example, the pool of available venture capital is, logically, smaller. Start-ups based here in Switzerland and Europe therefore must think through their business models much more carefully. This can increase their success rate and guarantee more reliable partnerships for large corporations and venture capitalists, as these start-ups are more likely to survive in the long run.

On the private side, it's been wonderful to see my children re-adapt to their home country, move around independently, and to see them reconnect with their old friends. Of course, the latter also applies to my wife and me. Coming home is just nice.

As different as the United States and Switzerland may be, the two countries do have many things in common - like a belief in the power of innovation. Even if innovation takes shape differently, the successes on both sides of the ocean are equally remarkable. I think that this innovative strength in both locations benefits enormously from the local international community, combined with a high standard of living.

Looking back, I feel very grateful for the opportunity to experience both environments, for all the things I was able to learn and for all the people who crossed my path. There are definitely two hearts beating in my chest and I fervently hope that the innovative minds of this world will soon have a technology for Co2-neutral and time-shortening travel!