Melanie Gabriel joins ETH AI Center as Co-Director and COO
The co-founder of Yokoy strengthens the entrepreneurial & business perspective of the ETH AI Center. As Co-Director and COO, she will oversee operations, communications, and innovation activities.
We are excited to welcome Melanie Gabriel as Co-Director & COO of the ETH AI Center. A seasoned entrepreneur and HSG alumna, Melanie brings a powerful blend of strategic business insight and hands-on startup experience to our leadership team.
She leads the ETH AI Center together with Alexander Ilic who continues to serve as Executive Director. In her new role, she will oversee the Center’s operations, led by Natalia Marciniak, communications, led by Helga Rietz, and the innovation and entrepreneurship activities led by Daniel Naeff.
Before joining ETH, Melanie co-founded Yokoy, a Swiss FinTech and AI company that scaled to over 200 employees and raised more than 100 million dollars from top-tier VCs including Sequoia and Balderton. Her successes earned her the title of HSG founder of the Year 2023 and a place amongst Switzerland’s Top 100 Digital Shapers. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, she hosts the “Follow the Gradient” podcast, which democratizes startup knowledge and mentors emerging founders.
“I’m excited to be shaping the future of ETH AI Center together with Andreas Krause, Alex Ilic and the team with the goal to continue to attract world-class faculty & talent for outstanding research, innovation and education”, comments Melanie Gabriel. “I also believe it’s essential that AI research is translated into tangible and useful solutions for the benefit of society. That’s exactly where ETH AI Center has put its focus, and I can’t wait to support that mission.”
Melanie has already played a pivotal role at ETH AI Center as part of our Entrepreneur in Residence program, co-creating the Technology & Entrepreneurship course and mentoring startup teams. Her entrepreneurial drive and commitment to societal impact make her a perfect fit to co-lead the Center.