Harpist Mari Kelly opened the day with reinterpretations of well-known hits like Money, Money, Money and Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. Then Forbes Editor-in-Chief Klaus Fiala stepped on stage and offered a reminder that even inside the Sistine Chapel – where the pope is currently being elected – money plays a role. “Apart from a spiritual leader, the Catholic Church is also looking for a CEO, a money manager. And this example shows just how omnipresent money is in our society,” Fiala said.

What followed were nine sessions and eleven speakers, offering very different perspectives on a single topic: Money.

Marko Bjelonic, co-founder of Zurich-based robotics company Rivr, opened the summit with a story that started in a refugee camp and led to ETH Zurich – and eventually to a conversation with Jeff Bezos. “I went to Silicon Valley for three weeks to advance my network. I always asked the people I met to give me a recommendation. And then one day, I got an email saying that Jeff Bezos wants to talk to me. I thought it was spam at first—thank god I didn’t delete it.” Bezos invested – and helps Bjelonic and his team develop their robot “Milo” – part dog, part machine. It will change the way our packages and food are being delivered to our homes and offices. And as Milo rolled through the Park Hyatt’s ballroom, the room fell completely silent. The Money Summit had officially opened.

The theme of tech-driven change carried into the next panel: Alex Stöckl, Managing Partner at Founderful, and Oliver Künzler, Head of Corporate / M&A at Wenger Plattner, discussed whether Switzerland could one day have its own version of Silicon Valley. Both agreed that it’s not about copying the Bay Area but creating the right conditions. As Stöckl put it: “Forget about me and investors – just show that what you do is actually worth it.” Künzler added: “A lawyer is like an insurance. The earlier you come, the cheaper it is.”

Volatility was the main topic for Bekim Laski, Chief Investment Officer at smzh ag. “You can build a resilient portfolio with just a couple of hundred francs – it’s not about size, it’s about structure,” Laski said, offering strategies for investors navigating a new geopolitical reality. A personal consultation with Laski, by the way, was raffled off at the event.

Before the coffee break, two different leaders looking for a similar target group took the stage: Dorothée Borca Dumortier, CEO of IG Bank, shared insights from nearly two decades in the industry and the ten year-old IG Bank. “Fast success feeds the ego – slow progress builds character,” she said. Julian Biegmann, General Manager Switzerland at Revolut, countered in white sneakers and with a bold plan: “We’re aiming for 100 million clients and to operate across the entire planet.”

After cappuccinos and croissants, the second half of the Money Summit began with Jan Gerber, founder and CEO of Paracelsus Recovery – a rehabilitation clinic tailored for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. With candour and precision, Gerber spoke about depression, addiction, and the psychological weight of wealth.

Next came Diana Diaz Castro, founder of FT4SD and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, who works at the intersection of global finance and development. She explained how capital, when structured correctly, can fund the future. “Currently, only around three percent of global spending on sustainable development comes from private capital. The potential is huge.”

Philippe A. Naegeli, CEO of GenTwo, then challenged the crowd to imagine a world where everything can be an investable asset. “We’re creating a world where anyone can invest in what they understand and believe in,” he said. From fine wine to intellectual property, his company helps turn ideas into investable products.

Then came Richard Schäli – 18 years old, a student and perhaps the country’s youngest financial advisor. “There are two ways you’re going to make money with AI: you either buy the Googles, the Amazons – or you buy legacy businesses and improve them using AI,” said Schäli, describing his recent trip through the U.S. mid-market.

The final speaker brought a completely different tone: Christian Stadil, CEO of Denmark’s Thornico Group, which owns more than 150 companies worldwide – including sportswear brand Hummel. In his talk, Stadil wove together financial performance and spiritual purpose. “Our company should not be an island – we are interdependent in the world,” he said, referencing Buddhist philosophy and initiatives like Hummel’s football program for former child soldiers in Sierra Leone.

After a day packed with perspectives, guests gathered at the Onyx Bar for drinks and discussion. Special thanks go to our partners: the Boardroom, Netwrk AG, Haute Capital, Wenger Plattner, smzh ag, and the Park Hyatt Zurich.

To our speakers: thank you for your courage, your ideas – and your honesty.

We’ll see you again at the Forbes Money Summit 2026.

Zusätzliche Fotos folgen in Kürze.

Fotos: Samotion