We Are ETH From ETH Zurich to São Paulo: Leading Innovation Ecosystems – Benjamin Bollmann
Apr 3, 2025
Benjamin Bollmann, CEO of Swissnex Brazil and a tech-savvy neuroscientist with roots in ETH Zurich and MIT, reveals his fascinating journey from skateboarding to science. He shares insights on adapting to São Paulo's vibrant culture and its intricate real estate. Benjamin discusses the stark contrasts in global innovation ecosystems, highlighting Zurich's research-driven methods against Silicon Valley's digital innovation. He also elaborates on Swissnex's role in enhancing global partnerships for Swiss startups, creating pathways for scientific collaboration.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Skateboarding to Science
- Benjamin Bollmann shared his personal journey from skateboarding to becoming a sound engineering apprentice before joining the academic track.
- His path was unconventional, highlighting persistence and adapting his interests toward science and technology education.
Mapping the Brain at MIT
- Benjamin worked in a neuroscience lab at MIT researching the brain's complex architecture.
- They used AI to map neural connections, a frontier not yet achieved for human brains.
Neural Architectures Exhibition
- Benjamin created an immersive public exhibition called Neural Architectures to illustrate brain complexity.
- This innovative project led to Swissnex inviting him, starting his connection with the global Swiss science network.