Innovation begins with imagining what lies beyond.

Nicole Herzog

"Pillars of Creation" Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI).

I believe in creating the space for people and ideas to shine.

I’m Nicole Herzog – entrepreneur, board member, and angel investor.

As a founder and Chairwoman, I’ve built and scaled software companies through successful exits. I actively contribute to Switzerland’s innovation landscape by sharing what I’ve learned, investing in start-ups, supporting founders, and helping shape the space that allows them to grow.

I’m driven by curiosity, a passion for learning, and a deep commitment to empowering remarkable people on their journeys toward lasting success.

Experience has taught me that true innovation happens when vision meets action and when the right environment allows potential to thrive. That’s why I commit myself fully to strengthening the broader ecosystem, connecting founders, investors, institutions, and ideas to build what doesn’t yet exist.

My path began in law, and after following the call for entrepreneurship, I’ve been building ventures and creating new paths ever since.

Portrait of Nicole Herzog from Remo Neuhaus

From New Horizons to Early Beginnings

My Entrepreneurial Timeline

  • New Horizons

    Building Bridges to Space

    Captured by the opportunities and relevance of the space industry, I became involved in a field, which is built for generations to come. I support the Swiss space ecosystem by connecting investors, start-ups, institutions, and global players.

  • Today – Current focus

    Board Leadership & Swiss Innovation

    I serve on the boards of scale-ups and SMEs, support start-ups as an angel investor, and contribute to Switzerland’s innovation landscape as a member of the Innovation Council at Innosuisse. I also enjoy sharing insights through speaking engagements and university sessions.

    Currently involved with:
    VIU Eyewear | Inyova | Maestrani | Innosuisse

  • 2013 – Scaling Impact

    Angel Investing & Chairing with Purpose

    In 2013, I became Chairwoman and investor at Sherpany, guiding the company through its growth journey and successful exit to Datasite in 2024. Subsequently, I stepped into the Chair role at VIU Eyewear, where I’ve been involved since 2015.

    Sherpany | VIU Eyewear

  • 2010 – Closing as a Choice

    Finishing Unfinished Business

    After stepping back from my role at umantis, I completed the Swiss bar exam not to practice law, but to finish what I started. A quiet reminder that finishing can matter as much as starting.

  • 2000 – First Ventures

    Building from Scratch

    In 2000, I co-founded BrainsToVentures (now b2venture), one of Switzerland’s early venture capital firms, and launched umantis, a talent management software company. As COO, I scaled umantis to a successful exit, learning when to lead and when to let go.

    b2venture | Abacus Umantis

  • 1998 – A Quiet Shift

    Stepping into the Unknown

    Studying law at the University of St.Gallen taught me structural thinking and problem-solving skills, but I realized that practicing law wasn’t for me. Instead, I followed the call for curiosity and entrepreneurship, a choice that would shape everything that followed.

Nicole Herzog visiting Intuitive Machines in Houston
At Intuitive Machines in Houston, in front of a lunar lander. With thanks to founder and CEO Steve Altemus for the tour. Reflections from my visit.

Curious to follow along?

The visible part of my journey continues through conversations, writing, and the occasional step in front of the camera, always grounded in entrepreneurship, innovation, and building what hasn’t yet been built.

Here are a few glimpses of my work and thinking:

For more thoughts and updates, you're welcome to follow along on LinkedIn. You’ll also find a few reflections there, like this one from a recent event for private investors where I shared the stage to talk about the opportunities of the New Space Economy.

If you'd like to connect directly, you can reach me at nicole@nicoleherzog.me