Matthias Bryner
Founder
Beat Müller
Software Development
Kay Foerschle
Marketing
Tobias Hochstrasser
Portfolio Management
Shari Kalmar
Content Creation
Roman Niederer
Operations & Support
Lukas Speiser
Board member
Miklos Stanek
Board member
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hens
Investment Committee
Roland Brack
Advisor
Fabian Lehner
Advisor
Markus Abbassi
Advisor
As one of Neon’s first employees, our founder Matthias experienced first-hand in 2018 how contemporary banking works – simple, affordable, transparent. It quickly became clear to him that a product like Neon was urgently needed in the investment area.
Many of his friends were leaving their savings lying around unused in savings accounts. Others, on the other hand, used complicated, non-transparent bank products for their investments and often paid high and often hidden fees, from which not they, but above all the bank profited.
It was time to change this. It was time for an investment solution, understandable and without all the jargon, one with fair fees and for which you don’t need half a fortune to even get started. And, as with Neon, packaged in a practical app. An investment solution that Matthias could recommend with conviction to all his friends, even those who had not yet had anything to do with the stock market.
And so findependent was born – an investment app for Matthias’ friends. And for you. And for your friends.
findependent takes care of the financial markets for you and independently selects the right investments for you (this should be self-evident, but unfortunately it is not, which is why we mention it here…).
We do not have expensive branches and thus keep the fees low, so that the return on your investment solution remains above all in your pocket. And thanks to our partner bank, you don’t have to compromise on security.
Thanks to the findependent app, your investment solution is always where you are – on your smartphone. Everything digital is your thing, but you also want to know the people behind it? Then just drop by our office in the old town of Aarau or join our community and participate in the further development of our app and findependent. We always act as equals, personally and honestly. Or just the way friends do it.
We are not a bank, but a young, motivated team that wants to make investing and the associated advantages accessible to everyone. So that everyone can benefit from economic success. Our goal is to enable you to make more out of your savings with findependent and thus live more self-determined and financially independent – or findependent for short.
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Matthias Bryner
Matthias is the one who came up with the idea for findependent. He wants to create a similar customer experience with the investment app as Neon, Revolut, Viac and Transferwise have done for other areas of banking: Digital, affordable and at eye level with customers.
Matthias experienced first-hand what it takes to be a successful fintech start-up during his time at Neon, Switzerland’s fastest-growing digital bank. Matthias knows what is important in fund and ETF selection from his time working at Credit Suisse.
He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Zurich and his Master’s degree in Banking & Finance at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), where he learned everything about the interrelationships in the financial markets, the various investment instruments and successful investment strategies.
Matthias Bryner
Matthias is the one who came up with the idea for findependent. He wants to create a similar customer experience with the investment app as Neon, Revolut, Viac and Transferwise have done for other areas of banking: Digital, affordable and at eye level with customers.
Matthias experienced first-hand what it takes to be a successful fintech start-up during his time at Neon, Switzerland’s fastest-growing digital bank. Matthias knows what is important in fund and ETF selection from his time working at Credit Suisse.
He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Zurich and his Master’s degree in Banking & Finance at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), where he learned everything about the interrelationships in the financial markets, the various investment instruments and successful investment strategies.
Beat Müller
Beat has been with findependent since November 2020. Having had his first experience of investing with a fund at a bank, he was enthusiastic about findependent’s simple and transparent approach right from the start and quickly liquidated his fund. Now he is very happy to be able to actively help convince others to do the same.
After his apprenticeship as a computer scientist and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Beat worked in web development for over 10 years. This gives him the necessary know-how to support findependent in the conception and realisation of new ideas. His all-rounder skills also fit perfectly into a start-up to lend a hand where needed.
Beat Müller
Beat has been with findependent since November 2020. Having had his first experience of investing with a fund at a bank, he was enthusiastic about findependent’s simple and transparent approach right from the start and quickly liquidated his fund. Now he is very happy to be able to actively help convince others to do the same.
After his apprenticeship as a computer scientist and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Beat worked in web development for over 10 years. This gives him the necessary know-how to support findependent in the conception and realisation of new ideas. His all-rounder skills also fit perfectly into a start-up to lend a hand where needed.
Kay Foerschle
Kay has been part of the findependent team since March 2022. User-centricity and customer empowerment are the most important drivers for him. That’s why he likes the vision of co-creating an investment app that contributes to financial literacy and makes users financially independent.
Kay is very sceptical about the added value of active asset management. After all, the vast majority of active (and expensively paid) fund managers do not actually manage to beat the market over time. Therefore, the passive investment style of the findependent solution convinced him from the beginning.
Before findependent, Kay was responsible for the marketing of digital products at Comparis, he was Head of Marketing and Communication at Moneypark and at Man Group, an asset manager, he was responsible for marketing in Zurich and built up the Market Intelligence division in London.
His knowledge of the asset management business stems from his training as a financial planner (CFP) and financial analyst and asset manager (CIIA) at the AZEK on the one hand, and from his 15 years as a client advisor in private banking on the other. He complements his theoretical background with two CAS in the areas of Digital Analytics in Marketing and Digital Ethics.
Kay Foerschle
Kay has been part of the findependent team since March 2022. User-centricity and customer empowerment are the most important drivers for him. That’s why he likes the vision of co-creating an investment app that contributes to financial literacy and makes customers financially independent.
Kay is very sceptical about the added value of active asset management. After all, the vast majority of active (and expensively paid) fund managers do not actually manage to beat the market over time. Therefore, the passive investment style of the findependent solution convinced him from the beginning.
Before findependent, Kay was responsible for the marketing of digital products at Comparis, he was Head of Marketing and Communication at Moneypark and at Man Group, an asset manager, he was responsible for marketing in Zurich and built up the Market Intelligence division in London.
His knowledge of the asset management business stems from his training as a financial planner (CFP) and financial analyst and asset manager (CIIA) at the AZEK on the one hand, and from his 15 years as a client advisor in private banking on the other. He complements his theoretical background with two CAS in the areas of Digital Analytics in Marketing and Digital Ethics.
Tobias Hochstrasser
Tobias joined findependent in July 2022. As early as his school days, he considered business news and stock market data to be the most interesting part of a newspaper and invested his pocket money in shares. His recipe for successful investing is simple: consistently pursue your investment strategy, maintain strict cost discipline and have patience. In his opinion, findependent’s investment solution offers the optimal entry point for private investors.
Tobias naturally focused his studies on the financial markets and obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Zurich and the University of Edinburgh respectively. Soon after, he also passed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams. Over the past 10 years, he has worked in traditional asset management for two well-known financial services providers. He designed their investment strategy and managed portfolios of wealthy private clients from all over the world as well as those of numerous Swiss pension funds. He is therefore ideally qualified to support findependent in the further development of its investment solutions.
Tobias Hochstrasser
Tobias joined findependent in July 2022. As early as his school days, he considered business news and stock market data to be the most interesting part of a newspaper and invested his pocket money in shares. His recipe for successful investing is simple: consistently pursue your investment strategy, maintain strict cost discipline and have patience. In his opinion, findependent’s investment solution offers the optimal entry point for private investors.
Tobias naturally focused his studies on the financial markets and obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Zurich and the University of Edinburgh respectively. Soon after, he also passed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams. Over the past 10 years, he has worked in traditional asset management for two well-known financial services providers. He designed their investment strategy and managed portfolios of wealthy private clients from all over the world as well as those of numerous Swiss pension funds. He is therefore ideally qualified to support findependent in the further development of its investment solutions.
Shari Kalmar
Shari joined findependent in July 2023. Through an internship in the insurance industry, she developed a great interest in the topic of “private financial provision”, which led her to the path of investing.
“Make more out of your savings” findependent supports this statement. Shari also follows this motto and wants to bring this message to everyone’s attention with her content on findependent’s social media channels.
Shari completed her bachelor’s degree in product design at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and is currently completing a course in UX design besides her work as a content creator. In the future, Shari plans to participate in the further development of the findependent app and hopes to attract even more people to invest with findependent.
Shari Kalmar
Shari joined findependent in July 2023. Through an internship in the insurance industry, she developed a great interest in the topic of “private financial provision”, which led her to the path of investing.
“Make more out of your savings” findependent supports this statement. Shari also follows this motto and wants to bring this message to everyone’s attention with her content on findependent’s social media channels.
Shari completed her bachelor’s degree in product design at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and is currently completing a course in UX design besides her work as a content creator. In the future, Shari plans to participate in the further development of the findependent app and hopes to attract even more people to invest with findependent.
Roman Niederer
Roman has been on board at findependent since July 2023. He has been fascinated by the world of finance since his school days, so it is not surprising that he decided to study for a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
He is convinced that investing must be accessible to everyone. findependent’s mission fits in with this. findependent makes investing possible without prior knowledge and with a low minimum investment amount.
Through his involvement with findependent, Roman hopes to convince the younger generation to invest as well. Because targeted investing, especially with the investment solutions of findependent, has a sustainable impact on both assets and the environment.
Roman Niederer
Roman has been on board at findependent since July 2023. He has been fascinated by the world of finance since his school days, so it is not surprising that he decided to study for a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
He is convinced that investing must be accessible to everyone. findependent’s mission fits in with this. findependent makes investing possible without prior knowledge and with a low minimum investment amount.
Through his involvement with findependent, Roman hopes to convince the younger generation to invest as well. Because targeted investing, especially with the investment solutions of findependent, has a sustainable impact on both assets and the environment.
Lukas Speiser
«Anyone who knows the ropes knows that ETF investment solutions such as those from findependent are the best investment option in the long term. Packaged in a comprehensible app with excellent user experience, findependent has created a product that is truly convincing.» – Lukas
After successfully building his own startup Amorana, Lukas is now helping to shape the strategic development of findependent as a board member.
Lukas Speiser
«Anyone who knows the ropes knows that ETF investment solutions such as those from findependent are the best investment option in the long term. Packaged in a comprehensible app with excellent user experience, findependent has created a product that is truly convincing.» – Lukas
After successfully building his own startup Amorana, Lukas is now helping to shape the strategic development of findependent as a board member.
Miklos Stanek
«findependent has a focused product that can create a lot of added value for a broad target group. The growth so far shows that the investment app has already established itself well in the market. We now need to build on this» – Miklos
As a founding partner of Backbone Ventures, Miklos has a large network and a lot of experience in building start-ups, which he brings in as a board member.
Miklos Stanek
«findependent has a focused product that can create a lot of added value for a broad target group. The growth so far shows that the investment app has already established itself well in the market. We now need to build on this» – Miklos
As a founding partner of Backbone Ventures, Miklos has a large network and a lot of experience in building start-ups, which he brings in as a board member.
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hens
“With its long-term-oriented investment philosophy and especially its straightforward implementation with ETFs, findependent stands out pleasantly from the rest of the asset managers. Here you get investment performance without any ifs and buts. That pleases me very much.” – Prof. Hens
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hens is deputy head of the Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Zurich. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Bonn and, before coming to Zurich in 1999, was chairholder at the University of Bielefeld. His areas of expertise are Evolutionary Finance, Behavioral Finance, Fintech and Blockchain.
Whether as an author in a professional journal, as an interview partner in a business magazine or as a speaker and panelist at a professional event, Prof. Hens is a sought-after guest.
At findependent, Prof. Hens is a member of the Investment Committee, which is responsible for strategic decisions in investment-specific topics.
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hens
“With its long-term-oriented investment philosophy and especially its straightforward implementation with ETFs, findependent stands out pleasantly from the rest of the asset managers. Here you get investment performance without any ifs and buts. That pleases me very much.” – Prof. Hens
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Hens is deputy head of the Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Zurich. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Bonn and, before coming to Zurich in 1999, was chairholder at the University of Bielefeld. His areas of expertise are Evolutionary Finance, Behavioral Finance, Fintech and Blockchain.
Whether as an author in a professional journal, as an interview partner in a business magazine or as a speaker and panelist at a professional event, Prof. Hens is a sought-after guest.
At findependent, Prof. Hens is a member of the Investment Committee, which is responsible for strategic decisions in investment-specific topics.
Roland Brack
«I was immediately impressed by the simplicity of findependent. The team around Matthias convinces with a lot of passion and a genuine interest in making the advantages of investing accessible to everyone.» – Roland
As a successful e-commerce entrepreneur, Roland supports findependent in building up its business with his many years of experience and his large network. As an active user, he also always provides feedback for an even better customer experience.
Roland Brack
«I was immediately impressed by the simplicity of findependent. The team around Matthias convinces with a lot of passion and a genuine interest in making the advantages of investing accessible to everyone.» – Roland
As a successful e-commerce entrepreneur, Roland supports findependent in building up its business with his many years of experience and his large network. As an active user, he also always provides feedback for an even better customer experience.
Fabian Lehner
«findependent convinced me right from the start because of the simple and intuitive app. As a former banker, I know that for many private individuals, digital asset management at favourable conditions is sufficient. findependent offers exactly as much as necessary and thus remains uncomplicated and understandable.» – Fabian
With about 20 years of experience in banking, Fabian Lehner is a forward-thinking financial expert and also very well connected through his activities as a business angel and advisor for other start-ups.
Fabian Lehner
«findependent convinced me right from the start because of the simple and intuitive app. As a former banker, I know that for many private individuals, digital asset management at favourable conditions is sufficient. findependent offers exactly as much as necessary and thus remains uncomplicated and understandable.» – Fabian
With about 20 years of experience in banking, Fabian Lehner is a forward-thinking financial expert and also very well connected through his activities as a business angel and advisor for other start-ups.
Markus Abbassi
«In the meantime, everyone understands that you don’t earn anything on your savings account. But most people don’t want to deal with the financial markets on a daily basis. That’s where findependent comes in with its simple and understandable investment app.» – Markus
Markus supports findependent with his many years of experience in the financial industry, his passion for innovation and technology, but also with his knowledge as a former startup founder.
Markus Abbassi
«In the meantime, everyone understands that you don’t earn anything on your savings account. But most people don’t want to deal with the financial markets on a daily basis. That’s where findependent comes in with its simple and understandable investment app.» – Markus
Markus supports findependent with his many years of experience in the financial industry, his passion for innovation and technology, but also with his knowledge as a former startup founder.