Business Activists

Are you working on a side hustle, launching your own app, or building an online business? If so, join our **Shipped Meetup!** This group is for **bootstrappers, side hustlers, and independent founders** looking to exchange ideas, get feedback, and support each other on the journey to building profitable businesses without venture capital. What we do each meetup: **\- Share success stories / progress** **\- Meet others via speed dating** **\- Present projects** **\- Ask questions** This isn’t a typical networking event, there are **no sales pitches, no fees, just real conversations and support** from like-minded entrepreneurs. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, join us for our next meetup! Let’s build a thriving indie community together. Looking forward to seeing you there! Also, feel free to join our socials using the links below👇

**Welcome to Top Notch Toastmasters Zurich!** [www.topnotch.toastmastersclubs.org](http://www.topnotch.toastmastersclubs.org) \*\* Please arrive 15 minutes before, meeting begin \*\* **When & Where** Every Wednesday, 10–15 members and guests meet **in person** to practice public speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, dynamic environment. *(Please note: members don’t RSVP via Meetup.)* **What to Expect** ✅ Self-paced learning—advance at your own speed ✅ Hands-on experience—speak, lead, and grow ✅ Supportive feedback from peers ✅ Guidance from experienced mentors ✅ Monthly workshops—every last Wednesday on communication and public speaking topics **Who We Are** Part of **Toastmasters International**, a global network of over 352,000 members dedicated to helping peoplecommunicate with confidence and discover their leadership potential. **Drinks & Socializing** After each meeting, we head to a nearby bar to relax and connect—perfect for networking and great conversation. Come visit us! Our welcoming team is excited to show you how Toastmasters can help you grow personally and professionally. ✨ **We can’t wait to meet you!** ✨

**WALK THE TALK** Zurich Toastmasters is the place to be if you want to improve your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. **Walk the Talk** offers a friendly and inspirational environment for all levels of public speaking experience. Guests and new members are always welcome! A typical meeting includes 1–3 prepared speeches by members, evaluations of the speeches, and Table Topics – impromptu speaking. This meeting is Hybrid. "You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart." John Ford DISCLAIMER: We may take pictures/videos of our events and share them online or on social media. If you do not wish to be in the pictures, please let us know before the meeting starts. We will do our best to respect your wishes.

Olivier Club and Fishman VC have launched a series of events for ambitious founders, investors and professionals in Zurich. What we do: In partnership with other VCs and accelerators we create an environment where founders make new connections, share experience and pitch to investors. How it goes: * Pre-selected founders pitch live * Investors & founders networking together * The best pitchers are chosen for further acceleration, PR in biggest media portals and access to before market solutions for collaboration with investors and founders. * Each attendee will be added to a private network of founders and investors. Who’s invited: Venture capitalists Angel Investors Startup founders Professionals Artists After 7 years of private events we are going public! Send your pitch deck to this email address after getting pitcher ticket: pitch@olivierclub.com

A decade. Hundreds of conversations, ideas, and inspirations. And we're celebrating with a meetup that truly delivers. Three exceptional speakers, topics that matter, and plenty of room for what has made this meetup special for 10 years: real people, real conversations, real networking. **The Evening at a Glance** 17:30 Doors open, first drinks, familiar faces and new ones 18:00 Welcome and a brief look back at 10 years of DevOps Meetup Zurich 18:15–18:45 **Claws in the Dark: Bringing DevSecOps to Legacy Hardware with Robotics and Playwright** by Alexander Friesen 18:45–19:15 **Beyond Agile: Structuring Organizations for Real Autonomy** by Lea Düker 19:15–19:25 Short break 19:25–19:55 **From Bottlenecks to Flow: OKRs, Value Stream Management, and Governance Done Right** by Vasileios Konofaos 19:55–20:15 Panel discussion with all three speakers 20:15 Networking, Open Space, snacks, drinks, and anniversary cake 🎂 **Claws in the Dark: Bringing DevSecOps to Legacy Hardware with Robotics and Playwright** What do you do when your software’s "deployment target" is a piece of security hardware embedded in a concrete wall for 20 years? In the world of access control, we don't have the luxury of "move fast and break things"—if the integration fails, the door stays locked. For decades, hardware development at Primion relied on manual bit-shifting, incomplete specifications, and the "read, write, and pray" method. When the pandemic decentralized our R&D department—scattering 60 developers across Europe—the traditional model of physical bench testing collapsed. We couldn't send a lab to everyone’s home, so we brought the developers to the lab through robotics. In this session, we deep-dive into how we bridged the physical-digital divide by building a fully automated hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing farm. We will explore: * The Architecture: How we orchestrate GitLab CI, Azure ephemeral environments, and Playwright to drive physical interactions. * The Hardware Hack: How a 200 CHF robotic claw replaced manual testing, allowing developers to "touch" hardware from anywhere in the world. * The Shift-Left Strategy: Moving from "praying for compatibility" to robust integration testing that catches bit-level errors before they ever hit the factory floor. * Scaling on a Budget: How a single working student scaled our setup to 20+ (and rising) automated test cells. Join us to see how "claws moving in the dark" turned hardware debugging from a nightmare into a breeze, and learn how to apply DevSecOps principles to the most stubborn, physical environments. **Alexander Friesen** Aexander is a **Lead IT Architect** with over a decade of experience in software architecture and technical leadership. He specializes in building and scaling modern ecosystems for major enterprises like **Swisscard** and **Siemens**. DevOps & Platform Engineering Highlights * **Platform Leadership:** Directed technical strategy for Siemens’ IoT flagship "BuildingX" and managed multi-million dollar budgets for large-scale SAFe trains. * **Automation & Compliance:** Expert in **DevSecOps**, achieving ISO27000 compliance through automated CI/CD pipelines and security scanning. * **Efficiency Gains:** Improved software team productivity by **30%** through the implementation of AI Ops and Internal Developer Platforms. * **Cloud Native Stack:** Certified **AWS Architect** with deep expertise in Kubernetes, Terraform, Serverless, and **Data Mesh** architectures. * **Global Teams:** Proven track record of leading cross-functional engineering teams across Switzerland, Germany, the USA, and India. **Beyond Agile: Structuring Organizations for Real Autonomy** Many organizations invest in agile methods, DevOps, and new technologies, and yet the desired impact on collaboration, accountability, and decision-making often fails to materialize. A key lever for change lies in how organizations are structured. This talk provides an introduction to Holacracy as a model for radical self-organization and places it within the broader landscape of organizational development. It explains what defines Holacracy, the principles behind it, and the problems it aims to address. The focus, however, is not solely on the organizational model. The talk also presents concrete tools and practices of self-organization, such as clear role definitions, structured decision-making processes, and transparent governance, that can be applied regardless of the organizational structure in place. **Lea Düker** * Since 2024: IT Project Manager and Scrum Master at digital agency Unic AG * 2021–2024: Project Manager and Deputy Head of IT at the Building Department of the City of Zurich * 2018–2021: Consultant for Process Management at Join GmbH * 2016–2018: Master's degree in Business Management with a specialization in Process Management **From Bottlenecks to Flow: OKRs, Value Stream Management, and Governance Done Right** In our session, we'll be delving into the advanced flow engineering practices we've implemented at KPMG CH for our Cloud Platform. These methods have truly transformed how we deliver outcomes—faster, safer, and with an even greater level of satisfaction. During the session, we'll take a closer look at how we leverage OKRs to align teams and drive strategic goals, and how Value Stream Management helps us optimize workflow and eliminate bottlenecks. Our robust Governance model will also be discussed, highlighting how we maintain compliance without sacrificing agility. Beyond sharing the technical details, we'll reflect on the lessons learned and valuable insights we've gained throughout our journey. Our goal is to provide actionable takeaways that will benefit the DevOps community and inspire organizations seeking to enhance their delivery pipelines and nurture a culture of continuous improvement. **Vasileios Konofaos** Head of Business Services CH Group Digital Vasileios Konofaos is a seasoned technology leader with more than 20 years of experience driving large‑scale software engineering, cloud infrastructure, and digital transformation initiatives. As Director of Business Services CH Group Digital at KPMG Switzerland, he leads high‑impact programs that advance innovation, operational excellence, and AI‑enabled capabilities across the organization. His career spans senior roles in global financial institutions and consulting firms, where he has successfully delivered complex projects in software development, automation, DevOps, and machine learning. Certified in Azure, ITIL, PMP, PRINCE2, and Scrum, Vasileios is recognized for his strategic mindset, strong leadership, and ability to empower teams to achieve exceptional results. He brings deep expertise in systems analysis, project delivery, and process improvement, consistently enabling organizations to scale technology solutions with quality and precision. Many thanks to our **sponsors**: * Catering and Location Sponsor: **KPMG** https://kpmg.com/

Join us, once a month, on a Wednesday afternoon for an easy-paced walk by the lake — a midweek pause to breathe, move, and connect. We’ll meet in front of the Opera House and take a walk along the lake, letting conversation flow as naturally as the path. These walks are about more than slowing down — they’re a way to clear the noise and make space for new perspectives. Sometimes it’s in motion that the mind finds its calm and ideas come into focus. A simple hour to refresh, connect, and perhaps see something familiar in a new light.

**The Growth Breakfast - Zürich** **Good coffee. Great conversations. Real business growth.** Join a friendly group of local entrepreneurs, small business owners and professionals for a relaxed Friday morning breakfast — a space to connect, share ideas and talk openly about business and growth. No agenda. No pitches. No pressure. Just real conversations with people who *get it*. **What to Expect** A relaxed, informal breakfast where you can: * Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs * Share ideas, challenges and wins * Learn from others on the same path * Build genuine relationships (no forced networking) * Start your day inspired, focused and energised Whether you run your own company, freelance, consult, or simply love talking about business, you’ll feel right at home. **How it Works** Everyone orders and pays for their own breakfast. You just bring: * An open mind * A willingness to share * Good vibes and your morning energy Simple, easy, enjoyable. **Details** 🗓 **Friday, 10 April 2026** ⏰ **9:00 – 10:30** 📍 **Coworking Lounge at Tessinerplatz** Tessinerplatz 7, 8002 Zürich (2-minute walk from Bahnhof Enge — Trams 5, 6, 7, 13, 17 or S-Bahn 2, 8, 21, 24) **Who's It For?** Entrepreneurs • Small business owners • Consultants • Freelancers • Creatives • Professionals who love talking about business growth and want to be around switched-on people. **Important Notes** ✔ This is a **free community meetup** — each person pays for their own breakfast ✔ No selling, no pitching ✔ Just genuine conversation and good company **Ready to join us?** Click **Attend** to reserve your spot — we’re looking forward to a great morning together

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

Join us for an exclusive[ Signature](https://www.signaturebahnhofplatz.ch/en-gb) Open Day featuring guided tours, a tasting of our Italian catering, and a first look at our premium offices, modern meeting rooms, flexible event spaces, and the rooftop restaurant — all located in the heart of Zurich

**After Work Painting in der Kreativwerkstatt Zürich** Feier den Feierabend mal anders! Anmeldung: [www.kreativwerkstatt.design](http://www.kreativwerkstatt.design) Tauche ein in Farbe, Pinsel und gute Vibes – ganz ohne Druck oder Vorkenntnisse. Wir malen, plaudern, trinken vielleicht ein Glas und lassen den Alltag einfach draußen. Kleine Runde – max. 10 Personen – so bleibt’s persönlich, gemütlich und kreativ. Ab 18:30 Uhr geöffnet – komm, wann es dir passt! Donnerstags (check die aktuellen Daten auf unserer Homepage) \-\-\- End your workday in a creative way! Join us for a relaxed evening of painting, chatting, and unwinding — no pressure, no experience needed. Just drop in, grab a brush, and let your creativity flow. Small group – max. 10 people – cozy, personal & inspiring. Doors open at 6:30 pm – come whenever it suits you! Thursdays (check the latest dates on our website) Sign up at [www.kreativwerkstatt.design](http://www.kreativwerkstatt.design)

It all sounded straight forward. Then the project started... Join us for an informal evening with fellow Agile practitioners, Scrum Masters, project managers, coaches, and anyone working with change, delivery, or transformation. We’ll meet at a local pizzeria, have some good food, and talk about the things that usually come up once the theory meets reality — challenges, lessons learned, different approaches, and questions we’re still figuring out. Nothing formal, just a chance to exchange ideas, meet people from the community, and have interesting conversations. Because some of the best discussions don’t happen in meeting rooms. They happen in the second floor private room of a pizzeria. 🍕 **The venue:** Da Raffaele brings a slice of Naples to the heart of Zürich's Altstadt. Think 48-hour dough, a 500°C wood-fired oven, and an amazing pizza. Two minutes from Central, close to HB — easy for everyone coming from across the city or the S-Bahn.

**Got something you’re designing, experimenting with - or just looking to chat with other creatives?** **Then you’re invited to join us at sphères.** 🙂 We meet monthly to chat and connect in a relaxed, friendly setting. It’s a chance to meet new people, talk about what you’re working on, and be part of Zürich’s creative community - surrounded by like-minded people who just get it. PS: RSVPs are coming in from multiple platforms, which means the total number of sign-ups is likely higher than what you see here. 🥂 **Why swing by?** * Find new collaborators, clients, employers and friends * Swap ideas, get feedback, and share experiences * Meet in a cozy after-work drinks atmosphere * Join creatives from various fields and ages. 📍 **Where?** [sphères](https://share.google/iOZR7HY6DqyLDm2Kj), next to the Limmat river. \> Hardturmstrasse 66\, 8005 Zürich (Tram-Station Förrlibuckstrasse) ⏰ **When?** Every second Thursday of the month, starting at 6 PM / 18:00 Uhr 🔗 **Discord link** Get event reminders and connect with other members on Discord: ➡️ [discord.gg/PAyRBDhKkk](discord.gg/PAyRBDhKkk) —— **Who’s Visual Fields?** Visual Fields is a network of designers and creatives built for people to connect, support, and share with fellow experts. We have upcoming events in Zürich, Basel, and Luzern. [Check out upcoming events](https://www.visualfields.ch/) —— **Event policies** We have zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment. Be mindful not to make assumptions about gender, sexual orientation, or identity. Always ask for consent - for physical contact and work critique - and treat everyone and the space with respect. [All policies](https://experienc.es/policies) **Fine print (the friendly kind)** By joining, you agree that photos or videos taken at the event may be used by Visual Fields for promotional and communication purposes. See you soon!! 🤩

Join Voice Over Pros Of Ohio for an exciting morning of networking, and exploring opportunities in the world of voice acting. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for expanding your network, learning how to start a VO business, and for honing your skills. Connect with fellow voice actors and VO experts, that will help you succeed in your voice over business. This event will feature discussions on professional development, entrepreneurship in the voice over industry, with tips for navigating the world of voice acting. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from others, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and take your voice over career to the next level. Join us Saturday, March 28, from 10am - 12pm and learn how to start or grow your voice over business. Let your voice be heard! The $10 fee covers refreshments and door prizes.

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

**Confidence & Connection: Using Your Authentic Truth to Find Your People** Confidence isn’t just about believing in yourself, it’s about knowing where you belong and who you can grow alongside. In this April Confidence Lab Happy Hour, we’ll explore how living in your authentic truth helps you find your people, build meaningful collaborations, and create spaces where vulnerability is met with respect rather than risk. Together, we’ll reflect on what it looks like to advocate for yourself with clarity and care, and how confidence deepens when it’s rooted in connection rather than comparison. Featured speaker **Lachandra Baker**, founder of **[LBB Edutainment](https://www.lbbedutainment.com/)** and author of *Your Own Biggest Cheerleader*, will share reflections on authenticity, psychological safety, and the power of community over individual achievement. Drawing from personal stories—including the significance of turning 53—Lachandra will invite us into a conversation about showing up fully, being seen, and choosing relationships that support who you truly are. Expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere with space for reflection, shared insight, and intentional connection—plus drinks, light bites, and the kind of conversations that remind you you’re not meant to do this alone. Come as you are. Leave feeling clearer about your voice, your people, and the confidence that grows when both are aligned. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*