Claudio Menz
Strategic Futurist • Venture Builder • Ecosystem Orchestrator
We help organizations break free from incremental thinking and step into exponential transformation. Through anticipatory thinking, we enable leaders to see beyond today's constraints. At the intersection of foresight, purpose, and execution, we turn strategy into market-ready ventures backed by a world-class global network.
The Journey
For over 25 years, I've worked at the gap between what organizations know and what they need to become. Most strategic planning extrapolates from today. I start in 2035 and work backwards.
I don't do the work for you—I enable you to do it yourself. Your talent knows your business infinitely better than any consultant. My role is to develop Anticipatory Leadership, activate their capabilities, and orchestrate the world-class network they need to build exponential organizations.
Anticipatory Leadership is the foundation. Organizations that master seeing emerging futures can act today to shape tomorrow. Combined with purpose transformation, they know WHY they exist, WHERE to invest, and HOW to compete exponentially.
Through my work with GESDA, I help organizations connect with breakthrough science intelligence from 2,600+ leading scientists. Through my venture building network, I bring design thinking, rapid prototyping, and corporate venture building expertise. Through the PHI methodology, I help organizations answer the fundamental questions that make purpose real.
The result? Exponential organizations with Anticipatory Leadership— teams that know where to invest, how to compete, why they exist, and how to execute breakthrough innovation at speed.
From Engineering to Luxury to Ventures
Track Record
Large-Scale Engineering
Led €30M+ projects across US, Europe, and Asia. Built and commissioned production systems with cross-functional teams—from engineering through startup to operational handover.
Brand Building Mastery
Procter & Gamble-trained marketing excellence in FMCG. Led high-end luxury brands including Dunhill and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Built brands that command premium positioning and customer loyalty.
Global Commercial Leadership
Global Sales Director Firmenich, running global B2B key account operations for Unilever. Founded and scaled luxury startup with Asia expansion. Proven commercial acumen across geographies and business models.
Startup Ecosystem Authority
Judge for Switzerland's largest and most prestigious startup competition. Strategic Consultant to GESDA. Deep network across corporate innovation and venture building.
Network & Credentials
Certifications
- • B-Leader Certified (B Lab Switzerland)
- • Startup Board Academy Graduate
- • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
- • Engineering (RWTH Aachen University)
Ecosystem Leadership
- • >>venture>> - Judge
- • Solar Impulse Foundation - Expert
- • EPFL - Mentor & Coach
- • Startups - Coaching across Switzerland
- • IMD Alumni Club Lausanne - Committee
- • IMD Entrepreneurship Community - Leadteam
- • Investor - Various ventures
Global Reach
- • Switzerland, Europe, USA network
- • Languages: German (native), English (fluent), French (professional)
- • Based in Zug & Lausanne, Switzerland
Zug & Lausanne, Switzerland
We help organizations develop anticipatory thinking capabilities to build exponential organizations. By teaching teams to see emerging futures and act on them today, we enable sustainable competitive advantage through purpose-driven transformation and world-class execution networks.
Core Focus:
- • Anticipatory thinking development
- • Exponential organization design
- • Purpose transformation & strategic foresight
- • Corporate venture building & ecosystem orchestration
Swiss bespoke ski brand offering handcrafted custom skis. What was once available only to professional athletes is now accessible to all passionate skiers who demand the ultimate in personalized performance.
"VALAI Ski demonstrates venture building in action—from concept through market launch to scaled reality. Every ski is unique, built to the exact specifications and style of its owner."
Unique Positioning: Bringing pro-level craftsmanship to passionate skiers worldwide
Trusted by World-Class Organizations
Over 25+ years, I've partnered with industry leaders across luxury, consumer goods, engineering, and technology sectors:
From €30M+ engineering projects to luxury brand leadership to venture building— proven execution across industries and geographies.
From Strategy to Market-Ready Ventures
Strategy becomes reality through our three-step transformation methodology. We activate a network of world-class partners across Switzerland, Europe, and the USA to turn anticipatory thinking into exponential growth—at startup speed with corporate scale.
Ignite
- •Leadership workshops and presentations
- •Exposure to emerging futures
- •Build transformation mandate
Sprint
- •Strategic foresight workshops
- •Purpose transformation development
- •Design thinking and rapid prototyping
- •Opportunity identification and prioritization
Incubate
- •Build internal incubators (or external)
- •MVP development with real customers
- •Market launch with startup network
- •Scale, back-integrate, or JV spin-off
"I've built €30M+ production systems, launched luxury brands globally, and led my own startup. I know what it takes to execute—and I bring the network to make it happen."
Working with GESDA
As a strategic consultant to GESDA, I help organizations apply breakthrough science intelligence and the PHI methodology to their strategic foresight work.
GESDA convenes 2,600+ of the world's leading scientists to map emerging breakthroughs in AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, climate technologies, and more. Their publicly available Science Breakthrough Radar provides 5-10-25 year foresight on technological possibilities.
Multi-Layered Foresight Approach
GESDA's Science Radar is a starting point. For proper strategic foresight, I overlay three critical layers:
- • Science & Technology Breakthrough Radar - What's scientifically possible
- • Trends Radar - Societal, economic, and market shifts
- • Customer Segmentation Insights - Your specific market dynamics
This multi-radar approach reveals opportunity areas and generates specific innovation ideas and new business models unique to your organization.
We don't know the future—but we can invest strategically in likely outcomes. This approach helps organizations open exponential business potential while protecting against competitive disruption.
The Planetarised Humanity Initiative (PHI)
GESDA's PHI methodology addresses three fundamental questions:
- • Who are we as humans?
- • How do we organize our societies?
- • How do we ensure planetary wellbeing?
I help organizations translate these questions into corporate strategy—building purpose-driven competitive advantage while addressing humanity's greatest challenges.
Ready to Accelerate?
Let's discuss how foresight strategy, purpose transformation, and startup ecosystem integration can propel your organization forward.
Alternative Contact
c.menz@gobespoke.ch
Connect with me
Location
Zug & Lausanne, Switzerland
Serving organizations globally
What Happens Next?
- 1.We'll review your message within 24 hours
- 2.We'll schedule an initial conversation
- 3.Together, we'll explore how to accelerate your transformation