Chief Executive Officer

CEO & Late Co-Founder | Deep Tech | B2BZurich, Switzerland | Full-time | Regular on-site presenceBuild the next chapter of AlivionAlivion is an ETH Zurich spin-off developing compact molecular sensing systems that bring reliable chemical analysis out of the laboratory and into real-world applications.We have developed and validated our SmartSelect® technology platform, brought our first products to market, generated initial revenues and secured our first industrial B2B collaboration.We are now looking for an entrepreneurial CEO & Late Co-Founder to take full operational ownership of Alivion and turn this technological foundation into a successful, scalable B2B company.This is not a conventional corporate CEO position. We are looking for someone who wants to build a business, personally drive commercial opportunities and take significant responsibility for its success. In return, you will have the opportunity to shape the company and participate meaningfully in the value you create.Your missionOver the next 2–3 years, you will lead Alivion through its next stage of commercial development, with three priorities:1. Build and close B2B businessIdentify and prioritize commercially attractive applications for our sensing platform.Build relationships with industrial customers and strategic partners.Personally drive key opportunities from first discussions through negotiation to signed, paid agreements.Develop scalable commercial models through development partnerships, OEM integration, licensing and royalties.2. Lead the companyTake full responsibility for Alivion's operational management.Lead and develop a small, highly technical team.Set clear priorities, make decisions and ensure execution.Stay directly involved in the business rather than managing through organizational layers.3. Secure financing for growthLead fundraising activities together with the Board.Build new investor relationships and communicate Alivion's commercial potential convincingly.Manage resources and cash with strong financial discipline.What you must bringWe will only consider candidates who meet the following essential criteria:Proven B2B commercial execution: You have personally developed and successfully closed complex B2B deals, commercial partnerships or comparable customer agreements. You can demonstrate your individual contribution and concrete results.Entrepreneurial ownership: You have built businesses, commercial activities or new ventures with significant personal responsibility. You are comfortable taking decisions, accepting uncertainty and being accountable for outcomes.Hands-on leadership: You can lead a small team, set direction and drive execution without relying on an established corporate structure or extensive support functions.Commercial and financial judgment: You can evaluate business opportunities, negotiate with senior decision-makers and communicate convincingly with customers, partners and investors.Commitment to the start-up journey: You genuinely want the responsibility and risk of building an early-stage company and are comfortable with a start-up CEO salary combined with significant equity participation.Location and availability: You are based in the Zurich area or willing to relocate, can work regularly on-site with the team and are available for international business travel.Experience in deep tech, industrial technology, instrumentation, sensors, hardware or other technology-intensive B2B industries is a strong advantage.Previous CEO experience is not required. You might currently be a founder, commercial director, head of business development, general manager or business unit leader ready for the next entrepreneurial step.We care more about what you have personally built and achieved than your previous title, academic credentials or years of experience.What we offerYou will not be starting from scratch. Alivion already has a validated technology platform, existing products and intellectual property, initial revenues, an industrial B2B partnership and a capable technical team.At the same time, the company is still early enough for you to fundamentally shape its commercial future.You will work directly with the founders and Board, with full operational responsibility and considerable freedom to build the business.The compensation combines a start-up CEO salary with substantial equity participation, reflecting our ambition to bring in a genuine late co-founder rather than a conventional employee-CEO.Interested?If you have a demonstrated track record of turning B2B opportunities into commercial agreements and are ready to take entrepreneurial responsibility for building a deep-tech company, we would like to hear from you.Please include a brief explanation of:One relevant B2B deal or commercial partnership you personally developed and closed, including your specific contribution.Why you are interested in joining an early-stage company as CEO & Late Co-Founder.We are particularly interested in concrete achievements and your entrepreneurial motivation, not generic cover letters.