From Classroom to Company: EMBA Peers Shape BitStone’s Swiss Future
Success stories from the UZH EMBA in Digital Transformation often follow a familiar pattern: new skills, fresh perspectives, and a career boost. But sometimes, the journey takes an unexpected turn. This is the story of Grigore Vlad and Andreas Götz, two participants in different cohorts, whose paths crossed in a classroom and led to a partnership reshaping both their careers and a company’s future.
Grigore is no stranger to bold moves. A passionate programmer, pilot, associate professor, and start-up investor, he has spent nearly two decades building BitStone. Founded in Romania, the software development company now counts 100 engineers in Cluj-Napoca and has maintained a 15-year presence in Switzerland. In 2024, Grigore enrolled in the English-language EMBA cohort in Zurich, eager to broaden his vision and take BitStone to the next level.
At the same time, Andreas, an entrepreneurial leader with three decades in technology and business – and a personal flair for vintage cars – joined the German-language cohort. His goal was clear: expand his professional toolkit and apply new insights to the corporate world. But the EMBA had other plans for him.
The two first met during the International Management module. Grigore was struck by the idea, shared in class, that local presence is key for international companies seeking growth. He began reflecting on how BitStone might deepen its Swiss footprint and, encouraged by classmates, sought out Andreas to exchange ideas.
Andreas, meanwhile, was going through his own rethinking. Inspired by modules from leadership to international business, he realized that to truly put new concepts into practice, he might need a new environment. What began as conversations after class gradually turned into a months-long dialogue. Over coffee, in hallways, and finally over a drink in a quintessentially Swiss café, the two shook hands on a new venture: Andreas would become CEO and co-owner of BitStone (Schweiz) AG.
“BitStone offered me a distinct opportunity,” Andreas reflects. “My background spans management and IT consulting, business development and strategic account leadership. Here, I can help build something meaningful from the ground up.”
Grigore explains, “We’ve grown BitStone through reputation and trust, delivering over 50 digital transformation projects in Switzerland; now, with Andreas leading our Swiss presence, we can strengthen client relationships with faster response times and on-site expertise.”
Andreas adds, “For me, this is a chance to build, to deliver measurable outcomes with local accountability, backed by our teams in Cluj-Napoca.”
The story of Grigore and Andreas is more than a tale of business synergy; it’s a testament to the EMBA as a catalyst not only for corporate careers but also for entrepreneurship. Their smiles today reflect not just personal success, but the trust of clients and the promise of what’s still to come.