EP #538 - Panagiotis Martakis: Scaling Deep Tech in Switzerland Without Losing Focus
JAN 7, 202636 MIN
EP #538 - Panagiotis Martakis: Scaling Deep Tech in Switzerland Without Losing Focus
JAN 7, 202636 MIN
Description
<p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p><br /></p><p>7:06 - What Irmos does</p><p>16:13 - The information gap that Irmos is solving for</p><p>22:51 - Why Irmos delayed raising a large financing round</p><p>31:53 - What’s next for Irmos</p><p><br /></p><p>This episode was co-produced with <a href="https://www.kickfund.ch/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">KickFund</a>, a VC fund investing in the most promising Swiss deeptech startups.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Episode Summary:</strong></p><p><br /></p><p>In this episode we sit down with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/panagiotis-martakis-707b9010b/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Panagiotis Martakis</a>, Founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.irmos-tech.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Irmos Technologies</a>, a Swiss startup using data-driven monitoring to protect and extend the lifetime of critical infrastructure. Trained as a civil engineer, Panos transitioned from traditional structural engineering into sensing, data, and predictive maintenance through research at ETH Zurich, where the foundations of Irmos were built.</p><p><br /></p><p>Panos shares how his work in the critical infrastructure sector operates in slow-moving, highly regulated markets where trust, references, and execution matter more than speed. Panos shares why Irmos deliberately delayed raising a large funding round, how the Swiss startup ecosystem supports founders at early stages, and why focus is a decisive advantage when resources are limited.</p><p><br /></p><p>Panos goes deeper into the realities of building a hardware and data-driven company: reducing uncertainty in engineering decisions, moving from gut-feeling inspections to measurable risk at portfolio level, and narrowing focus after an initial phase of experimentation. He reflects on fundraising timing, working with public-sector clients, learning from Founder networks, and the long-term vision of turning infrastructure monitoring into a scalable, data-powered standard.</p><p><br /></p><p>The cover portrait was edited by <a href="http://www.smartportrait.io/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.smartportrait.io</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>Don’t forget to give us a follow on<a href="https://x.com/swisspreneur" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/swisspreneur/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/swisspreneur" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong></strong></a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/swisspreneur" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Linkedin</strong></a>,<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@swisspreneur" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> TikTok</strong></a>, and<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Swisspreneur" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> Youtube </strong></a>so you can always stay up to date with our latest initiatives. That way, there’s no excuse for missing out on live shows, weekly giveaways or founders' dinners.</p><p></p><p><br /></p>