Marcel Rapold
IT Project Lead | Digital Platforms & AI Automation | EMBA
Erlenbach (Zürich), Zürich, Schweiz
IT Project Lead at Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV), responsible for digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation. Concurrently co-founder of ALPA.one, focused on Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, and lecturer at HWZ delivering the CAS Bitcoin Economy programme. Holds an Executive MBA in Management from HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich.
Professional Experience
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Leading digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation programmes within ZVV.
- Accountable for the ongoing development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer interface — covering architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Contributed to key platform integrations, including SwissPass login and the national NOVA public transport platform
- Co-responsible for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Produced procurement decision frameworks and conducted supplier evaluations
- Coordinated external development partners and steered AI-powered workflow automation initiatives
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business–IT alignment, strategic requirements management, and operational ownership of ZVV's web and eTicketing systems.
- Drove business–IT alignment to synchronise process and service management across the organisation
- Translated strategic requirements into actionable deliverables across IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Operated and continuously developed zvv.ch in a Product Owner capacity — from requirements definition and conceptual design through to testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy for new client onboarding, including definition and measurement of KPIs
- Applied PDCA cycles and Value Stream Mapping to optimise operational processes
- Provided technical project leadership for eTicketing: requirements management covering architecture, security, and operations, plus test management including coordination of test participants and supplier debugging
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network with services spanning node deployment, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows.
- Built and operated Lightning Network nodes for enterprise clients
- Developed Lightning payment systems enabling seamless digital transactions
- Designed and implemented custom Lightning workflows
- Established the company as a trusted technical partner for Bitcoin infrastructure and decentralised payment solutions
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Delivered the Lightning Network module within the CAS Bitcoin Economy at HWZ — Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive programme.
- Taught the scaling limitations of Bitcoin Layer 1 and the mechanics of the Lightning Network
- Ran a hands-on session featuring LNHunt — a gamified Lightning Network scavenger hunt format
- Covered real-world applications of wallets, nodes, and routing markets
- Provided an outlook on emerging developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further protocol innovations
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), active across public relations, legal affairs, and media communications to advance Bitcoin adoption in Switzerland.
- Co-shaped the association's strategy to promote Bitcoin adoption and public awareness
- Served as primary media contact and public representative for the organisation
- Addressed legal challenges within the Swiss Bitcoin ecosystem
- Contributed to educational initiatives and community-building activities
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Advised on and implemented digital multi-channel strategies, and integrated smart home and ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients.
- Planned and executed a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operational business units in integrating complex smart home solutions
- Planned and implemented ICT multimedia solutions for corporate clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Led web development operations with responsibility for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and the analysis, design, and programming of complex web projects.
- Delivered project management using both agile and waterfall methodologies, including structural, cost, schedule, resource, and financial planning
- Conducted requirements engineering: business analysis and creation of functional specifications with functional and non-functional acceptance criteria
- Produced technical specifications (application and system architecture, software requirements specification) and performed UML-based OO analysis and design
- Developed front-end solutions using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; back-end programming in PHP and JavaScript (OO); SQL database modelling
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; created HTML5 animations using Adobe Edge
- Managed key accounts: gathered requirements, delivered solution presentations, prepared proposals, and developed social media concepts
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad and Facebook applications, and held IT infrastructure responsibility within film production and digital archiving.
- Developed websites, iPad, and Facebook applications across the full software lifecycle — from requirements gathering and design through implementation, testing, and documentation
- Created and optimised post-production workflows within film production environments
- Ensured data security and integrity throughout film production (D-IT)
- Planned and set up technical infrastructure for live streaming events, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure and administered the internal SAN network
- Managed tape library-based offsite archiving of production material
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and operated a service centre focused on IT consulting, network planning, software development, and corporate design for private and business clients.
- Planned and built custom PC systems and provided IT consulting for private and corporate clients
- Developed bespoke software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Planned, developed, and configured corporate networks and servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Delivered audio and video installations for client projects
- Produced corporate design assets (logos, business cards, email signatures, websites) and conceived and built the corporate website for Tele Locher AG
May 2007 – Aug 2008
Service & Support Agent
Mister Q AG
Provided application and system support for Windows and Mac environments, and designed digital and print communications materials.
- Delivered application and system support (Windows and Mac): installation and maintenance of workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Received, pre-analysed, and advised on fault reports
- Conducted software training sessions covering business and photography applications
- Maintained system documentation for managed environments
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for corporate clients
- Supported the marketing department across various tasks
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary administrative role at an international law firm.
- Filed and archived business-critical documents
- Managed email archiving
- Carried out general administrative and office tasks
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Leading digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation programmes within ZVV.
- Accountable for the ongoing development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer interface — covering architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Contributed to key platform integrations, including SwissPass login and the national NOVA public transport platform
- Co-responsible for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Produced procurement decision frameworks and conducted supplier evaluations
- Coordinated external development partners and steered AI-powered workflow automation initiatives
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business–IT alignment, strategic requirements management, and operational ownership of ZVV's web and eTicketing systems.
- Drove business–IT alignment to synchronise process and service management across the organisation
- Translated strategic requirements into actionable deliverables across IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Operated and continuously developed zvv.ch in a Product Owner capacity — from requirements definition and conceptual design through to testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy for new client onboarding, including definition and measurement of KPIs
- Applied PDCA cycles and Value Stream Mapping to optimise operational processes
- Provided technical project leadership for eTicketing: requirements management covering architecture, security, and operations, plus test management including coordination of test participants and supplier debugging
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network with services spanning node deployment, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows.
- Built and operated Lightning Network nodes for enterprise clients
- Developed Lightning payment systems enabling seamless digital transactions
- Designed and implemented custom Lightning workflows
- Established the company as a trusted technical partner for Bitcoin infrastructure and decentralised payment solutions
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Delivered the Lightning Network module within the CAS Bitcoin Economy at HWZ — Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive programme.
- Taught the scaling limitations of Bitcoin Layer 1 and the mechanics of the Lightning Network
- Ran a hands-on session featuring LNHunt — a gamified Lightning Network scavenger hunt format
- Covered real-world applications of wallets, nodes, and routing markets
- Provided an outlook on emerging developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further protocol innovations
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), active across public relations, legal affairs, and media communications to advance Bitcoin adoption in Switzerland.
- Co-shaped the association's strategy to promote Bitcoin adoption and public awareness
- Served as primary media contact and public representative for the organisation
- Addressed legal challenges within the Swiss Bitcoin ecosystem
- Contributed to educational initiatives and community-building activities
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Advised on and implemented digital multi-channel strategies, and integrated smart home and ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients.
- Planned and executed a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operational business units in integrating complex smart home solutions
- Planned and implemented ICT multimedia solutions for corporate clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Led web development operations with responsibility for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and the analysis, design, and programming of complex web projects.
- Delivered project management using both agile and waterfall methodologies, including structural, cost, schedule, resource, and financial planning
- Conducted requirements engineering: business analysis and creation of functional specifications with functional and non-functional acceptance criteria
- Produced technical specifications (application and system architecture, software requirements specification) and performed UML-based OO analysis and design
- Developed front-end solutions using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; back-end programming in PHP and JavaScript (OO); SQL database modelling
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; created HTML5 animations using Adobe Edge
- Managed key accounts: gathered requirements, delivered solution presentations, prepared proposals, and developed social media concepts
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad and Facebook applications, and held IT infrastructure responsibility within film production and digital archiving.
- Developed websites, iPad, and Facebook applications across the full software lifecycle — from requirements gathering and design through implementation, testing, and documentation
- Created and optimised post-production workflows within film production environments
- Ensured data security and integrity throughout film production (D-IT)
- Planned and set up technical infrastructure for live streaming events, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure and administered the internal SAN network
- Managed tape library-based offsite archiving of production material
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and operated a service centre focused on IT consulting, network planning, software development, and corporate design for private and business clients.
- Planned and built custom PC systems and provided IT consulting for private and corporate clients
- Developed bespoke software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Planned, developed, and configured corporate networks and servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Delivered audio and video installations for client projects
- Produced corporate design assets (logos, business cards, email signatures, websites) and conceived and built the corporate website for Tele Locher AG
May 2007 – Aug 2008
Service & Support Agent
Mister Q AG
Provided application and system support for Windows and Mac environments, and designed digital and print communications materials.
- Delivered application and system support (Windows and Mac): installation and maintenance of workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Received, pre-analysed, and advised on fault reports
- Conducted software training sessions covering business and photography applications
- Maintained system documentation for managed environments
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for corporate clients
- Supported the marketing department across various tasks
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary administrative role at an international law firm.
- Filed and archived business-critical documents
- Managed email archiving
- Carried out general administrative and office tasks
Education
EMBA, Executive Master of Business Administration · in Management
Oct 2024 – May 2025HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Schweiz
HWZ International Management Program · in International Management
Mar 2025 – Mar 2025University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Charlottesville, VA, USA
Master of Advanced Studies · in Digital Business
Jan 2018 – Oct 2021HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Schweiz
Certificate of Advanced Studies · in Digital Finance
Jan 2019 – Nov 2019HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Schweiz
Certificate of Advanced Studies · in Digital Leadership
Jan 2018 – Feb 2019HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Schweiz
Certifications
Cloud Computing
Becoming a Thought Leader
Konfliktgespräche richtig führen
Grundlagen der Programmierung: Agile Softwareentwicklung
Grundkurs Einführung ins Projektmanagement