Marcel Rapold
IT Project Lead | Digital Platforms & AI Automation | EMBA
Zürich, Switzerland
IT Project Lead at Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV, responsible for the evolution of zvv.ch and leading digital platform initiatives including SwissPass and NOVA integrations, AI-enabled automation, and multi-touchpoint digital services. Co-Founder of ALPA.one, specializing in Bitcoin and Lightning Network infrastructure, and Lecturer for the Bitcoin & Lightning Network module at HWZ. Holds an EMBA from HWZ and a MAS in Digital Business.
Professional Experience
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Leads digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-enabled automation within ZVV.
- Responsible for the evolution of zvv.ch as ZVV's central digital customer interface, covering architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Contributed to major 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
- Prepared procurement-related decision bases and supplier evaluations
- Coordinated external development partners and AI-enabled workflow automation initiatives
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business-IT alignment owner for ZVV's web and eTicketing platforms, operating in a product owner and technical project management capacity.
- Business IT alignment for internal synchronization of process and service management
- Implementation of strategic requirements regarding IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Product owner role for zvv.ch: demand clarification, conception, coordination of development, and testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy for onboarding new customers; defined and measured KPIs for implemented changes
- Applied PDCA and value stream mapping to optimize process flows
- Technical project manager for eTicketing: architecture, security, operational requirements, and test management
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded ALPA.one, a Bitcoin and Lightning Network specialist firm offering node deployment, payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows.
- Specializes in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network with services including Lightning Network Node Deployment, Lightning Payment Systems, and Custom Lightning Workflows
- Builds infrastructure for seamless digital transactions leveraging Bitcoin Layer 2 capabilities
- Active contributor to the Swiss Bitcoin ecosystem through education, technical builds, and community leadership
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Taught the Lightning Network module in Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive program, the CAS Bitcoin Economy at HWZ.
- Covered why Bitcoin Layer 1 does not scale and how Lightning enables instant, sovereignty-preserving payments
- Delivered practical instruction on real-world wallets, nodes, and routing markets
- Ran a hands-on session with LNHunt, a gamified Lightning scavenger hunt
- Included a future outlook on NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and adjacent protocol developments
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Served on the board of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland, advancing Bitcoin education, legal advocacy, and media liaison activities.
- Contributed to the association's mission of enhancing public understanding of Bitcoin
- Supported innovation initiatives and fostered the Bitcoin ecosystem in Switzerland
- Engaged in legal challenge assessment and media liaison functions
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Planned and executed a digital multi-channel strategy and integrated ICT multimedia and Smart Home solutions for corporate clients.
- Planning and execution of a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operative business in integration of sophisticated Smart Home solutions
- Planning and implementation of ICT multimedia solutions for corporate clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Led project management, requirements engineering, key account management, and full-stack web development for complex client projects.
- Project management using agile and waterfall methods; structural planning, cost estimates, schedule, resource, and financial planning
- Business analysis for complex customer projects; created specifications with functional and non-functional acceptance criteria
- Object-oriented analysis and design using UML; created ERM, class, and sequence diagrams
- Front-end implementation using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; back-end development in JavaScript and PHP
- CMS module programming for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress
- SQL database modeling and implementation; HTML5 animations with Adobe Edge
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad, and Facebook applications while managing D-IT responsibilities for film production workflows.
- Development of websites, iPad, and Facebook applications across the full SW lifecycle: requirements capture, design, implementation, testing, and documentation
- Definition of new features with customers and their implementation
- Post-production workflow creation and optimization in film production
- Workflow optimizations in data storage, data processing, and data archiving
- Ensuring data security and integrity during film production (D-IT)
- Technical planning and installation of LiveStreaming events including integration into web applications
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Managed the service center with responsibility for IT consulting, network infrastructure, custom software development, and corporate design.
- Planning and construction of individual PC systems
- IT consulting for private and corporate clients
- Development of customer-specific software solutions in security and networking
- Planning and development of company networks; installation and configuration of servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Audio and video installations
- Corporate design for customers including logos, V-cards, signatures, and web pages
May 2007 – Aug 2008
Service & Support Agent
Mister Q AG
Provided application and system support across Windows and Mac environments alongside marketing and design support.
- Application and system support (Windows and Mac); installation and maintenance of workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Receipt, preliminary analysis, and advisory handling of fault messages
- Software training in business and photo software
- Design of websites, newsletters, and print products for corporate customers
- Support in the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Short-term administrative role covering document management and e-mail archiving.
- Filing and archiving of business-relevant documents
- E-mail archiving
- General administrative office work
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Leads digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-enabled automation within ZVV.
- Responsible for the evolution of zvv.ch as ZVV's central digital customer interface, covering architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Contributed to major 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
- Prepared procurement-related decision bases and supplier evaluations
- Coordinated external development partners and AI-enabled workflow automation initiatives
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business-IT alignment owner for ZVV's web and eTicketing platforms, operating in a product owner and technical project management capacity.
- Business IT alignment for internal synchronization of process and service management
- Implementation of strategic requirements regarding IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Product owner role for zvv.ch: demand clarification, conception, coordination of development, and testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy for onboarding new customers; defined and measured KPIs for implemented changes
- Applied PDCA and value stream mapping to optimize process flows
- Technical project manager for eTicketing: architecture, security, operational requirements, and test management
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded ALPA.one, a Bitcoin and Lightning Network specialist firm offering node deployment, payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows.
- Specializes in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network with services including Lightning Network Node Deployment, Lightning Payment Systems, and Custom Lightning Workflows
- Builds infrastructure for seamless digital transactions leveraging Bitcoin Layer 2 capabilities
- Active contributor to the Swiss Bitcoin ecosystem through education, technical builds, and community leadership
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Taught the Lightning Network module in Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive program, the CAS Bitcoin Economy at HWZ.
- Covered why Bitcoin Layer 1 does not scale and how Lightning enables instant, sovereignty-preserving payments
- Delivered practical instruction on real-world wallets, nodes, and routing markets
- Ran a hands-on session with LNHunt, a gamified Lightning scavenger hunt
- Included a future outlook on NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and adjacent protocol developments
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Served on the board of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland, advancing Bitcoin education, legal advocacy, and media liaison activities.
- Contributed to the association's mission of enhancing public understanding of Bitcoin
- Supported innovation initiatives and fostered the Bitcoin ecosystem in Switzerland
- Engaged in legal challenge assessment and media liaison functions
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Planned and executed a digital multi-channel strategy and integrated ICT multimedia and Smart Home solutions for corporate clients.
- Planning and execution of a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operative business in integration of sophisticated Smart Home solutions
- Planning and implementation of ICT multimedia solutions for corporate clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Led project management, requirements engineering, key account management, and full-stack web development for complex client projects.
- Project management using agile and waterfall methods; structural planning, cost estimates, schedule, resource, and financial planning
- Business analysis for complex customer projects; created specifications with functional and non-functional acceptance criteria
- Object-oriented analysis and design using UML; created ERM, class, and sequence diagrams
- Front-end implementation using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; back-end development in JavaScript and PHP
- CMS module programming for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress
- SQL database modeling and implementation; HTML5 animations with Adobe Edge
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad, and Facebook applications while managing D-IT responsibilities for film production workflows.
- Development of websites, iPad, and Facebook applications across the full SW lifecycle: requirements capture, design, implementation, testing, and documentation
- Definition of new features with customers and their implementation
- Post-production workflow creation and optimization in film production
- Workflow optimizations in data storage, data processing, and data archiving
- Ensuring data security and integrity during film production (D-IT)
- Technical planning and installation of LiveStreaming events including integration into web applications
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Managed the service center with responsibility for IT consulting, network infrastructure, custom software development, and corporate design.
- Planning and construction of individual PC systems
- IT consulting for private and corporate clients
- Development of customer-specific software solutions in security and networking
- Planning and development of company networks; installation and configuration of servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Audio and video installations
- Corporate design for customers including logos, V-cards, signatures, and web pages
May 2007 – Aug 2008
Service & Support Agent
Mister Q AG
Provided application and system support across Windows and Mac environments alongside marketing and design support.
- Application and system support (Windows and Mac); installation and maintenance of workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Receipt, preliminary analysis, and advisory handling of fault messages
- Software training in business and photo software
- Design of websites, newsletters, and print products for corporate customers
- Support in the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Short-term administrative role covering document management and e-mail archiving.
- Filing and archiving of business-relevant documents
- E-mail archiving
- General administrative office work
Education
EMBA — Executive Master of Business Administration in Management · in Management
Oct 2024 – May 2025HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland · Six strategic clusters: Dealing with the Unknown Future, Utilizing New Technologies, Crafting Strategic Power, Developing Organizational Capabilities, Strengthening Leadership, Outperforming in Marketing & CRM.
HWZ International Management Program · in Strategic Management
Mar 2025 – Mar 2025University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Charlottesville, VA, USA · Intensive international module analyzing strategic challenges of global companies including Porsche, Netflix, Unilever, and Merck.
Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Digital Business · in Digital Business
Jan 2018 – Oct 2021HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland · Strategic design of digital transformations at corporate and leadership level.
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Digital Finance · in Digital Finance & Blockchain
Jan 2019 – Nov 2019HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland · Focus on blockchain-based innovations and their potential to transform financial value chains.
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Digital Leadership · in Digital Leadership & Transformation
Jan 2018 – Feb 2019HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland · Competencies in platform strategies, digital business models, agile organizations, data thinking, and transformation leadership.
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Disruptive Technologies · in Technology Strategy & Innovation
Jan 2017 – Feb 2018HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland · Topics: Big Data, Data Science, Swarm Intelligence, Digital Security, Wearable Technologies, Quantum Computing, and 3D Printing.
Business Data Processing Specialist with Bachelor Degree (dipl. Wirtschaftsinformatiker HF) · in Business Informatics
Jan 2013 – Jan 2016ipso Bildung
Zürich, Switzerland · Analysis, design, and implementation of digital solutions along operational business processes (marketing, production, HR, sales).
Certifications
Certified Crypto Finance Expert (CCFE)
CCFE — Certified Crypto Finance Expert
IREB Requirements Engineering
IREB GmbH
IBAE Business Analyst
International Business Analyst Education
Business English Certificate B2
Cambridge Assessment English
Cloud Computing
EXIN your ICT competence partner
Win11 & Office 365 — Basisschulung für Anwender (ZVV enterprise rollout)
Digicomp Academy
Compliance eLearning für Kader- und Führungskräfte
Volkswirtschaftsdirektion Kanton Zürich
Digital Transformation
Digitale Transformation im Unternehmen
Projektmanagement: Planung und Strukturierung
Projektmanagement: Initiierung und Setup
Einführung ins Projektmanagement
Berufsbild: Projektmanagement
Blockchain Basics
Grundlagen der Programmierung: Agile Softwareentwicklung
Das 80/20-Prinzip
GoodHabitz
Leadership
GoodHabitz
Becoming a Thought Leader
Konfliktgespräche richtig führen
Reden, Vortrag, Präsentation: Die magische erste Minute