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, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. Holds an EMBA 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 at ZVV.
- Accountable for the ongoing development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer experience — encompassing architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Made significant contributions to platform integrations including SwissPass login and the national NOVA public transport platform
- Shared responsibility for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Produced decision-support documentation and vendor assessments for procurement processes
- Coordinated external development partners and initiated and steered AI-powered workflow automation projects
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business-IT alignment as well as the operation and continuous development of the digital platform zvv.ch and the eTicketing system.
- Drove business-IT alignment to synchronise internal process and service management, and translated strategic requirements into IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Managed stakeholder relationships to optimise project communication processes; held full budget and contract responsibility
- Steered the ongoing development of zvv.ch in the Product Owner role — from requirements gathering through concept design to testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy for new client onboarding; defined and tracked KPIs for implemented changes
- Introduced PDCA and value-stream mapping to streamline process workflows
- Provided technical project leadership in the eTicketing domain: covering architecture, security and operational requirements, test management, performance monitoring, and vendor governance
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founder and Information Officer at ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.
- Built and operated service offerings around Lightning Network node deployment, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows
- Developed bespoke digital transaction solutions based on the Lightning Network for enterprise clients
- Positioned ALPA.one as a Bitcoin-first technology provider in the Swiss market
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Lecturer for the Lightning Network module in Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive programme, the CAS Bitcoin Economy at HWZ.
- Taught the fundamentals of why Bitcoin Layer 1 alone does not scale and how the Lightning Network enables instant payments without sacrificing sovereignty
- Covered real-world wallets, nodes, and routing markets in a practical context
- Delivered a hands-on session featuring LNHunt, a gamified Lightning Network scavenger hunt
- Provided an outlook on future developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further protocol innovations
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), active in Bitcoin adoption, public relations, and legal affairs.
- Co-shaped the association's strategy to advance Bitcoin adoption in Switzerland
- Engaged in public relations, education, and served as a media contact for Bitcoin-related topics
- Addressed legal challenges surrounding Bitcoin within the Swiss regulatory context
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Consulting and implementation of digital multi-channel strategies, as well as the integration of smart home and ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients.
- Planned and implemented a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operational business in the integration of sophisticated smart home solutions
- Planned and implemented ICT multimedia solutions for corporate clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Led web development with responsibility for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and both frontend and backend development.
- Delivered project management using agile and waterfall methodologies, including work breakdown structures, cost estimates, and scheduling, resource, and financial planning
- Conducted business analysis and authored functional specifications with defined client acceptance criteria covering functional and non-functional requirements
- Produced application and system architectures, prototypes, and proof-of-concepts; applied object-oriented analysis and design using UML, ERM, class, and sequence diagrams
- Developed frontends using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; implemented object-oriented programming in JavaScript and PHP; modelled SQL databases
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; created HTML5 animations with Adobe Edge
- Executed module, integration, system, and user acceptance testing
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad and Facebook applications, and provided technical management of IT infrastructure within the film and media production sector.
- 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 in film production; ensured data security and integrity (D-IT)
- Technically planned and delivered live-streaming events, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure; administered the internal SAN network and managed tape library outsourcing
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and led the service centre with a focus on IT consulting, network planning, and bespoke software development.
- Planned and assembled custom PC systems and provided IT consulting for private and business clients
- Developed client-specific software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Planned, installed, and configured enterprise networks and servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Delivered audio and video installations as well as corporate design projects including logos, business cards, email signatures, and websites
- Planned, conceived, and realised 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 created digital and print media.
- Delivered application and system support for Windows and Mac; installed and maintained workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Received, pre-analysed, and advised on fault reports; maintained system documentation
- Conducted software training in business and photo applications
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for corporate clients; supported the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary assignment in an administrative capacity, focused on document management and email archiving.
- Filed and archived business-relevant documents
- Carried out email archiving and general administrative office tasks
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Leading digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation programmes at ZVV.
- Accountable for the ongoing development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer experience — encompassing architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Made significant contributions to platform integrations including SwissPass login and the national NOVA public transport platform
- Shared responsibility for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Produced decision-support documentation and vendor assessments for procurement processes
- Coordinated external development partners and initiated and steered AI-powered workflow automation projects
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business-IT alignment as well as the operation and continuous development of the digital platform zvv.ch and the eTicketing system.
- Drove business-IT alignment to synchronise internal process and service management, and translated strategic requirements into IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Managed stakeholder relationships to optimise project communication processes; held full budget and contract responsibility
- Steered the ongoing development of zvv.ch in the Product Owner role — from requirements gathering through concept design to testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy for new client onboarding; defined and tracked KPIs for implemented changes
- Introduced PDCA and value-stream mapping to streamline process workflows
- Provided technical project leadership in the eTicketing domain: covering architecture, security and operational requirements, test management, performance monitoring, and vendor governance
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founder and Information Officer at ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.
- Built and operated service offerings around Lightning Network node deployment, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows
- Developed bespoke digital transaction solutions based on the Lightning Network for enterprise clients
- Positioned ALPA.one as a Bitcoin-first technology provider in the Swiss market
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Lecturer for the Lightning Network module in Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive programme, the CAS Bitcoin Economy at HWZ.
- Taught the fundamentals of why Bitcoin Layer 1 alone does not scale and how the Lightning Network enables instant payments without sacrificing sovereignty
- Covered real-world wallets, nodes, and routing markets in a practical context
- Delivered a hands-on session featuring LNHunt, a gamified Lightning Network scavenger hunt
- Provided an outlook on future developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further protocol innovations
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), active in Bitcoin adoption, public relations, and legal affairs.
- Co-shaped the association's strategy to advance Bitcoin adoption in Switzerland
- Engaged in public relations, education, and served as a media contact for Bitcoin-related topics
- Addressed legal challenges surrounding Bitcoin within the Swiss regulatory context
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Consulting and implementation of digital multi-channel strategies, as well as the integration of smart home and ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients.
- Planned and implemented a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operational business in the integration of sophisticated smart home solutions
- Planned and implemented ICT multimedia solutions for corporate clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Led web development with responsibility for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and both frontend and backend development.
- Delivered project management using agile and waterfall methodologies, including work breakdown structures, cost estimates, and scheduling, resource, and financial planning
- Conducted business analysis and authored functional specifications with defined client acceptance criteria covering functional and non-functional requirements
- Produced application and system architectures, prototypes, and proof-of-concepts; applied object-oriented analysis and design using UML, ERM, class, and sequence diagrams
- Developed frontends using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; implemented object-oriented programming in JavaScript and PHP; modelled SQL databases
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; created HTML5 animations with Adobe Edge
- Executed module, integration, system, and user acceptance testing
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad and Facebook applications, and provided technical management of IT infrastructure within the film and media production sector.
- 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 in film production; ensured data security and integrity (D-IT)
- Technically planned and delivered live-streaming events, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure; administered the internal SAN network and managed tape library outsourcing
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and led the service centre with a focus on IT consulting, network planning, and bespoke software development.
- Planned and assembled custom PC systems and provided IT consulting for private and business clients
- Developed client-specific software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Planned, installed, and configured enterprise networks and servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Delivered audio and video installations as well as corporate design projects including logos, business cards, email signatures, and websites
- Planned, conceived, and realised 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 created digital and print media.
- Delivered application and system support for Windows and Mac; installed and maintained workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Received, pre-analysed, and advised on fault reports; maintained system documentation
- Conducted software training in business and photo applications
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for corporate clients; supported the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary assignment in an administrative capacity, focused on document management and email archiving.
- Filed and archived business-relevant documents
- Carried out email archiving and general administrative 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
Virginia, 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