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 strategy, system architecture, and AI-driven process automation. Concurrently co-founder of ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, and lecturer at HWZ on Europe's first Bitcoin-only Executive Programme. Holds an Executive MBA in Management from HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich.
Professional Experience
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Led digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation programmes within ZVV.
- Owned the continued development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer interface — encompassing architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Played a key role in platform integrations, including SwissPass login and the national NOVA platform for public transport
- Shared responsibility for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Produced decision-support documentation and vendor evaluations for procurement processes
- Coordinated external development partners and steered AI-powered workflow automation initiatives
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Drove business-IT alignment to synchronise process and service management internally, with operational ownership of zvv.ch and eTicketing.
- Translated strategic requirements into action across IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Managed stakeholder relationships to streamline project communication; held budget and contract responsibility
- Developed and operated zvv.ch in a Product Owner capacity — from requirements clarification through concept design to testing
- Designed a customer-centricity strategy and defined and tracked KPIs for all implemented changes
- Introduced PDCA and Value Stream Mapping to optimise process flows
- Led technical project management for eTicketing: architecture, security, and operational requirements, as well as test management (concept, coordination, debugging with vendor, retesting)
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded and serves as Information Officer at ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.
- Built a portfolio of services encompassing Lightning Network node deployment, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows
- Positioned ALPA.one as a specialist provider of decentralised digital transaction solutions built on Bitcoin
- Advised clients on Bitcoin infrastructure, sovereign node operation, and Lightning payment integration
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Lecturer for the Lightning Network module of the CAS Bitcoin Economy — Europe's first Bitcoin-only Executive Programme.
- Taught the fundamentals of why Bitcoin Layer 1 alone does not scale and how Lightning enables instant payments without sacrificing sovereignty
- Delivered a hands-on session featuring LNHunt, a gamified Lightning scavenger hunt
- Provided an outlook on future developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further Lightning innovations
- Audience: senior executives and specialists participating in an executive continuing education programme
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), with a focus on Bitcoin adoption, public affairs, and legal matters.
- Contributed to public education initiatives to advance understanding of Bitcoin in Switzerland
- Supported the navigation of legal challenges surrounding Bitcoin at the national level
- Served as the organisation's media spokesperson
- Championed innovation and the development of an active Bitcoin ecosystem in Switzerland
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Advised on and implemented digital multi-channel strategies, as well as smart home and ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients.
- Planned and executed a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operational teams with the integration of complex smart home solutions
- Planned and implemented ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Headed web development with responsibility for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and both front-end and back-end development.
- Managed projects using agile and waterfall methodologies, including work breakdown planning, cost estimation, and resource and financial planning
- Conducted business analysis and authored technical specifications covering functional and non-functional client acceptance criteria
- Delivered front-end development using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; back-end development in JavaScript and PHP
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; modelled SQL databases
- Created HTML5 animations using Adobe Edge; produced object-oriented designs with UML, ERM, and sequence diagrams
- Executed module, integration, system, and user acceptance tests (UAT)
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad, and Facebook applications, and held responsibility for post-production workflows and IT infrastructure in film production.
- Developed websites and iPad and Facebook applications across the full software lifecycle — requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and documentation
- Created and optimised post-production workflows for film data processing and archiving
- Ensured data security and integrity throughout film production (D-IT)
- Planned and set up live streaming events technically, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure; supported the internal SAN network and managed offloading of production material via tape library
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and operated the service centre, with responsibility for IT consulting, network infrastructure, and client development.
- Planned and built custom PC systems and provided IT consulting for private and corporate clients
- Developed client-specific software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Planned and built corporate networks; installed and configured servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Delivered audio and video installations as well as corporate design services for clients, 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, with additional support for the marketing department.
- Installed and maintained workstations, peripheral devices, networks, and communications equipment
- Received, initially diagnosed, and advised on fault reports; maintained system documentation
- Delivered software training on business and photo applications
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for corporate clients; provided support to the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary assignment in the administrative function of an international law firm.
- Filed and archived business-critical documents
- Managed email archiving and carried out general administrative office duties
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Led digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation programmes within ZVV.
- Owned the continued development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer interface — encompassing architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Played a key role in platform integrations, including SwissPass login and the national NOVA platform for public transport
- Shared responsibility for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Produced decision-support documentation and vendor evaluations for procurement processes
- Coordinated external development partners and steered AI-powered workflow automation initiatives
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Drove business-IT alignment to synchronise process and service management internally, with operational ownership of zvv.ch and eTicketing.
- Translated strategic requirements into action across IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Managed stakeholder relationships to streamline project communication; held budget and contract responsibility
- Developed and operated zvv.ch in a Product Owner capacity — from requirements clarification through concept design to testing
- Designed a customer-centricity strategy and defined and tracked KPIs for all implemented changes
- Introduced PDCA and Value Stream Mapping to optimise process flows
- Led technical project management for eTicketing: architecture, security, and operational requirements, as well as test management (concept, coordination, debugging with vendor, retesting)
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded and serves as Information Officer at ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.
- Built a portfolio of services encompassing Lightning Network node deployment, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows
- Positioned ALPA.one as a specialist provider of decentralised digital transaction solutions built on Bitcoin
- Advised clients on Bitcoin infrastructure, sovereign node operation, and Lightning payment integration
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Lecturer for the Lightning Network module of the CAS Bitcoin Economy — Europe's first Bitcoin-only Executive Programme.
- Taught the fundamentals of why Bitcoin Layer 1 alone does not scale and how Lightning enables instant payments without sacrificing sovereignty
- Delivered a hands-on session featuring LNHunt, a gamified Lightning scavenger hunt
- Provided an outlook on future developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further Lightning innovations
- Audience: senior executives and specialists participating in an executive continuing education programme
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), with a focus on Bitcoin adoption, public affairs, and legal matters.
- Contributed to public education initiatives to advance understanding of Bitcoin in Switzerland
- Supported the navigation of legal challenges surrounding Bitcoin at the national level
- Served as the organisation's media spokesperson
- Championed innovation and the development of an active Bitcoin ecosystem in Switzerland
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
Digital Innovation Consultant
Tele Locher
Advised on and implemented digital multi-channel strategies, as well as smart home and ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients.
- Planned and executed a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported operational teams with the integration of complex smart home solutions
- Planned and implemented ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Headed web development with responsibility for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and both front-end and back-end development.
- Managed projects using agile and waterfall methodologies, including work breakdown planning, cost estimation, and resource and financial planning
- Conducted business analysis and authored technical specifications covering functional and non-functional client acceptance criteria
- Delivered front-end development using HTML5, Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; back-end development in JavaScript and PHP
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; modelled SQL databases
- Created HTML5 animations using Adobe Edge; produced object-oriented designs with UML, ERM, and sequence diagrams
- Executed module, integration, system, and user acceptance tests (UAT)
Jun 2010 – Dec 2013
Application Developer
Signorell GmbH
Developed websites, iPad, and Facebook applications, and held responsibility for post-production workflows and IT infrastructure in film production.
- Developed websites and iPad and Facebook applications across the full software lifecycle — requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and documentation
- Created and optimised post-production workflows for film data processing and archiving
- Ensured data security and integrity throughout film production (D-IT)
- Planned and set up live streaming events technically, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure; supported the internal SAN network and managed offloading of production material via tape library
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and operated the service centre, with responsibility for IT consulting, network infrastructure, and client development.
- Planned and built custom PC systems and provided IT consulting for private and corporate clients
- Developed client-specific software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Planned and built corporate networks; installed and configured servers (Wintel, Linux)
- Delivered audio and video installations as well as corporate design services for clients, 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, with additional support for the marketing department.
- Installed and maintained workstations, peripheral devices, networks, and communications equipment
- Received, initially diagnosed, and advised on fault reports; maintained system documentation
- Delivered software training on business and photo applications
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for corporate clients; provided support to the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary assignment in the administrative function of an international law firm.
- Filed and archived business-critical documents
- Managed email archiving and carried out general administrative office duties
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, 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