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, AI-driven automation, and the ongoing development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer interface. Concurrently Co-Founder of ALPA.one, focused on Bitcoin and Lightning Network infrastructure, and lecturer in the CAS Bitcoin Economy programme at HWZ. Holds an Executive MBA in Management (HWZ) and a Master of Advanced Studies in Digital Business.
Professional Experience
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Leads digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation at ZVV.
- Drives the ongoing development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer interface, with ownership of architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Contributes to key platform integrations, including SwissPass login and the national NOVA public transport network platform
- Shares responsibility for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Prepares procurement decision documents and supplier evaluations
- Coordinates external development partners and steers AI-powered workflow automation initiatives
- Owns the strategic direction and quality assurance of ZVV's digital platform landscape
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business-IT alignment, operational ownership and further development of zvv.ch, and technical project management in eTicketing.
- Drove business-IT alignment to synchronise internal process and service management, translating strategic requirements into IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Coordinated web development for zvv.ch in a Product Owner capacity, from requirements clarification through concept design to testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy to drive successful onboarding of new customers, including definition and measurement of KPIs
- Implemented PDCA methodology and value stream mapping to optimise process flows
- Led technical project management in eTicketing: defined architecture, security, and operational requirements; managed testing (concept, coordination, debugging with suppliers, retesting)
- Ensured uninterrupted operations at hosting and infrastructure level, including performance monitoring and supplier management
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and Lightning Network infrastructure and digital transaction solutions.
- Built and operates Lightning Network node deployments, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows
- Positioned ALPA.one as a Bitcoin-native service provider with a focus on sovereign, decentralised infrastructure
- Holds responsibility for information and technology strategy across the organisation
- Develops solutions for seamless digital transactions built on the Lightning Network
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Lecturer in the Lightning Network module of the CAS Bitcoin Economy — Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive programme at HWZ.
- Teaches the fundamentals and limitations of Bitcoin Layer 1 and the rationale for Layer 2 solutions to achieve scalability
- Explains how the Lightning Network works: instant payments, sovereignty, wallets, nodes, and routing markets
- Delivers a hands-on session featuring LNHunt — a gamified Lightning Network scavenger hunt format
- Provides an outlook on future developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further Layer 2 innovations
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), active in education, legal affairs, and public relations.
- Contributes to shaping BAS's strategic direction to promote Bitcoin adoption in Switzerland
- Engages in public relations and serves as a media spokesperson on Bitcoin-related topics
- Supports the organisation in addressing legal challenges surrounding Bitcoin in Switzerland
- Champions educational initiatives to improve public understanding of Bitcoin
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 implemented a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported day-to-day operations in the integration of sophisticated smart home solutions
- Planned and deployed ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Responsible for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and front-end and back-end development across complex client projects.
- Managed projects using both agile and waterfall methodologies, including structural planning, cost estimation, and scheduling, resource, and financial planning
- Identified, assessed, and mitigated risks; authored requirements specifications with defined client acceptance criteria
- Conducted business analysis, produced functional specifications, and performed object-oriented analysis and design using UML (ERM, class, and sequence diagrams)
- Developed front-end solutions using HTML5/Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; built back-end systems in PHP and JavaScript; modelled SQL databases
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; created HTML5 animations using 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 owned post-production workflows and live streaming infrastructure.
- Developed websites and iPad and Facebook applications across the full software lifecycle (requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, documentation)
- Created and optimised post-production workflows for film production, covering data storage, processing, and archiving
- Ensured data security and integrity throughout film production as Digital Imaging Technician (D-IT)
- Planned and deployed technical infrastructure for live streaming events, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure; supported the internal SAN network and managed backup and offsite storage of production material via tape library
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and operated the service centre, encompassing IT consulting, network planning, server installation, and bespoke software development for clients.
- Planned and built custom PC systems; delivered IT consulting for private and business clients
- Developed bespoke software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Designed and built corporate networks; installed and configured servers (Wintel and Linux)
- Carried out audio and video installations; produced corporate design assets for clients (logos, business cards, email signatures, websites)
- Planned, conceptualised, and delivered the corporate website for Tele Locher AG
May 2007 – Aug 2008
Service & Support Agent
Mister Q AG
Provided application and system support alongside web design and marketing assistance for business clients.
- Delivered application and system support for Windows and Mac environments; installed and maintained workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Received, triaged, and advised on incident reports
- Conducted software training in office and photo applications; maintained system documentation
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for business clients; supported the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary administrative role within the law firm.
- Filed and archived business-relevant documents
- Managed email archiving and carried out general administrative office tasks
Jan 2022
Information Technology Project Lead
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Leads digital platform initiatives, strategic IT projects, and AI-driven automation at ZVV.
- Drives the ongoing development of zvv.ch as the central digital customer interface, with ownership of architecture, hosting, release management, and quality assurance
- Contributes to key platform integrations, including SwissPass login and the national NOVA public transport network platform
- Shares responsibility for digital services across web, mobile, ticket shop, and customer account touchpoints
- Prepares procurement decision documents and supplier evaluations
- Coordinates external development partners and steers AI-powered workflow automation initiatives
- Owns the strategic direction and quality assurance of ZVV's digital platform landscape
Jun 2016 – Dec 2021
Information Technology Application Manager
Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
Business-IT alignment, operational ownership and further development of zvv.ch, and technical project management in eTicketing.
- Drove business-IT alignment to synchronise internal process and service management, translating strategic requirements into IT risk, security, and architecture management
- Coordinated web development for zvv.ch in a Product Owner capacity, from requirements clarification through concept design to testing
- Developed a customer-centricity strategy to drive successful onboarding of new customers, including definition and measurement of KPIs
- Implemented PDCA methodology and value stream mapping to optimise process flows
- Led technical project management in eTicketing: defined architecture, security, and operational requirements; managed testing (concept, coordination, debugging with suppliers, retesting)
- Ensured uninterrupted operations at hosting and infrastructure level, including performance monitoring and supplier management
Mar 2018
Co-Founder | Information Officer
ALPA.one
Co-founded ALPA.one, specialising in Bitcoin and Lightning Network infrastructure and digital transaction solutions.
- Built and operates Lightning Network node deployments, Lightning payment systems, and custom Lightning workflows
- Positioned ALPA.one as a Bitcoin-native service provider with a focus on sovereign, decentralised infrastructure
- Holds responsibility for information and technology strategy across the organisation
- Develops solutions for seamless digital transactions built on the Lightning Network
May 2025 – May 2025
Lecturer for Bitcoin & Lightning Network
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Lecturer in the Lightning Network module of the CAS Bitcoin Economy — Europe's first Bitcoin-only executive programme at HWZ.
- Teaches the fundamentals and limitations of Bitcoin Layer 1 and the rationale for Layer 2 solutions to achieve scalability
- Explains how the Lightning Network works: instant payments, sovereignty, wallets, nodes, and routing markets
- Delivers a hands-on session featuring LNHunt — a gamified Lightning Network scavenger hunt format
- Provides an outlook on future developments including NOSTR, Taproot Assets, and further Layer 2 innovations
Nov 2023 – Oct 2024
Board Member
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Board member of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland (BAS), active in education, legal affairs, and public relations.
- Contributes to shaping BAS's strategic direction to promote Bitcoin adoption in Switzerland
- Engages in public relations and serves as a media spokesperson on Bitcoin-related topics
- Supports the organisation in addressing legal challenges surrounding Bitcoin in Switzerland
- Champions educational initiatives to improve public understanding of Bitcoin
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 implemented a digital multi-channel strategy
- Supported day-to-day operations in the integration of sophisticated smart home solutions
- Planned and deployed ICT multimedia solutions for enterprise clients
Jan 2014 – Apr 2016
Head of Web Development
WebComTV
Responsible for project management, key account management, requirements engineering, and front-end and back-end development across complex client projects.
- Managed projects using both agile and waterfall methodologies, including structural planning, cost estimation, and scheduling, resource, and financial planning
- Identified, assessed, and mitigated risks; authored requirements specifications with defined client acceptance criteria
- Conducted business analysis, produced functional specifications, and performed object-oriented analysis and design using UML (ERM, class, and sequence diagrams)
- Developed front-end solutions using HTML5/Bootstrap, jQuery, and CSS3; built back-end systems in PHP and JavaScript; modelled SQL databases
- Programmed CMS modules for Contao, Typo3, and WordPress; created HTML5 animations using 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 owned post-production workflows and live streaming infrastructure.
- Developed websites and iPad and Facebook applications across the full software lifecycle (requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, documentation)
- Created and optimised post-production workflows for film production, covering data storage, processing, and archiving
- Ensured data security and integrity throughout film production as Digital Imaging Technician (D-IT)
- Planned and deployed technical infrastructure for live streaming events, including integration into web applications
- Installed and configured NAS backup infrastructure; supported the internal SAN network and managed backup and offsite storage of production material via tape library
Jan 2007 – Jun 2010
Service Center Manager
Tele Locher
Established and operated the service centre, encompassing IT consulting, network planning, server installation, and bespoke software development for clients.
- Planned and built custom PC systems; delivered IT consulting for private and business clients
- Developed bespoke software solutions in the areas of security and networking
- Designed and built corporate networks; installed and configured servers (Wintel and Linux)
- Carried out audio and video installations; produced corporate design assets for clients (logos, business cards, email signatures, websites)
- Planned, conceptualised, and delivered the corporate website for Tele Locher AG
May 2007 – Aug 2008
Service & Support Agent
Mister Q AG
Provided application and system support alongside web design and marketing assistance for business clients.
- Delivered application and system support for Windows and Mac environments; installed and maintained workstations, peripherals, networks, and communication devices
- Received, triaged, and advised on incident reports
- Conducted software training in office and photo applications; maintained system documentation
- Designed websites, newsletters, and print materials for business clients; supported the marketing department
Jun 2006 – Aug 2006
Temporary Position
Baker & McKenzie Zurich
Temporary administrative role within the law firm.
- Filed and archived business-relevant documents
- Managed email archiving and carried out 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
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