Salomon Wettstein in Hong Kong
We're featuring alumni from all over the world from A to Z. Our next stop is Hong Kong with Salomon Wettstein, Head of a consulting and software development company.
What country are you currently living in, and what motivated your decision to move there?
I have been living in Hong Kong for almost ten years now. Together with my wife, I moved to Singapore in 2013 and, less than three years later, to Hong Kong. Our plan was always to move to Greater China to explore and experience a different culture. That was also the reason I studied Chinese at the Language Centre of UZH and ETH Zurich and took backpacking trips to China at the end of my studies.
In Hong Kong, we fell in love with the city's vibrant energy, which offers not only great business opportunities but also stunning natural landscapes, including nature parks, magnificent trails, scenic coastlines, and mountain ranges. It’s also a highly convenient base for traveling across Asia. Within just 30 minutes, you can reach mainland China and explore the rapidly growing Greater Bay Area, home to some of the world's largest and most innovative cities, such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I wake up between 5:00 and 5:30 am. After catching up on emails and messages, I go for my morning run at 6:00 am. Exercising in the morning is crucial for me—it boosts my energy levels and clears my mind before the first calls start, no later than 8:00 am. My workday typically lasts 12 to 14 hours, often including evening calls.
Throughout the day, I visit our team at the office, meet with clients, and collaborate with technology partners. If time allows, I might squeeze in a short gym session in the evening. Most importantly, I make sure to spend a few quality minutes with my son before he goes to bed.
How has the country you’re living in influenced your daily life?
Hong Kong is a fascinating blend of East and West, offering a unique mix of cultural richness and entrepreneurial dynamism. Despite its iconic skyline, more than 70% of the land is countryside or parkland, making it easy to escape into nature. Within 10 minutes, I can be hiking or running on some of the most scenic trails. Running ultra-marathons on these trails provides a perfect balance to my demanding entrepreneurial life.
At the same time, Hong Kong has served as an anchor and springboard for expanding our business in the region. From here, we’ve established offices in Shenzhen, Taipei, and Bangkok—all easily accessible.
Were there specific courses or activities during your time at ETH that have proven to be particularly valuable for you?
My studies in Computational Science and Engineering equipped me not only with the technical skills that are highly relevant today—especially in the era of agentic and predictive AI—but also with fundamental lessons in managing large-scale projects and solving complex real-world problems, such as those in the financial services industry.
Leading a consulting and software engineering business requires out-of-the-box thinking, as every day brings new challenges. Looking back on my Master’s thesis and the numerous research projects I completed at ETH, I realize how valuable it was to learn how to formulate hypotheses, define simplified models, collect and analyze data, validate models, and draw defensible conclusions.
Have you faced any challenges since living in Hong Kong, and how have you addressed them?
As an entrepreneur, I constantly face challenges—whether from macroeconomic influences like ongoing trade tensions or the impact of global events such as the pandemic, or from the daily hurdles of operating in a highly competitive and dynamic environment. These challenges test resilience, creativity, and grit.
One key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of fostering a positive failure culture—promoting a growth mindset focused on continuous learning and improvement. And, most importantly, success isn’t achieved alone. Finding the right team is crucial. Even the toughest journey becomes manageable when you have a team running alongside you.
How do you stay connected with ETH and your university friends?
I stay connected through social media (e.g., LinkedIn) and by participating in Swiss alumni networking events. (See attached pictures, where I gave a motivational speech at a Swiss alumni event attended by ETH and University of St. Gallen alumni, based on the Four Trails movie.)
I also try to connect with fellow alumni wherever I go—both to create business opportunities and to identify talented individuals in different markets.
What is a "typical" word of the country?
"Ga yau" (Chinese: 加油), which translates roughly to "Add oil," is a widely used expression of encouragement and support in both Mandarin and Cantonese. You often hear it while running or hiking on the trails. It’s also commonly used at sports events to cheer on athletes.
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