Ten years ago, Adrian Locher from Bern set out to find the ideal location to develop an AI ecosystem – and ultimately chose Germany over Switzerland. A deep pool of international talent, easier hiring and the opportunity to build something new in Europe proved decisive. Near Berlin’s Nordbahnhof train station, a sleek new building hosts the Merantix Campus, a hub where AI converges. Founder Adrian Locher is just one face among many in the co‑working space, coffee in hand. If there is a founder gene, he is clearly endowed with it. Swiss entrepreneurs abroad series Our series profiles Swiss men and women founding and building businesses abroad. Through their personal stories, we explore why they choose to pursue their projects beyond Switzerland’s borders, the working conditions they encounter there, and the challenges and opportunities. Through their life stories, this series also showcases how the Swiss Abroad community contributes to Switzerland’s economic, cultural, and political …