I was born in Geneva and my roots are in the Bernese Alps. I grew up between two languages, French and Swiss German, and between two cultures that taught me early on how to adapt. From a very young age, one thing was clear: I wanted to be an entrepreneur. One book acted as a trigger — Richard Branson’s Losing My Virginity. More than a biography, it gave me permission: to dare, to step outside the frame and build my own road.
At 15, I chose action over the classroom and started an apprenticeship at Swissair. There I discovered the standards of a great airline, a sense of service and the rigour of a world where every detail matters.
At 18, Swissair sent me to New York for a year. On 11 September 2001, I was there. That day, I was thrown into adulthood overnight. Far from home, I learned to face adversity alone, to keep a cool head and to keep going when everything was shaking. That lesson has never left me.
Back in Switzerland, I spent a few more years in travel and aviation, then moved into the automotive sector with Carglass. I was asked to build the Swiss call centre: in 24 months, I took it from zero to thirty employees and helped drive growth of more than 50% a year. At the same time, I became the company’s sales director. I learned how to recruit, rally a team and deliver on ambitious targets.
Next came another challenge: restructuring Elixim, a reception services company. Within two years, it was financially balanced again and had become the best-performing company in its group. Proof, to me, that clear organisation and a committed team can change everything.
Then it was time to build for myself. I founded Swiss Auto Glass and grew it for more than ten years, until it became the third-largest player in the country. Ten years of daily battles, victories and self-questioning, before I sold my shares.
After the sale, I launched my consulting activities to put my experience at the service of other business leaders. At the same time, I joined my friend Adrien at FFI and became a shareholder. I first knew him as a client; he became a friend, then my partner. Today I live in Tbilisi and support investors and entrepreneurs across Switzerland, Europe, the Gulf and Georgia.
Apprenticeship at Swissair
A year in New York for Swissair
Built the Swiss call centre (0 to 30 employees in 24 months) and led sales
Restructuring, return to financial balance and top performer of the group
Founded the company, 10+ years of growth, national number three, then sold
Partner — real estate investment in Georgia — and consulting activities
Member of the Iran national team staff
What keeps me going
Sport gives me daily discipline and helps me clear my head. Rugby above all: a collective combat sport where you only move forward together. Since this year, I have been part of the Iran national team staff — and we recently won a match against Armenia.
Travelling opens me up to the world, professionally and personally. It is my way of forming my own opinion on the cultures and realities of our planet, far from preconceptions.
In pictures
“Investing with my clients and supporting them for the entire life of their investment, with one goal: growing their wealth over the years and across projects.”
— Eric Fankhauser
What guides me
In the face of adversity, you don’t back down: you adapt, get up and move forward.
A constant pursuit of performance and excellence, in every project and every detail.
Lasting relationships: my clients often become friends, sometimes partners.
The team
Each activity is carried by a team. You benefit from complementary skills and a network built over years.
All three activities
FFI partner · Strategic consulting · Advisory Board
Swiss entrepreneur based in Tbilisi. More than 25 years of experience, including over ten running his own company.
LinkedInReal estate investment
Partner · FFI
Eric’s friend and partner at FFI, an international investment and wealth management advisory firm.
LinkedInRental management
Partner · FFI
FFI partner and rental management specialist: letting, tenant follow-up and optimising the income from your properties.
LinkedInAdvisory Board
The Advisory Board
Leads the support of Swiss SMEs alongside Eric at The Advisory Board.
LinkedInGovernment and institutional decision-makers, banks, lawyers, tax advisors and developers: relationships established at the highest level, working for our clients.
A first, no-obligation conversation to understand your goals and see how we can support you.
