Doodle founder Myke Näf: business angel and professional tinkerer
Since 2007, the online scheduling tool Doodle has become an indispensable part of everyday life. It was invented by Myke Näf, a resident of Zurich by choice. That was a few years ago now—but Myke Näf remains active and shuns only one thing: standing still. Werbewoche met with the resourceful entrepreneur and business angel on the rooftop terrace of the Swiss Life Lab.
Myke Näf, 43, writes with a Y as a matter of principle: "There were simply too many Mikes in my environment, so I had to do something about it," he says with a mischievous smile. Growing up in the very rural Fricktal region of Aargau, he became interested in computer science at an early age. "At the age of eleven, I played around a lot on my computer. You could say I was a real nerd."
Soon he also began programming - even then with a useful ulterior motive: "When I was 13, I created a cooking recipe management program for acquaintances." He found and still finds the involvement with computer science and the possibilities it offers fascinating.
Information security as the main interest
After graduating from cantonal school in Aarau, Myke Näf was drawn to Zurich in 1993 not only to live there but also to the ETH, where he studied, you guessed it, computer science. He soon became involved in adult education, training participants in information security. In the Philippines, he also taught applied information security.
From non-fiction author to entrepreneur
He was ICT Chief Security Officer at Zurich Airport and Security Engineer at SIX Telekurs. As author and co-author of three non-fiction books on Internet security and information retrieval on the Internet, he positioned himself as an Internet expert.
Later, Myke Näf programmed Doodle for his circle of friends. By itself, the program spread like wildfire. It's hardly surprising that in 2007 he started his own business with Doodle. He quit his lectureship at ETH: "Doodle was clearly my most exciting project so far. Initially, I had only used it in a small circle. While my co-founder Paul Sevinç and I recognized the growth potential, we still had to figure out how to monetize the service sustainably after the company was founded."
"Quickly there were 100,000 Doodle users".
The user growth was a big driver: "Soon there were 100,000 people using Doodle. With each additional zero, we were a bit surprised and proud. We were very encouraged by the positive feedback we received." Doodle comprised just twelve people when the two owners decided to sell it in 2011. They fully withdrew from the management in 2013. "We sold the company to Tamedia in a very good condition. That gave us a good feeling. Paul and I never wanted to retire from Doodle."
Today, over 25 million people use the online planner every month, and it also works in over 22 languages. Since September and the iOS10 operating system, Doodle has also been integrated into Apple's iMessage.
The Business Angel
Myke Näf has created various new fields of activity for himself. For example, he appears on the scene as an investor and sparring partner in start-up companies in the Internet sector and thus acts as a business angel. He appreciates being able to pass on his experience: "Whether as an investor, board member or coach, I like to support exciting, promising start-ups. Generation after generation is coming along, so it's important to network."
"I'm from here, so I'm doing my part here!"
He sees his commitment as a contribution to the next generation: "It's fun, and it also gives me a sense that people never run out of good ideas."
His focus is on Switzerland: "I'm from here, so I want to make my contribution here, too." Nevertheless, Myke Näf is on the road a lot, because "I can work from anywhere, I need my laptop and an Internet connection, that's enough." Currently, for example, he is a venture partner at Cavalry Ventures, a fund for startups in Berlin that makes early investments. There, Näf is the "bridge builder to Switzerland," as he calls his work.
Swiss Life Lab supports innovations
When he is in Switzerland, he has been working at Swiss Life Lab, Swiss Life's innovation laboratory, since 2015. Among other things, the lab aims to found, hold and manage start-up companies in the digital field and offers services in the areas of internet, pensions and real estate. "I learned a lot about insurance and real estate at Swiss Life. I didn't have any points of contact with that before, so the job excites me."
He is involved with some companies whose products appeal to him himself, such as Codecheck, an app that lets you check products for ingredients, and Farmy, an online store for regional organic products.
Myke Näf, again together with Paul Sevinç, also has his own project in the quiver: Elohna, a web-based payroll accounting software for Switzerland. Elohna has been on the market since June and should have good chances.
Brain food through ideas puzzle
How does Myke Näf envision his future? "I'm satisfied and see what the future holds for me. I will continue to tinker, because that's what I like to do. Nothing has to work out right away either, because I like to experiment." On his list of ideas are a few projects, "I need brain food. Experimenting with ideas is like a puzzle for me - it brings me new inputs, which I don't want to live without."
Text and photos: Malini Gloor
This article already appeared in Werbewoche 20/2016 of December 2, 2016.
