As Programme Manager for Technology, Telecommunications and Navigation at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, Johann Richard contributes to the creation and fostering of a sustainable space economy in Switzerland.

Johann Richard is supporting Swiss organizations and companies to achieve their objectives in technology development for future space missions and the commercial space sector. His work within the Swiss Space Office at SERI and as a Delegate to the European Space Agency ESA puts him in a position to bring together the public procurement approach of ESA with the needs and priorities of Switzerland for a competitive, innovative national Space Landscape. Johann Richard currently oversees a flagship initiative, implemented jointly with the European Space Agency, for the creation of a Business Acceleration and Incubation Programme for space and space based startups.