Meet Valentine Pleser, Co-Founder & CGO of Green Mining DAO

Tell us about Green Mining DAO
Green Mining DAO makes Bitcoin mining sustainable, profitable, and accessible. Through our tokenized co-mining model, investors become real co-owners of mining facilities powered by renewables—joining a purpose-driven community of like-minded innovators.

Please give some more details of your startup story.
Sascha Grumbach and I founded Green Mining DAO (GM Data Centers AG) in 2022 to rethink Bitcoin mining—fair, green, and community-led. Our international team of ~10 people works across Zug, Berlin, remote setups, and on-site in Paraguay. We’re united by the belief that Bitcoin, clean energy and heat reuse can go hand in hand to create long-term value.

Tell us more about your plans for 2025 and what is your long-term vision. 
In 2025, we aim to scale our latest project in Paraguay, Green Mine #003 (GM3), to 6 MW. Our vision: a global network of sustainable Bitcoin mining facilities with 100+ MW, empowering our investor community through decentralized ownership and accelerating the clean energy transition.

What has been the biggest success that you have achieved in your startup?
Our flagship project, GM3, became profitable in its first year—delivering Bitcoin dividends to 100+ investors. We proved that Bitcoin mining can be both ecological and profitable. Seeing that vision succeed in practice—not just on paper—has been incredibly rewarding.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Building a team with shared values and passion is essential. Values aren’t just a mission statement—they shape decisions and culture. We learned that trust, openness, accountability, and a genuine love for Bitcoin mining are key to staying focused and aligned.

What motivates you to continue your business every day? 
I’m motivated by building something that merges purpose and profit. What keeps me going is the people—our team, partners, and community. Collaborating on a smarter, cleaner approach to Bitcoin mining gives me energy every single day.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?
Don’t follow every piece of advice. Trust your instincts and build what you believe in. And start building your network early—people who challenge and support you will make the biggest difference when things get tough (and they will!).

What does it mean to you to be a member of the Swiss Startup Association?
It means being part of a community that supports and inspires—across sectors and stages. As a founder in a fast-moving space, it’s invaluable to feel seen, heard, and connected to others on the same journey. I truly appreciate the Swiss startup spirit of building sustainable, profitable ventures.

Would you recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association? Why?
Absolutely! SSA provides visibility, resources, and real connections in the Swiss ecosystem. For us, it opened doors to partnerships, sparked fresh ideas, and gave us a platform to position Green Mining DAO among like-minded innovators.

Have you ever visited the events of the Swiss Startup Association? If yes, which ones? Would you recommend them?
Not yet—but I’ve heard great things! I’m excited to join future SSA events and experience the community spirit and shared learning firsthand.

Is there anything that we haven’t asked you that you would like to share with the community?
If you’re building something “too niche” or “too early”—keep going! When we started with co-mining and heat reuse, it sounded crazy. Innovation starts where others aren’t looking. And if you care about sustainability and Bitcoin, let’s connect—we welcome new ideas, collaborations, and investors in our GM3 community.

Connect with Valentine on LinkedIn!

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About the Swiss Startup Association

The Swiss Startup Association (SSA) is the umbrella organisation and the voice of Swiss startups. As a sector-independent non-profit organisation, the SSA gives startups a strong voice vis-à-vis politics, business, and works to improve the conditions for startups in Switzerland.
Beyond its political engagement, the SSA fosters a community for startups, recognizing the unique challenges they face. Through networking opportunities, educational sessions, and practical services, the SSA collaborates with industry partners to offer tailored support and valuable resources to guide founders on their entrepreneurial journey.

Join the Swiss Startup Association! Tap into our member benefits, the comprehensive Investor List and get full access to our events. By becoming an SSA Member you enjoy discounted tickets to our Big Founders Dinners and the SSA Founders Day.