Meet Marc-Oliver Gewaltig, Co-founder & CEO of thesify.ai

Tell us more about thesify.ai
Thesify develops responsible AI tools for academic writing that help students and researchers excel without compromising their skills or academic integrity. Our AI assistant, “Theo,” provides structured, in-depth feedback on papers, theses, and even grant proposals while preserving the writer’s voice and promoting learning.

Please give some more details of your startup story: what was the “aha” moment that led to the idea for your startup?
As a seasoned academic, I’ve seen firsthand how students struggle to get meaningful feedback on their writing. At the same time, professors and group leaders are inundated with requests to review not only their students’ manuscripts but also journal and conference submissions. Our “aha” moment came when we realized that large language models are now powerful enough to help both students and supervisors.

So, what’s next for you—what’s a bold goal you’re chasing right now?
Our dream is to build the most comprehensive academic toolset that amplifies the skills and voices of academics while protecting their intellectual responsibility and academic integrity.

Which decision (big or small) had the most unexpected positive impact on your startup?
We decided early on to focus on providing feedback rather than generating content. Many friends told us this would limit our potential, but that “constraint” became our biggest differentiator. It allowed us to earn trust from professors, teachers, and universities, and to establish Thesify as the ethical choice in academic AI—opening doors we never expected.

How did you build your team, and what helps you maintain your startup culture?
A startup can only succeed if all employees work together toward a single goal. The most important aspects in building our team are team spirit, compatibility, and genuine passion for our mission. We nurture this spirit with regular open discussions around our product vision and company goals.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?
We would engage with universities even earlier in our development. Building trust takes time, but it’s the foundation of sustainable growth in educational technology.

Building a startup requires resilience, how do you stay focused during tough times?
Of course, we stay connected to our vision—our “why.” But we’ve also learned that in difficult times, the best strategy is absolute transparency about the state of the company and the role everyone can play in moving forward.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?
Don’t just solve a problem—solve it with a (potential) customer. Only someone from your target audience can tell you if you’re on track and whether they’d be willing to spend money on your product. Don’t waste time building something without validating it with real customers.

What value do you see in being part of the Swiss Startup Association?
The Association helps us connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and provides opportunities to reach new customers and access valuable resources.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the community?
AI in education is at a crossroads. We can either build tools that replace human learning or enhance it. We chose enhancement. The future belongs to companies that empower people rather than replace them.

Check out Marc-Olive’s LinkedIn here!

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.