What We Always Wanted to Know About Christian – Our CEO

A personal insight into the mind of our founder and CEO Christian Fehrlin: From childhood dreams to the creation of Deep Impact and his visions for the future.

English edition — originally published in German as Was wir schon immer von Christian – unserem CEO – wissen wollten.

The Man Behind the CEO

Christian Frei founded Deep Impact and built it into a leading technology company in ten years. But who is the man behind the CEO? We asked him.

The Beginnings

How did you get into technology?

I was fascinated by computers even as a child. My first was a Commodore 64. I spent nights typing out BASIC programs – and understanding why they worked. That curiosity has remained.

When did you know you wanted to start a company?

Actually, always. Even in school, I started small 'businesses' – websites for neighbors, IT support. The idea of building something of my own never let go of me.

The Founding

What was the trigger for Deep Impact?

I worked in various agencies and was frustrated. Too much politics, too little focus on quality. I knew: this can be done better. So, I took the leap.

What was the biggest challenge at the beginning?

The first customer. You have no portfolio, no references, just a promise. Finding someone who still trusts you – that was the hardest part.

Setbacks

What was your biggest mistake?

There are a few. An early project where we underestimated the complexity. An employee we kept too long. A customer we should have turned down. You learn from everything.

How do you deal with setbacks?

Analyze, learn, move on. Don't dwell on it too long. And: share with the team. Transparency about mistakes builds trust.

Successes

What are you most proud of?

The team. We've attracted incredible people and built a culture where they can grow. That's worth more than any project.

What was the most emotional moment?

The ten-year anniversary. Standing on stage, the whole company in front of me, looking back – that was overwhelming.

Personal

How do you switch off?

Sports help. And time with family. On weekends, I try not to think about business – which doesn't always work.

What inspires you?

People who build something. Books about entrepreneurship and innovation. Conversations with other founders.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully still curious and learning. Whether that's at Deep Impact or something new – who knows. The journey is the destination.

Conclusion

What would I tell young founders? Get started. Don't wait for the perfect moment. Build a good team. And never forget why you started.