The Helvetian – Stackhaus Draft

— Issue 141

How a small team in Zug shipped a Stripe alternative — quietly, and to seventy customers.

A profile of Wirepay and a conversation with founder Marina Steiger.

By Lukas Imhof · April 19

— Issue 140

Why we won't be paying for AI agents until 2027.

A counterargument to the autonomous-agents hype, from somebody who's tried.

By Lukas Imhof · April 12

— Issue 139

The Sunday questions: a small framework for not getting stuck.

Three questions I borrow once a week. None of them are "what's my goal."

By Lukas Imhof · April 5

— Issue 138 · Guest

What ten years of Y Combinator looks like from Bern.

Guest essay by Anja Roth, founder of Spektrum, two-time YC alumnus.

By Anja Roth · March 29

— Issue 137

Notes on hiring engineers when you're paying senior London salaries from Zürich.

Three things I've learned about the Swiss / EU / UK / US comp market.

By Lukas Imhof · March 22

— Issue 136

The case for working four days, badly.

An imperfect attempt at a four-day week, six months in.

By Lukas Imhof · March 15

Written by Lukas Imhof.

Lukas is a software engineer and founder based in Zürich. He has spent the last decade building tools — most recently at a quiet B2B SaaS company — and has been writing this letter every Sunday since 2023.

He occasionally invites guest contributors. Pitches are welcome at editors@thehelvetian.ch.

142 issues · 12,400 subscribers · Published every Sunday

The Quiet Decade: why Swiss companies are hiring fewer engineers and shipping more software.

How a small team in Zug shipped a Stripe alternative — quietly, and to seventy customers.

Why we won't be paying for AI agents until 2027.

The Sunday questions: a small framework for not getting stuck.

What ten years of Y Combinator looks like from Bern.

Notes on hiring engineers when you're paying senior London salaries from Zürich.

The case for working four days, badly.

How a small team in Zug shipped a Stripe alternative.

Why we won't be paying for AI agents until 2027.

The Sunday questions: a small framework for not getting stuck.

What ten years of Y Combinator looks like from Bern.

Notes on hiring engineers when you're paying senior London salaries from Zürich.

The case for working four days, badly.

What I learned writing 100 issues, mostly about myself.

Written by Lukas Imhof.

The Quiet Decade: why Swiss companies are hiring fewer engineers and shipping more software.

One thoughtful letter,every Sunday morning.

How a small team in Zug shipped a Stripe alternative — quietly, and to seventy customers.

Why we won't be paying for AI agents until 2027.

The Sunday questions: a small framework for not getting stuck.

What ten years of Y Combinator looks like from Bern.

Notes on hiring engineers when you're paying senior London salaries from Zürich.

The case for working four days, badly.

How a small team in Zug shipped a Stripe alternative.

Why we won't be paying for AI agents until 2027.

The Sunday questions: a small framework for not getting stuck.

What ten years of Y Combinator looks like from Bern.

Notes on hiring engineers when you're paying senior London salaries from Zürich.

The case for working four days, badly.

What I learned writing 100 issues, mostly about myself.

Written by Lukas Imhof.

One thoughtful letter,
every Sunday morning.