About Us
Z22 Technologies is a FINMA regulated Machine Learning Hedge Fund specialised in volatility trading in tradfi as well as crypto. All our strategies follow a systematic "Machine Quant" approach without discretionary decisions and the investment process is fully controlled by intelligent Machine Learning algorithms.
Our Story
And
Our Approach
Our story begins in 2018, when the two founders and owners of Z22 Technologies, Philipp Baumann and Armin Herbsthofer, met spontaneously for lunch in Zurich, recommended by a mutual friend. Despite not knowing each other previously, they discovered numerous commonalities and overlapping areas of interest right from the first encounter.
​
Both share an insatiable thirst for knowledge, ambitious goals, and high expectations of themselves, particularly in their shared passion for financial markets and technology. During that very lunch, they started laying out concrete plans for the future. Before their plates were empty, they impulsively decided to revolutionize the world of asset management, with the idea and firm intention of becoming a significant European counterpart to the heavyweight American asset management firms. Thus, from two strangers at that single lunch, they became not only entrepreneurs and business partners but also best friends.
​
This unbiased and unconditional trust, along with the combination of our respective strengths, forms the foundation of our company and significantly shapes our internal culture. An essential advantage of implementing an investment strategy algorithmically is that our investment decisions are completely decoupled from our personal, emotionally influenced opinions (especially during crisis situations).
We simply do not know where the market will move.
​
That's why we follow a purely data-driven research process. It begins with formulating an idea or scientific hypothesis to explore a new strategy or improve an existing system. The second phase involves scientifically testing the formulated hypothesis and collecting data-based evidence to support the idea. From there, an algorithm is programmed and rigorously tested by the entire team in a peer-review process to validate or refute the hypothesis.
​
If the hypothesis is confirmed, the algorithm is first launched in a shadow mode (such as a paper trading account) and only gradually integrated into an existing system after a successful testing phase. This approach helps us avoid excessive and abrupt changes to our system.
​
Generating above-average returns in our present-day world is no longer about experience and 'gray hair,' but rather about precise science, new technologies, and innovative entrepreneurship. Just as the ETH Zürich and the University of St. Gallen (HSG) have taught us.
We are a group of passionate mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists and entrepreneurs, developing and researching Machine Learning driven managed futures overlays. By rigorously applying the scientific method and using cutting edge technology, we find untapped potentials in a variety of markets. We trade the most liquid global markets, cross-asset class, ranging from traditional markets to crypto.
​
Management Team
-
Armin Herbsthofer (Founder)
-
Philipp Baumann (Founder)
-
Axel Pohl (Partner)
Board Of Directors
-
Thomas Hochstrasser (Lawyer at Niederer, Kraft & Frey)
-
Prof. Dr. Josef Teichmann (Professor for Financial Mathematics at ETH Zürich)
-
Thomas Hirsiger (Entrepreneur and owner of Finiens Wealth Management)
Our Team
Why We Are Using
Machine Learning
Opinion Agnostic
Machine Learning has emerged as a superior approach when it comes to investing, surpassing traditional methods in several key aspects. One notable advantage lies in its ability to be opinion agnostic. Unlike human investors, Machine Learning algorithms are not influenced by emotions, biases, or subjective opinions. This impartiality ensures that investment decisions are driven solely by data and statistical patterns.
​
​
Systematic
Another compelling strength of Machine Learning in investing is its systematic nature. These algorithms can process vast amounts of historical and real-time data, allowing them to identify intricate patterns and correlations that may go unnoticed by human analysts. By leveraging this vast data analysis, Machine Learning algorithms can generate more accurate predictions and insights, resulting in informed investment decisions.
​
​
Superior Risk Management
Furthermore, Machine Learning algorithms excel in managing risk and minimizing losses. They can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and adjust investment strategies accordingly. By continuously learning from new data, these algorithms can detect early signs of potential market downturns or anomalies, enabling proactive risk management.
​
​
In summary, Machine Learning offers undeniable advantages in investing. Its emotionless and opinion agnostic nature eliminates the biases and errors associated with human decision-making. Machine Learning is a powerful tool that needs to be handled with caution and expertise in order to reap the benefits and avoid well-known pitfalls such as overfitting and data-mining. By being systematic and data-driven, it provides a more accurate and informed perspective on investment opportunities. Moreover, its ability to manage risk and adapt to changing market conditions adds another layer of sophistication. As technology continues to advance, Machine Learning is poised to reshape and revolutionize the investment landscape.