From setback to startup
In the quiet town of Moudon, in the canton of Vaud, a teenage entrepreneur has stitched together a business plan out of frustration and curiosity. Valentin Flückiger, then just 16, launched FlowHardware in 2024 after an extended period of convalescence during which he spent hours testing countless game servers and hosting providers. What began as a series of personal trials soon evolved into a formal venture aimed at solving the very problems he encountered as a gamer: high latency, mediocre support, and prohibitively expensive pricing.
Valentin’s story isn’t a fairy tale born overnight. The decisive moment came when the boy who preferred tinkering with electronics and games decided to turn his observations into action. He and his parents mapped a path forward, and with their support FlowHardware began to take shape as a real business offering dedicated hosting services for gamers in Switzerland and beyond.
Administrative hurdles, practical resolve
Like many young entrepreneurs, Valentin faced a practical barrier: his age. Legally, he could not sign every document himself, so his father stepped in to sign the registre du commerce and continue to handle the larger contracts. The setup required balancing school life and an apprenticeship in electricians’ work with the responsibilities of running a small company. “Administratively, it was complicated because of my age,” he says, admitting that the situation forced him to lean on his family more than he would have liked. Still, he insists that this balance taught him something essential: you don’t wait for permission to start making things work on the ground.
On the ground: a teenage boss with a clear vision
FlowHardware’s day-to-day operations are a blend of hands-on management and professional maintenance support. Valentin handles core decisions, product direction, and customer relations, while a professional keeps the servers running and provides ongoing maintenance. His accounting remains predominantly a family affair, but the operational backbone is clearly his. “My days are busy, but I manage to juggle my obligations,” he explains. “My company is my passion, and I don’t count the hours.”
What FlowHardware actually hosts
Today, FlowHardware serves a bustling community of gamers who connect in the evenings, with numbers that speak to the platform’s growing footprint. Valentin notes that the servers routinely welcome about 2,000 players per night, with peak loads reaching up to 4,000 users. The most popular titles and platforms hosted on FlowHardware include Minecraft, FiveM (the GTA RP mod), Garry’s Mod, and Rust. Looking ahead, he’s watching eagerly for GTA VI, hoping the new release will energize his client base even further.
Switzerland, a future-proofed focus
One of Valentin’s core ambitions is a strategic pivot toward a fully Swiss-infrastructure offering. At present, much of FlowHardware’s physical infrastructure sits in a French data center, but the plan is to relocate the entire setup to Switzerland by the end of the year. The objective is simple and ambitious: deliver a 100% Swiss product tailored to Swiss gaming communities, with local support and predictable pricing. Beyond hosting, FlowHardware is exploring adjacent services such as online telephony, IT solutions, and VPN offerings, turning a gaming-centric venture into a broader IT services company.
Beyond gaming: a message for peers
Valentin’s experience underscores a broader lesson for young people with big ideas: the field is wide, and the terrain is navigable if you start with a clear problem and a practical plan. He encourages peers to “trust what you can do on the ground, learn by doing, and don’t be afraid to start.” For him, FlowHardware is not only a company but a learning journey—one that he hopes will pave the way for a strong, Swiss-centric tech ecosystem in the years to come.
