The spark behind FlowHardware
In 2024, a young Swiss resident from Moudon, Valentin Flückiger, found himself bedridden after an accident. While in convalescence, he turned to gaming and began testing various server hosts. He repeatedly encountered the same failings: high latency, lackluster customer support, and costs that seemed disproportionate to the service offered. Rather than accept poor options, Valentin, with the support of his parents, decided to chart his own course and launched FlowHardware, a company aimed at delivering better, more affordable gaming server hosting for the Swiss community.
A teen founder with a hands-on approach
Administrative hurdles came with his age. The commercial register needed a signature, which his father provided, and he remains a central figure in the operation. Beyond legalities, Valentin balances his role at FlowHardware with an apprenticeship as an electrician, proving that passion can drive practical discipline. “My days are full, but I manage to juggle everything. FlowHardware is my passion, and I don’t count the hours,” he explains. His story inspires peers to take the leap: start small, learn on the ground, and let the work speak for itself.
How FlowHardware runs today
Valentin’s servers host an active community of gamers—roughly 2,000 players online each evening, with occasional peaks up to 4,000. The most popular titles on FlowHardware include Minecraft, FiveM (GTA RP), Garry’s Mod, and Rust. The young founder currently operates with infrastructure hosted in a French data center, but he has clear plans to bring everything back to Switzerland by the end of the year. The aim is to offer a product that is 100% Swiss, tailored for Swiss gaming communities and their needs for latency and local support.
Beyond gaming: diversification and future plans
FlowHardware isn’t limited to game servers. Valentin’s roadmap includes a suite of IT services such as online telephony, IT support, and a VPN offering. The business model centers on reliability, transparent pricing, and a Swiss-centric philosophy that minimizes latency for local users. The move toward a fully Swiss service is both a strategic and symbolic step, reinforcing the idea that world-class hosting can be rooted in Switzerland’s robust data protections and proximity to its users.
Why Switzerland matters for FlowHardware
Valentin sees a clear demand among Swiss players for servers that respond quickly and with local customer care. A homegrown solution reduces reliance on cross-border data paths and allows for responsive, Swiss-based technical support. By focusing on Switzerland first, FlowHardware positions itself to scale around a dedicated community while maintaining the tempo and flexibility of a startup that began with a single idea and a lot of ambition.
Advice for other young entrepreneurs
Valentin’s message to other youths is practical: start on the ground, learn by doing, and don’t be afraid to seek mentors. He emphasizes that experience in the field—building, testing, and iterating—teaches more than any classroom could. In a landscape where latency and support can make or break a gaming community, his story demonstrates that determination, coupled with family support and a clear plan, can turn a lockdown hobby into a full-fledged company.
