David Allemann
Co-founder, co-chief executive and co-chair of On
David Allemann is a Swiss entrepreneur who co-founded the running and sportswear brand On in Zurich in 2010 with Olivier Bernhard and Caspar Coppetti. After serving as executive co-chairman, he has led the company as co-chief executive and board co-chair alongside Coppetti since May 2026.
| Role | Co-chief executive and co-chair, On |
|---|---|
| Since | May 2026 (co-CEO) |
| Previously | Executive co-chairman |
| Co-founded | On, Zurich, January 2010 |
| Nationality | Swiss |
Who is David Allemann?
David Allemann is a Swiss businessman and one of the three founders of On, the Zurich-based maker of running shoes and performance apparel. Since May 2026 he has been co-chief executive and co-chair of the board of On Holding AG together with fellow co-founder Caspar Coppetti.
Building On
On was founded in January 2010 in Zurich by Olivier Bernhard, David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. The company's signature CloudTec cushioning grew out of Bernhard's experiments with pieces of garden hose attached to a running shoe; the cloud-shaped elements compress on landing and then lock together for push-off. From running shoes, On expanded into apparel, outdoor, training and tennis.
Key milestones include:
- November 2019: Roger Federer became a shareholder, followed in 2020 by The Roger lifestyle shoe
- September 2021: listing on the New York Stock Exchange, raising around 746 million dollars
- 2024: net sales of 2.32 billion Swiss francs and net income of 242 million Swiss francs
- Presence in more than 80 countries
Leadership
Allemann and Coppetti served as executive co-chairmen while Marc Maurer and Martin Hoffmann ran On as co-chief executives from January 2021. Maurer left in June 2025 and Hoffmann became sole chief executive in July 2025. In March 2026 On announced that Hoffmann would step down, and since 1 May 2026 Allemann and Coppetti have led the company as co-chief executives and co-chairs of the board. Olivier Bernhard remains on the executive board, Scott Maguire became president and chief operating officer, and Frank Sluis was appointed chief financial officer.
Influence on the fashion business
On is one of the most successful new sportswear brands of the past two decades, competing in running with long established groups. Its growth shows how a technology-led product story, premium pricing and a balanced mix of wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales can build a global brand from a small home market. The company is also part of a wider Swiss success story in performance products.
Why it matters
With the founders once again running the company day to day, Allemann's decisions shape one of the most closely watched listed brands in sportswear. For fashion and footwear executives, On is a reference case for innovation-driven brand building and founder-led governance after an IPO.
Frequently asked questions
Who is David Allemann?
David Allemann is a co-founder of the Swiss sportswear company On, launched in Zurich in 2010. Since May 2026 he has led the company as co-chief executive and board co-chair with Caspar Coppetti.
Who are the founders of On?
On was founded in Zurich in January 2010 by former triathlete Olivier Bernhard together with David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. Allemann and Coppetti have been co-chief executives since May 2026, while Bernhard sits on the executive board.