# What’s Happening at Innofuse
After a year of dedicated development, Innofuse officially launched its web-platform on September 6th. In collaboration with 25 key opinion leaders from academia and industrial R&D, we have made our vision a reality. While onboarding is in full swing, our team continues to work on enhancing the platform every day.
New members are joining us daily, and we are gradually onboarding key institutes, companies, and associations. The first collaborators are already visible on our website, with more to be showcased soon. Stay tuned as our network grows!
Our first version includes the “My Innofuse” Cockpit, the “Initiatives Hub”, the “Networking Hub”, and the “Innofuse Reactor”, our initial search and matchmaking engine. Our roadmap is packed with exciting new features - stay tuned!

We will soon organize a live training session titled 'How to Innofuse.' If you would like to register for this training, simply join the Initiative on the Innofuse platform. Instructions on how to find it are provided at the bottom of this article.

# What’s in It for You
To support our early adopters, we’ve extended the early bird offer throughout the onboarding phase. Membership prices will increase gradually as we grow, so the sooner you join, the more you’ll save.
Additionally, we are partnering with third parties to offer our members access to a wide range of valuable services at favorable rates. These services span across moderation, innovation consulting, individual development and mental health support, including burnout prevention - ensuring that our members have the tools they need to thrive in all aspects of their professional journey.
We’re delighted to welcome members from a wide range of industries and sectors, all interested in becoming part of this collaborative innovation ecosystem.

**Get your memebership** [HERE](https://www.innofuse.swiss/products)

# Upcoming Events
Our first event will be the Inauguration Party at our physical space in Basel City, one tram stops from Basel SBB! This will be your opportunity to:
Learn more about Innofuse, explore our first co-creation space, meet the founding team in person We’re also inviting the 25 expert key opinion leaders who helped shape Innofuse, alongside all current and potential members.
The event will feature a special format, and yes, there will be prizes to win - rumor has it that a few memberships will be up for grabs! The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Spread the word to anyone interested in joining the Innofuse ecosystem!
Location: ORBIZ Basel, Aeschengraben 9, 4051 Basel
Date, Time: 07.11.2024, start 17:00
Duration: open end

**Register for this event:** [HERE](https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAANAAXon2LBUOEZFQVlWWUlRVEoyWTMwNjUwRDRZNDVRRS4u&lang=en)
# 
# Behind the Scenes at Innofuse
The Innofuse founder team created this section to share insides from navigating startup challenges - perfect for startups or anyone dreaming of entrepreneurship!

This edition shares insides in re-thinking company structure and corporate legal entity.
The Innofuse Founder Team, consisting of 6 founders, including 3 medical technology experts with decades of experience in research and product development, 2 senior software developers/architects, and 1 finance expert. The creation of Innofuse stems from a shared challenge: the lack of visibility and connectivity to expertise and technology in our field and across other disciplines.

### The Starting Point
Well, the idea is there. The solution has been thought through over the years, and the personas have been identified. The different "whys" for each persona type have been recognized, as well as the win-win connection in valuable interactions with a real and practical purpose - check. Realizing what an ecosystem of several thousand experts in the field of high-tech R&D could achieve if they join forces is mind-blowing. Not only does the field of action span from private to corporate and public sectors, but it also reveals surprising collaboration setups.

The scope of action within such an ecosystem ranges from collaboration to maximize innovation and value for the benefit of our members, to the ethical responsibility of letting knowledge flow between experts, students, and academia, and vice versa. It even extends to humanitarian project support, providing free access to knowledge and expertise that directly impacts people’s quality of life, such as for surgeons and clinicians, as well as involving expertise that would otherwise be lost, for example, from retired experts. The mission was clear: the importance of the solution is bigger than us, and it needs to be set up the right way. We are clearly purpose-driven.

So, what’s next? Founding the organization to give it structure, a budget, and a defined team to work and interact with other entities. But what type of organization is the right one? Talking to people reveals that 10 people will offer 8 different opinions. The purpose is not understood by everyone, which makes us scratch our heads about how to market a solution that serves 14 different sets of "whys," especially since such an ecosystem doesn't yet exist in Switzerland. But more about marketing and how we navigated that bottomless pit in another newsletter 😊.

So, the question remains: which structure? A non-profit organization since we are purpose-driven? Well, in the beginning, it wasn’t clear if we could reach the market without investors. The question of a social enterprise (non-sellable and therefore not investable by professional investors) was taken off the table, though it remains part of our credo. We state "non-profit oriented" because we aim to cover costs and further develop the Innofuse solution, prioritizing this over maximizing profit. However, we needed an organizational structure that could pull the emergency rope and call for investors. The most suitable options were a limited liability company (LLC, GmbH) or a public limited company (PLC, AG).

The decision was made democratically, with the goal of being small and as uncomplicated as possible in the founding process. Even though we had to finance ourselves like a PLC/AG (and that’s another story), we chose to establish an LLC/GmbH. We then set up the core team, the extended team, and the volunteering experts (Key Opinion Leaders) from all 14 persona types as the voice of customers from the very beginning.

### The Factor “Money”
Along the way, it became clear that our limited resources were demanding, and we knew that we would have services that help the ecosystem, individuals, and projects that would not cover their own costs through membership fees. So, we are cross-financing these activities because it is the right thing to do, and it still enriches the entire ecosystem.

### The Investor’s Dilemma
Understanding the investor landscape and the grey areas that come with different types of investors is one thing. Everyone knows how this game is played. However, one thing that wasn’t immediately clear to all of us is that the final endpoint for a company with investors in its initial setup is always the same: sell the company for a higher value than you bought it. It sounds clear and simple - right?

But what do you do with a company that is purpose-driven and has a high-impact concept, which you want to remain in the hands of those who follow its valuable mission? No matter what kind of investor, business angel, or venture capitalist you involve, they all eventually need to sell the company once it reaches a certain value. The only differences are in the timing and the risk profile.

The second eye-opener is that when the investor decides to sell the company, you might not be able to afford to buy it back - there’s almost no chance. The probability of having the funds to do so is so low that only a handful of today’s well-known, large companies have been able to pull it off.

As a result, we have stepped away from having investors as of today!

### Public Interest - Purpose Driven with Economical Impact
Partnering with public institutes and departments might come to mind for some. We did receive one inquiry from someone working for a canton department. We asked this person how much decision-making authority they had and how long it typically takes to make budget-related decisions requiring additional resources. You can imagine the answer - it wouldn’t serve the mission quickly or effectively enough.

Speaking with authorities and well-known, publicly funded, and trusted organizations revealed similar feedback: "Your solution is valid, relevant, and needed. We should invest in and support your organization." So, what’s holding them back? The answer, while surprising, is crystal clear: first, as a publicly funded organization, it is difficult to justify financial support for a for-profit entity. The process of releasing funds and convincing all stakeholders is so exhausting that the reluctance to do so seems endless. However, it's not impossible and is still under discussion…

Even though the necessity of our solution and its positive impact on the Swiss economy - both nationwide and regionally - are clear, many players (associations, foundations, etc.) struggle to help us financially. Attracted by the importance these organizations remain in contact with us and try to help. And it works, at least partially. The problem is that getting even one single Swiss Franc from these pots, feels like undertaking a complicated surgical intervention requiring the help of the entire universe.

So what’s wrong with them? Well, actually, it’s not them - it’s a choice we made early on. Being confronted with questions from these organizational leaders revealed an unseen complication:
"Who can assure us that you won’t sell the company once you reach significant and critical mass?"
"What if we finance you, and you simply shift your business model to maximize profit?"

Side note: pushing forward with an organization like Innofuse without investor support is incredibly difficult, and while it gives you credibility to some extent, it doesn’t erase the fact that you’re still able to sell the company or completely pivot your business strategy.

In the rush to get Innofuse going and to do "good things," we overlooked this perspective.

### How to Secure Additional Support for Innofuse’s Non-Profit Sector
A potential solution lies in splitting the organization into two entities. One part would remain the for-profit LLC/GmbH, while the other would be a non-profit, designed to cover only non-profit-related costs. This setup would allow us to secure funding in a non-sellable container with a clearly defined scope. 

The founder team is currently exploring different organizational structures and the legal aspects of this potential split.

We will keep you updated in the next newsletter, so stay tuned!

Thank you for being part of the Innofuse journey! We are looking forward to continuing building this community with you. Stay tuned for more updates, and we hope to see many of you at our upcoming events!


Warm regards,

**The Innofuse Founder Team**




Log in to the platform.
Go to the Innofuse Reactor, or simply use the search bar and search for the Initiative by entering "Training: How to Innofuse."
Join the Initiative by opening the Initiative's action menu and selecting "Join."
We will contact you with the next available slots and send you an invitation. We look forward to seeing you in the training!

Training: How to Innofuse

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Newsletter September 2024

What's Up at Innofuse

Innofuse Platform Launch September 6th 2024

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**Our Youtube channel is born**

**[Link](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClwfTQVOm7DjoZZT2VV5kXg)**

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Innofuse on Youtube

Dear Innovation Enthusiasts,

Wondering where Innofuse stands? Here's a brief update:

**Development:** Our web-platform modules and the Innofuse Reactor intelligence are in full steam development phase. Currently, we're operating on a two-week cycle for development, testing, and adaptation, keeping us busy and generating anticipation.
Community: We're pleased to see our early mover base constantly growing. Soon, we'll be announcing our early mover base - stay tuned or simply join the movement! 😊

**Marketing:** Our current marketing spend is 0 CHF. While some may call it a mistake, we've chosen to invest all our resources in the solution. Building our network presents a significant challenge, but we've forged connections with key institutions such as Universities, Associations, and renowned companies engaged in innovative research & development. We are starting from here!

**Contests:** We've accepted the Swiss Innovation Challenge! It's a time-intensive endeavor for a self-financed start-up racing to launch this summer. Nevertheless, it's an excellent opportunity to hone skills like pitching your company in 30 seconds, 3 minutes, and 10 minutes. Can you pitch your company in 3 minutes? It's certainly no easy feat. As a start-up, sharpening and focusing our message is a constant challenge. Condensing the essence of our company, idea, and "special sauce" into a 3-minute pitch seems impossible, but we've accepted the challenge!

**Investors Situation:** We're still standing without external investors. Let's see if we can continue to operate without business "angels".

**The Vision:** unchanged. We're creating a space where innovative minds from industry and academia converge, collide, and shape the solutions of tomorrow. Innofuse provides efficient access to expertise and technologies, creates visibility by AI-supported matchmaking algorithms and breaks silos by connecting real-field experts, all on a legal safe ground. 

Innofuse,
matching mind.


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Status Update - April 2024

We approached several experts and key opinion leaders to share their insights on the reasons behind their decision to participate in our expert team meetings (pre-go-live) and to outline the most significant benefits they anticipate through access to Innofuse. The answers speak for themselves.

"...During my professional career, I often sensed that a solution or an expert in the scientific world could help me tackle specific problems. However, finding the right person and establishing easy and reliable communication proved challenging. Innofuse addresses this challenge, offering an environment conducive to open collaboration and making knowledge sharing the norm. I am delighted to support the team in shaping this learning and interaction platform, benefiting users seeking collective creative power..."

Dr. Gerhard Bauer, retired EMB R&D and Operations at Straumann group

"...Innofuse offers an intriguing combination of an algorithmically learning system and a platform for real people interactions...."

Dr. Anja Haenzi, Research Director Global Biocompatibility at Zimmer Biomet,

"...I joined the Innofuse ETMs because they allow me to interact with creative experts in their fields, most of whom I would not have met otherwise
Helping shape Innofuse with a group of experienced innovators has prompted me to reconsider some of my approaches and beliefs in problem-solving. If Innofuse fulfills its promise to connect experts across multiple fields of expertise in a smart way, it has the potential to elevate the entire Swiss high-tech SME landscape to a new level of collaborative research and innovation..."

Dr. Adrian Spiegel, Head Clinical Affairs at Medartis AG

"...Innofuse enables me to tap into the brains of specialists in areas I am not familiar with..."
"…Innofuse provides me with faster ways to find solutions to my problems..."
"…Innofuse gives me a stage to showcase my own expertise in specific areas..."

Raoul Donath, Director at Radiometer Basel / a Danaher Company

"...Innofuse's innovative approach to making knowledge visible, fostering connections, and encouraging collective knowledge sharing has captured my interest. Engaging with innovative individuals has proven enriching and inspiring. Innofuse successfully demonstrates a pathway for exchanging knowledge with the industry, making it the network of knowledge..."

Giovanni Crupi, Zentralpräsident Swiss Engineering STV

"...The Innofuse team, in my view, is competent and authentic, making the pursuit of their idea worthwhile..." 
"...In the fast-paced world of innovations, it's crucial to efficiently utilize existing resources, considering every new idea. For FHNW to fulfill its role as an innovation driver, it should be well-versed in local and global innovation processes, actively contribute to their development, provide support when needed, and embody innovation..."

Prof. Dr. Erik Schkommodau, Director of Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics at FHNW

"...Innofuse will enable me to easily find technology partners who understand my needs..."

Dr. Lukas Eschbach, Chief Operating Officer at Agile Wind Power

"...Innovation signifies progress for humanity, and history demonstrates that it is a collaborative process. I joined Innofuse, designed as a collaborative platform, to contribute to and facilitate this progress..."
"...Innovation is a necessity; it's the key to solving imminent (big or small) problems. It's a matter close to my heart. Through experience, I've learned it's a challenging endeavor, motivating me to join Innofuse with the expectation that the platform will simplify the process..."

Dr. Dirk Uhlenhaut, Innovation & strategy consultant, founder, universal scientist

"...I appreciated the chance provided by Innofuse to network and connect with interesting individuals. I'm eager to witness the continued development of the Innofuse ecosystem under Ivan's leadership, observing the integration of new functionalities and how these features will gain momentum within their software solution..."

Alban Frei, Owner and Co-CEO at Konplan

"...I'm convinced of the importance and the key role that initiatives like yours will play in the transformation process within Switzerland's innovation ecosystem. Breaking down silos among its stakeholders will accelerate processes to reach milestones and, therefore, contribute to the generation of value for society..."

Dr. med. Gabriela P. Saborio, CSO at AMP Health Switzerland

"...I faced difficulties finding expertise for interdisciplinary projects and believe Innofuse can streamline collaborations in this regard. It offers networking opportunities to connect with experts from various fields, providing access to current knowledge, simplifying initial contacts, and helping identify optimal partners for specific projects in both industry and academia..."

Dr. Simon Berner, Head of R&D at Medicoat

"… A robust network is a crucial catalyst for driving innovation, and to stay at the forefront, continuous innovation is imperative. Having had the privilege of collaborating with exceptional individuals in the past, the ETMs (Expert Team Meetings) at Innofuse offer an opportunity to contribute to the innovation community in Basel, Switzerland. Engaging with like-minded individuals not only enhances one's knowledge but also provides a fulfilling experience of giving back to the innovation ecosystem…"

Christoph Joder, Business Development Manager at CSEM

"...My motivation to join Innofuse was the opportunity to share expertise, be part of an inspirational environment, and participate in a platform for exchanging uncommon knowledge..."

Dr. Fabian Eckermann, Head of Systems Engineering & Operations at HSE AG

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Testimonials

Dear **Future Innofuse User**,

We are in **the final phase** of the development work **before launching** Innofuse and going live in **Q2 2024**. The official launch date will be communicated during the user validation phase, taking place at the end of Q1 till the beginning of Q2 2024. We want to ensure that you will experience a robust platform from the very beginning. That's why we are committed to providing a seamless user experience.
The Innofuse web platform and community are expected to grow rapidly in the launch year. We are fully aware that **the value** of our platform and its memberships **will evolve** over time. Therefore, we plan to roll out our functionalities step by step. The learning algorithms will improve with the growing community and interactions on the platform. Consequently, the value on day 1 will be different from subsequent days and beyond. We want to be honest and transparent without making promises we can't keep or chasing rainbows.
We are committed to maintaining strong and transparent communication about advancements in our services. Our pipeline is extensive, and our backlog promises many new functionalities along the way. However, like everything else in life, we start at day 1.
Understanding the value relationship between functionality and the number of Innofuse members, **we aim to achieve two goals** simultaneously. First, we want to **reach a critical mass** of users as soon as possible. Second, we want to **reward the curiosity and experimentation spirit** of the innovators and early adopters who join the Innofuse movement from the early days.
The **final membership fees are defined** and will be establish after the ramp up phase. **A dynamic price development** will be installed with pre-defined ramp up prices based on registered member numbers. The logic is simple: **the earlier you catch your membership, the cheaper it will be**.
We call this ramp our **pre-go-live super sale**! And it will **start** on the **16th of February at exactly 12:00** (MET).
The different membership licenses will start and evolve along the registered member numbers as follows:

**Private / Single License** (max 1 license per person)

- First 100 Members – 50 CHF / year
- Next 100 Members – 250 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 500 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 1'000 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 1'200 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 1'400 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 1'600 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 1'800 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 2'000 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 2'200 CHF / year

After
- **Final Price 2'500 CHF / year**


**Corporate License** (max 29 license per company)
- First 100 Members – 200 CHF / year
- Next 100 Members – 500 CHF / year
- Next 100 Members – 800 CHF / year
- Next 200 Members – 1'200 CHF / year
- Next 200 Members – 1'500 CHF / year
- Next 200 Members – 2'000 CHF / year

After

- **Final price single license 5'000 CHF / year**
- **Final price 5 licenses 10'000 CHF / year**
- **Final price 10 licenses 15'000 CHF / year**
- **Final price unlimited model licenses 20'000 CHF / year**


**University License** (max 1x 29 license or 1x unlimited licensee model per Uni)
- First 90 Members – 100 CHF / year
- Next 90 Members – 200 CHF / year
- Next 90 Members – 300 CHF / year
- Next 60 Members – 333 CHF / year
- Next 50 Members – 350 CHF / year

After
- **Final price 30 licenses 10'000 CHF / year**
- **Final price unlimited model licenses 20'000 CHF / year**


We will display the number of registered members in real-time on our platform. Special license modalities can be requested via email at info@innofuse.swiss.
**What do you receive** with a membership at Innofuse? In brief: **access to the web platform** with all its functionalities – we do not differentiate between licenses. One license grants you access to all Innofuse features. Additionally, you will gain **access to the Innofuse co-creation office spaces** as outlined in the membership agreement. This space can be utilized as a regular office, for workshops, meetings, training sessions, networking with other members, events, and various other occasions.
Join the Innofuse movement and become part of the 1st interdisciplinary Swiss R&D Ecosystem! Get "innofused" and stay curious!

We look forward to welcoming you to our virtual and physical space.

**Your Innofuse Founder Team**,

Ivan, Bernhard, Florian, Jonas & Michela



Whats up at Innofuse

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