"Innovation": From Idea to Impact!
Your company is a technology leader in its niche—for now. Many Swiss industrial companies command top prices on the global market with their sophisticated precision products. But the competition never sleeps; it often has a better cost structure and learns quickly. Customer needs are changing. Anyone who merely develops the next version of a tried-and-true product will eventually make themselves obsolete.
How do you successfully drive innovation? And who can help you do that? That’s exactly what this session is about—concise, practical, and featuring best-practice examples from successful companies.
Take this with you
- Best Practices from the Region: How IST Turns Customers into Fans and How Federtechnik Schmid Is Tapping into New Business Areas with Sensor Technology.
- Proven methods and tools: market and IP research, ideation methodologies, and platforms with the right support for you.
- Innovation Ecosystems: How does such a system work, and how can it help me?
- Grants: Here’s How It Works in Practice!
- Access to the Network: Switzerland Innovation Park Ost is your gateway to startups and innovation platforms (be circular, Textile+, Sensor Innovation Hub)
- Direct Connections: Guided tour of the preXcon Marketplace and networking reception.
November 3, 2026
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
St. Galler Kantonalbank Halle, Content Hub Red
Splügenstrasse 12
9008 St. Gallen
|
09:30 |
„Innovation“ That Makes a Difference Hans Ebinger, Switzerland Innovation Park East |
|
09:35 |
Building a Successful Innovation Ecosystem Jennifer Kaiser-Steiner, Head of the Learning & Exchange Center, UnternehmerTUM |
|
09:50 |
Involving Customers: Using Design Thinking to Get to the Heart of the Problem Katrin Gajo, Director of R&D at IST AG |
|
10:05 |
Understanding the Market: IP and Market Research Mirko Schade, CEO of Keller Schneider AG |
|
10:15 |
Ideation Methods Lukas Schmid, Director of the IDEE Institute at OST |
|
10:25 |
Real-World Example: “Dumb” Springs + Smart Sensors Albert Enste, CEO and Owner of Federtechnik Schmid AG |
|
10:40 |
Platform Offerings: be circular, SmartTex, Sensor Innovation Hub Ruedi Wagner, Head of Innovation at Switzerland Innovation Park East |
|
10:55 |
Project Funding in Practice Andreas Kaiser, Innosuisse Mentor and Partner at Generis AG |
|
11:10 |
Networking: The preXcon Platform Marlin Ilhan, Head of Go-to-Market, Olma Trade Fairs |
|
11:20 |
Guided Tour: Market Square & Startup Corner Tour About selected exhibitors and startups |
|
11:45 |
Networking Reception Network with attendees, exhibitors, and speakers |
|
12:00 |
End of the session |
Hans Ebinger
Deputy CEO, Switzerland Innovation Park East
hans.ebinger@innovationspark-ost.ch
+41 79 245 43 22
