Hi. I am Steffen.
Engineer, Entrepreneur & Optimist.
Having an idea is easy. Bringing that idea to life is not.
I work with people who want to make something happen—in their organisation, in a new business or in their own working life.
About me
From corporate work
to my own business.
I am an engineer and entrepreneur. I spent twelve years in multinational corporate environments, including Procter & Gamble, before co-founding a social enterprise in 2010. We set out to develop a better way to produce electricity using renewable energy.
Since then, I have worked with businesses, start-ups, NGOs and humanitarian organisations. My experience ranges from production planning and business turnaround to a low-cost inflatable fridge and a project to improve the identification of victims of natural disasters.
I believe some of our most important business opportunities come from treating people and our planet's resources better. That is the kind of work I want to support.
My old website talked about incubating ideas. Today, I start with the people behind them: what matters to them, what they want to do and what they need to make it happen. This is why I am building innovating.work.
How I work
I have lived the challenges
of bringing an idea to life.
I know the methods. More importantly, I have used them in my own ventures and in projects with others.
01 / PEOPLE
Start with the person
I want to understand what you are trying to do and why it matters to you. A business idea is only part of that conversation. The people who will do the work matter just as much.
02 / IDEAS
Try things out
I use Lean Startup, human-centred design and Blue Ocean Strategy to explore ideas and test them. These are useful tools, not a recipe that fits every situation.
03 / AI
Put AI to work
I use AI in my own work and help others use it. For someone working alone or in a small team, it opens up possibilities that would otherwise take more time and resources.
Projects
Some of the work
I have been involved in.
Corporate operations
Production planning for two plants supplying 28 countries. Market research to understand customers better. Helping a safety-equipment business unit return to growth.
Renewable energy
Co-founding a social enterprise in 2010 to develop a different approach to decentralised electricity generation. This was my own move from corporate work into entrepreneurship.
Humanitarian innovation
At the CERN / THE Port hackathon in 2014, I worked on a $10 inflatable fridge. I was also involved in the Better Body Bag project with the International Committee of the Red Cross, exploring better ways to identify victims of natural disasters.
Social and environmental projects
Developing a concept for the Building of the Future to meet EU environmental goals. Supporting an NGO with chlorine production to fight waterborne disease. Working through Acumen on better food choices.
Today
What I am doing now.
das Atelier
My dream has long been to build an incubator. With das Atelier, I am building a company builder that starts with the founder, rather than the founding idea. What does this person want to contribute? And what kind of business could grow from that?
The Game-Changer Journey
I work with people who feel that their current working environment no longer fits them. The Journey helps them explore what matters to them, what they need from their work and what they want to do next.
Consulting, training and speaking
I support organisations with innovation and new business models. I also give talks and run workshops on innovation, practical AI use and the people behind the work.
Background
Education and training.
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
- INSEAD MBA
- LEAN-certified
- Certified MBTI Practitioner
- Training in human-centred design; experience with Lean Startup and Blue Ocean Strategy
- I speak German, English and French.
Work with me
How can I help?
For organisations
If you are working on an innovation project, exploring a new business model or looking to use AI in your team, let's talk.
More about working with organisationsFor individuals
If your work no longer feels right, the quiz is a place to start. It helps you explore the kind of environment you need.
Take the quizFor events and training
If you are looking for a speaker or trainer, tell me about your audience and what you would like them to take away.
Ask about a talk or workshopContact
Tell me what you are working on.
If you have a question or a challenge you would like to discuss, get in touch.
Steffen Raetzer · innovating.work