The collaboration with Ahead was more than just support for DrM — it was a true catalyst.
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Are you looking to develop a new product or service, improve your processes, introduce new technologies or strengthen your business model?
We support SMEs in the Greater Zurich Area in turning concrete business challenges into well-structured innovation projects. Together, we assess feasibility, define the right approach and prepare the project for implementation.
Our advice is independent and tailored to your company. Where needed, we also connect you with specialists, research partners and suitable funding opportunities.
Your company can receive up to 35 hours of advisory support at no cost.
Innovation consulting is aimed at SMEs with an established business that want to develop and implement an innovative idea or a specific innovation project within their company. If you are starting a business, developing a new business idea, or need support with operational topics such as marketing, sales, or business development, our start-up consulting service will support you.
You do not need to have a fully developed solution before contacting us. You may want to improve an existing process, explore a new technology or respond to changes in your market.
Together, we clarify:
This gives you a solid basis for deciding how to move forward.
We help you assess and further develop products, services and business models, with a focus on customer value, market potential and commercial viability.
We analyse your processes, identify suitable digital solutions and assess which technologies fit your company.
Together with specialised partners, we address questions relating to production, materials, data, artificial intelligence, research and intellectual property.
We assess suitable funding opportunities and connect you with research, technology and implementation partners where needed.
We review your current setup, the potential of your project and the most important open questions.
You receive an initial assessment of feasibility, risks and the most appropriate way forward.
Up to 5 hours at no cost
We explore the key questions in greater depth and develop a solid basis for implementation. Depending on the project, we involve suitable specialists from our network.
Up to 30 additional hours at no cost
You receive clear priorities, concrete next steps and a sound basis for decision-making. Where appropriate, we connect you with suitable partners or continue supporting you on a fee-paying basis.
Depending on your project, you will receive:
Tell us briefly what you would like to develop, improve or change. In an initial meeting, we will discuss your project and determine how we can support you.
Strategic and technological expertise for your SME
Development of new business models, services, products, and processes
Access to partners, funding opportunities and expert network
Free initial consultation & status quo analysis
Free project development & funding strategy (up to 30 hours)
Advanced advisory & implementation preparation (up to 30 hours)
Focus (at least one of the following)
No-obligation initial contact
Assessment (first 5 hours free)
Initial project support (up to 30 hours free)
In-depth project support (up to 30 hours with fees)
Depending on the project, we bring in experienced specialists from our network in technology, research, digitalisation, food innovation and business development.
Technology and Innovation Funding | Innosuisse Mentor
Leendert den Haan is an accredited Innosuisse Innovation Mentor who supports SMEs with technology-driven innovation projects. A qualified engineer, he brings experience from the aerospace, medical technology, plastics and automotive industries and connects companies with research institutions and funding partners.
Food Innovation | Swiss Food Research
Dr. Lucas Grob is CEO of Swiss Food Research and holds a doctorate in food process engineering from ETH Zurich. He helps companies turn scientific knowledge into tangible food innovations and connects them with suitable research and industry partners.
Digital Business Models and Product Development | mühlemann+popp
Markus Popp is co-founder and CEO of mühlemann+popp, where he develops digital products and business models. An ETH MTEC graduate, he combines technology, product development and business model innovation.
Business Innovation & Future of Work | BOSSOW Strategy. Transfer. Impact.
Artificial Intelligence & Automation | AKI Solutions
Andy Huber is a Senior AI Advisor at AKI Solutions, where he supports companies in the strategic use of artificial intelligence and automation. He combines many years of experience in senior B2B, sales, and e-commerce roles with practical expertise in AI strategy, process automation, and change management. As a lecturer at HWZ and host of the HUBER Business AI Podcast, he provides practical insights into how new technological possibilities can be turned into concrete applications and measurable business value for companies.
Technology and Innovation Expert | Hightech Zentrum Aargau (HTZ)
Renato Franchetto combines technical expertise with a strong business perspective. With a background in electrical engineering and business administration, he supports SMEs with product, process and business model innovation and brings experience from international companies, turnarounds and start-ups.
Applied AI & Data Science for Industry | Swiss Data Science Center
Dr. Anna Fournier designs tailored AI solutions that solve business problems in regulated industries including pharma and medtech. Her expertise spans process automation, drug repurposing, anomaly detection, AI-powered knowledge systems (RAG), and building reliable models from small datasets. She leads the Canton of Zurich’s SME AI Program and lectures in executive programs at ETH Zurich and HSLU.
Technology and Innovation Expert | Hightech Zentrum Aargau (HTZ)
Thomas Knecht is a materials scientist specialising in product development and medical technology. He supports innovation projects from initial feasibility assessment through to industrialisation, drawing on experience from start-ups, large corporations and development projects.
Team and Organisational Development | Laura Iseli
Laura Iseli supports organisations through structural and cultural change processes, drawing on a systemic perspective and a broad range of methods. With more than ten years of experience in facilitation, stakeholder engagement and co-creation, she helps organisations shape change effectively.
Technology and Innovation Expert | Hightech Zentrum Aargau (HTZ)
Marco Romanelli combines expertise in electrical engineering and business administration with many years of experience in knowledge and technology transfer. He supports SMEs with high-tech, materials and nanotechnology projects and helps them establish suitable research and development partnerships.
Technology and Innovation Expert | Hightech Zentrum Aargau (HTZ)
Christoph Brunschwiler is an ETH Zurich-trained food scientist specialising in product, process and materials development. His experience ranges from analytics and applied research to the industrialisation of new production lines and the management of research and development projects.
Processes, ERP and Digital Implementation | busch-consulting
Roger Busch combines more than 20 years of IT experience with operational leadership experience as a COO and CEO. He supports SMEs with process analysis, the selection of ERP and software systems, and the structured implementation of digital transformation projects.
Data Science & AI for Industry | Swiss Data Science Center
Experienced Data Science and AI leader with a PhD from ETH Zurich and a strong track record of delivering AI solutions across sectors including energy, manufacturing, retail, advertising, and the public sector. Has led projects from business problem identification and solution design to hands-on development, deployment, and industrialization, combining deep technical expertise with project and team leadership. Supports organizations in developing and integrating AI strategies into their business processes and translating them into practical, scalable solutions.
Digital Transformation and Innovation Strategy | Digitalrat
Kevin Klak advises SME management teams and boards on digitalisation, technology and innovation. As an independent digital advisor, he assesses opportunities, risks and emerging business models and translates digital topics into concrete business decisions.
Applied Data Science & Product Development | Swiss Data Science Center
Oliver is a Data Scientist at the Swiss Data Science Center, where he develops data-driven solutions for complex technical and domain-specific challenges. He combines rigorous data science with user-centered product development to create practical workflows and solutions
“Competent consulting combined with fresh ideas and genuine commitment. Ahead took the time to really understand our situation and supported us with thoughtful, valuable recommendations. We are happy to recommend Ahead to others.”
Schmid AG – Entsorgung und Recycling
«Wir hatten Projekte, bei denen wir einfach nicht weiterwussten – oder für die uns die Ressourcen fehlten, diese priorisiert anzugehen.»
Dr. Tizian Bucher
R&D Manager bei DrM
«Das Coaching war nicht nur professionell, sondern auch praxisnah und inspirierend. Es hat uns auf den Punkt gebracht, was wir konkret verändern müssen – und warum.»
Markus Renevey
Gründer und Geschäftsführer
Swiss Resilience Hub AG
«Wer Innovation wirklich leben will, braucht Partner, die verstehen, wie KMU ticken – und wie man komplexe Anforderungen gemeinsam meistert. Genau das haben wir in diesem Programm gefunden.»
Myriam Lingg
Mitgründerin und CEO von macu4
«Wir wussten, dass wir neue Wege gehen müssen – aber nicht genau, wie wir starten sollen. Da hat uns Ahead enorm geholfen.»
Raphael Londero
CEO Londero GmbH
«Wir bedanken uns beim Ahead Team für die praxisnahe und vernetzte Unterstützung und empfehlen, das Angebot allen KMU, die ihre Projekte gezielt voranbringen möchten – unabhängig von ihrer Branche und Unternehmensgrösse.»
Simon und Tanja Schmid
Mitinhaber und Geschäftsleitung
S&B Institut für Berufs- und Lebensgestaltung AG
«Dank der Begleitung konnten wir sicherstellen, dass unser geistiges Eigentum optimal geschützt ist. Das war für uns ein entscheidender Faktor – nicht nur für die jetzige Innovation, sondern als Basis für unser weiteres Wachstum.»
Silvan Leibacher
Gründer und Geschäftsführer EggField
Our experts combine expertise in business, strategy, and technology with many years of industry experience. They are well connected in their fields, know the Swiss innovation landscape inside out, and support SMEs in implementing innovation projects – including funding instruments and partner networks.
Introduce your company, its context, and your current challenge. First ideas or objectives are more than enough – they can still be vague or open. Together we’ll assess your innovation potential and define concrete next steps. Up to 5 hours of free consultation are available, which can also be spread across several meetings if needed.
Ideally, the person driving the innovation initiative, along with a decision-maker from management or someone with the necessary mandate. Of course, it’s up to you to decide who from your company makes the most sense to have at the table.
Absolutely. Innovation doesn’t only come from groundbreaking inventions—it often emerges through small but powerful levers: digitalization, new materials, streamlined processes, adjustments in organization and culture, or collaboration with universities and partners. Which of these opportunities exist in your company is something we’ll explore together in the initial consultation.
Together, we assess the feasibility of your idea, set priorities, and design a suitable approach. If needed, we connect you with partners and clarify funding options. You receive up to 30 hours of free support. For more advanced work, we offer in-depth advisory services of up to 30 hours (CHF 165/hour).
Above all: openness, curiosity, and the willingness to invest personnel and financial resources over time. Innovation succeeds when external collaboration is possible—and when the leadership team actively supports the initiative.
No, only indirectly. We support you by providing expertise, connecting you with subject-specific experts, offering guidance within the funding landscape, and assisting with applications. We also share practical knowledge and can draw on a broad partner network.
SMEs can benefit from government funding programs and other instruments. Since the funding landscape is complex, it’s helpful to have support navigating it. Our innovation experts have a good overview and help identify suitable funding opportunities.
Often, it’s limited financial and human resources. In our experience, strong support from company leadership is crucial – both in the planning phase and during implementation – and plays a key role in a project’s success.
Partnerships with larger companies or startups can give your SME access to resources, expertise, research findings, and networks that may not be available within your company – helping you take a significant step forward with your innovation efforts.