Your Ideas Deserve to Succeed

I guide innovators from the first spark to fully realised solutions — including business models, product strategy, and mass production.

A Trusted Expert Behind the Scenes

Quietly supporting global innovation teams, scale-up initiatives, and executive education – without ever needing the spotlight.

Trusted by global innovators
Brought in when clarity matters most
Supporting the ones who shape the future
I can warmly recommend Dr Thoben not only as an excellent manager but also as an excellent initiator of creative and innovation processes. She is a very versatile and experienced guide and leader, a talented and highly inspiring person. I can only recommend her thoughtful and prudent ways of interacting with colleagues and clients.
Franz Fehrenbach
Chairman Supervisory Board, Robert Bosch GmbH
I can warmly recommend Dr Thoben not only as an excellent manager but also as an excellent initiator of creative and innovation processes. She is a very versatile and experienced guide and leader, a talented and highly inspiring person. I can only recommend her thoughtful and prudent ways of interacting with colleagues and clients.
Franz Fehrenbach
Chairman Supervisory Board, Robert Bosch GmbH
I can warmly recommend Dr Thoben not only as an excellent manager but also as an excellent initiator of creative and innovation processes. She is a very versatile and experienced guide and leader, a talented and highly inspiring person. I can only recommend her thoughtful and prudent ways of interacting with colleagues and clients.
Franz Fehrenbach
Chairman Supervisory Board, Robert Bosch GmbH
I can warmly recommend Dr Thoben not only as an excellent manager but also as an excellent initiator of creative and innovation processes. She is a very versatile and experienced guide and leader, a talented and highly inspiring person. I can only recommend her thoughtful and prudent ways of interacting with colleagues and clients.
Franz Fehrenbach
Chairman Supervisory Board, Robert Bosch GmbH
I can warmly recommend Dr Thoben not only as an excellent manager but also as an excellent initiator of creative and innovation processes. She is a very versatile and experienced guide and leader, a talented and highly inspiring person. I can only recommend her thoughtful and prudent ways of interacting with colleagues and clients.
Franz Fehrenbach
Chairman Supervisory Board, Robert Bosch GmbH
I can warmly recommend Dr Thoben not only as an excellent manager but also as an excellent initiator of creative and innovation processes. She is a very versatile and experienced guide and leader, a talented and highly inspiring person. I can only recommend her thoughtful and prudent ways of interacting with colleagues and clients.
Franz Fehrenbach
Chairman Supervisory Board, Robert Bosch GmbH

Who I Help

Supporting innovation managers, startups, and R&D teams with expert guidance to align strategy, validate ideas, and drive business-focused innovation. From early-stage concepts to scalable implementation, I help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.

Innovation Managers

I help you build trust across silos, translate strategic goals into action, and design innovation processes that actually work – globally.

Let's Talk

Startups & Founders

From concept to collaboration – I show you how to validate your idea, connect with corporates, and build a business that scales with confidence.

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R&D Teams

I guide technical teams to think beyond the lab – aligning their solutions with customer needs, business models, and aligning with business priorities.

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Tailored Innovation Support at Every Stage

No matter where you are in your innovation journey — exploring ideas, building momentum, or leading organisational change — I offer guidance that adapts to your pace and ambition.

Clarity Call
Focused Coaching
Advisory Support
Ideal for
New clients or curious founders
Startups ready to build and grow
Corporate clients needing custom solutions
Format
Online / 30 mins
3 online sessions
Flexible setup
Investment
Free
EUR 395
Tailored Offer

Interested? Get in touch

Even one conversation can bring clarity.

How It Works

From Clarity to Implementation — Together

Every project begins with a conversation. Whether you're a startup founder, innovation manager, or R&D lead, we work side by side to transform your ideas into outcomes — with structure, trust, and just the right challenge.

Date

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We Start with Your Context

We explore your goals, team dynamics, and where you feel stuck. This can be a discovery call, a deep-dive session, or an informal briefing. You’ll be heard — and you’ll leave with more clarity than you came with.

Let’s Talk
We Co-Create a Clear Path Forward

Based on your needs, we define next steps: a tailored coaching programme, a strategy sprint, or consulting support. I’ll guide the process — you’ll drive the momentum.

Let’s Talk
You Apply — I Guide

Between sessions, you take action: testing approaches, engaging your team, refining your pitch, or challenging internal processes. I’m here to help you focus, reflect, and move forward strategically.

Let’s Talk
We Adjust, Iterate and Reflect

Innovation is never linear. We’ll pause, reflect, and reframe as needed — keeping your goals in sight while staying agile enough to adapt.

Let’s Talk
You Build Lasting Capability

By the end of our work together, you’ll have tools, confidence, and a practical roadmap. My goal is that you and your team don’t just solve today’s problems — you build the capability to lead the next challenge, too.

Let’s Talk
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Get Your Free Innovation Checklist

Avoid the mistakes others already made — and move forward with clarity.

10 Innovation Pitfalls to Avoid (For Startups)

Scale-Readiness Scorecard (For Innovation Managers)

No spam. Just insights that move you forward.
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Real Results

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Inspiring Innovation from the Outside In

A global tech corporation (250,000+ employees) invited me to deliver a motivational keynote series designed to energise their innovation teams across time zones. Each live session was followed by an in-depth Q&A, where I shared real-world examples and helped participants explore what success could look like in their own context. Feedback highlighted the value of hearing from someone outside the organisation — someone who understands both the challenges and the opportunities of driving innovation at scale.

Tokyo, Japan
Industrial and technology sector
Building Innovation Leadership from Scratch

A leading European manufacturer (100,000+ employees) needed to equip their newly appointed innovation manager. I supported them in shaping a clear innovation strategy, navigating internal hierarchies, and understanding what their “innovation customer” truly needs. Together, we explored out-of-the-box thinking, strategic positioning, and how to turn intuition and serendipity into structured action.

Geneva, Switzerland
Energy sector
Investor Readiness for a Scaling Startup

A deep-tech startup preparing for their C-Round funding sought clarity and traction. Through targeted mentoring, I helped them refine their value proposition, understand what corporates look for when investing, and sharpen their pitch for VCs. When possible, I also connected them with relevant contacts in my network — always with confidentiality and alignment in mind.

Lausanne, Switzerland
Technology sector

Our Team

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Dr.-Ing. Birgit Thoben
Strategic Innovation Leader · EU Expert · Trusted Partner for Scalable Impact

I help innovators and teams turn potential into real-world progress. With over 20 years of experience across global innovation systems — from Bosch to Brussels to Birmingham — I’ve worked at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and execution.

Whether I’m advising a founder raising capital or guiding a corporate team through strategic transformation, my role is to ask the questions that unlock clarity. Clients often tell me, “That’s something I never would’ve thought of.” Over time, many of these working relationships turn into long-standing partnerships based on trust, insight, and shared progress.

Global Innovation Manager, Bosch – led 1,000+ projects across 1,600+ employees

EIC Scaling Club Mentor (Energy sector)

Evaluator, Reviewer & Innovation Radar Expert, European Commission, Hydrogen Europe, European Innovation Council

Innosuisse Expert – Hydrogen, Innovation & Business Models

Honorary Professor, University of Birmingham – Entrepreneurial Education

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An image of Robert Giezendanner-Thoben
Robert Giezendanner-Thoben
Innovation Strategist & Ecosystem Architect

I help organizations turn complexity into clarity—and innovation into business. With over 20years of experience across research, industry, and academia—from EPFL and Robert Boschto DLR—I work at the intersection of strategic innovation, technology translation, andecosystem building.

My focus is on creating the conditions—frameworks, partnerships, and environments—thatallow deep science and technology to generate real-world value. At EPFL, I led initiativeslike KNOVA and innovation park expansions; today, I continue this mission as Co-Directorad interim of CGES, a national initiative accelerating innovation in green energy and storage. Whether building long-term partnerships or designing scalable innovation systems, I helpteams align technology with strategy and navigate transformation with clarity. Clients workwith me when they need more than technical advice—they need someone who can structurevision into action.

I’m also advancing my practice through an Executive Certificate in Innovation and Strategyat MIT Sloan, focusing on AI, pricing, and macroeconomic thinking.

Co-Director ad interim, CGES – building a national platform to acceleration energytransition

Former Director of Industry Affairs, EPFL – led deep-tech partnerships and strategicprograms

Board Member, EPFL Innovation Park Foundation & Bluefactory SA – guidinginnovation infrastructure and governance

Initiated pioneering collaboration environments (KNOVA at EPFL, Atelier130 at RobertBosch)

Expert in translating science and technology into business growth

Designs frameworks that connect people, innovation, and strategic outcomes

Personal Coaching

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Basic plan
€ 147
plus VAT
Includes:
1x 45 Minutes 1:1 Coaching via Zoom
Recording of Session
Tasks

No risk - if you are not satisfied, 
you get 100% money back.

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Business plan
€ 397
plus VAT
Includes:
3x 45 Minutes 1:1 Coaching via Zoom
Recording of Sessions
Tasks
Email Support

No risk - if you are not satisfied, 
you get 100% money back.

Money back guarantee badge
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FAQs

Find answers to common questions about coaching and our services.

Getting Started
How do we begin working together?

Just book a free Discovery Call through my calendar link — we’ll explore your goals, and you’ll get clarity on the best next step.

How do I book sessions after that?

You’ll receive a link to schedule your sessions directly. If you need to change or reschedule, just follow the link — it’s all self-service.

Do you offer in-person sessions?

Yes. I’m happy to meet in person — just note that travel costs and accommodation must be covered by the client.

Logistics & Payment
How can I pay?

Startups can pay by credit card or invoice. Payment can be made in full or split: 50% upfront and the rest after the final session. For corporates, full upfront payment by invoice is also possible.

Can I pay in EUR / USD or do I need to pay in Swiss Francs?

Future.Solutions has a dedicated EUR account — no extra fees apply when using SEPA bank transfers. A USD account is also available. Just let me know your preferred currency, and I’ll guide you to the most cost-effective option.

Can I use PayPal or a credit card to pay?

Yes — credit card and PayPal payments are accepted. Stripe is used for secure processing, and you’ll receive a receipt or invoice based on your selection.

Is it possible to receive an invoice before I pay?

Absolutely. Especially for corporate clients, I provide an official invoice before payment. Full or partial pre-payment options are available, depending on the service.

Trust & Confidentiality
Is our work confidential?

Absolutely. I treat all client information with the highest confidentiality. I’m also happy to sign an NDA at the beginning of our collaboration.

How do you handle confidential information during our sessions?

All sessions are treated with full discretion. Notes and materials are stored securely and never shared without explicit permission. I work with sensitive innovation topics daily and understand the importance of trust, privacy, and non-disclosure — whether an NDA is signed or not.

Do you ever reference client work publicly?

Never. Unless explicitly agreed in writing, I do not name clients, share project details, or use examples in public talks or case studies. Even anonymised results are only used with consent — confidentiality is a cornerstone of how I work.

Lets’s Talk

Even one conversation can bring clarity.