Start.Innovating.Work

 Introduction and Vision

At a first glance, it might seem that this site is about training and coaching. It is, but it is also so much more. My name is Steffen Raetzer, and I’ve been on an adventure for several years—one that’s driven by a desire to make meaningful change. After spending 12 years in a corporate environment, I became fed up with the "normal" way of working. I was tired of office politics, endless pointless meetings, and the constant feeling that something important was missing.

This world has enough plastic gadgets, shampoo variations, and pizza delivery apps. What we need are answers to the big challenges of today. And for me, two challenges stand out:

• Sustainability: Ensuring we can live on this planet for another thousand years at the same quality of life or better. If we stay on the current course, we only have a few decades left.
• Compassion: Reshaping our relationships within the human race, especially as automation and digitization become more widespread.

Many people agree on these challenges, and I’ve spoken to countless individuals who want to contribute to making a change in these areas.

Mission

Start.Innovating.Work was born out of a desire to tackle these challenges. Initially, the aim was simple: ensure more innovative ideas survive. Today, we lose 90% of funded innovative ideas, and that’s just not acceptable. Over time, this project evolved into something much more. Our research revealed that most innovative projects fail not because of the ideas themselves, but because we don’t take care of the people behind those ideas. The same applies to almost every aspect of work today.

My mission is to ensure more innovation survives. But as it turns out, the best way to do that is to create better workplaces. So, the goal of Start.Innovating.Work has become broader—creating environments where people can thrive, contribute, and innovate effectively.

The Innovating Work Approach

Our approach is different. It’s bold. It’s simple, really, and yet so very different from the status quo. After extensive research and several iterations, I believe we’re onto something that works. We focus on building work environments where people, not just ideas, are the priority. We create workplaces that allow individuals to thrive, which in turn, increases the survival rate of innovative ideas.

This approach is particularly well-suited for individuals who feel that today’s process and goal-based work environments are not made for them. If you’re looking for something different for your work, you’re in the right place.

What We Offer

We offer more than just coaching and training. We offer a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to creating better workplaces—places where amazing people can thrive and do the work that truly matters to them. We’ve developed specific programs and a supportive ecosystem to foster this kind of environment, and we’re excited to share this with you.

Who We Serve

This project is aimed at anyone who feels out of place in today’s traditional work environments, especially those who are passionate about sustainability and compassion. Whether you’re an innovator, entrepreneur, or someone looking for a new way to engage with your work, you’ll find a home here.

Values and Philosophy

At the heart of Start.Innovating.Work are core values of purpose-driven work, collaboration, inclusivity, and long-term impact. We believe in creating a workplace that’s not just better, but fundamentally different—one that prioritizes human connections and meaningful contributions over short-term gains.

Impact and Achievements

Our journey has been one of discovery and refinement. We’ve gathered insights from numerous interviews, research studies, and practical implementations. We’ve worked with organizations like CERN and the International Red Cross, and our findings have shown that this approach works—it helps people thrive, and it increases the success rate of innovative ideas.

Call to Action

I invite you to join this conversation. Let’s discuss how we can create better workplaces together. Whether you want to learn more, contribute your ideas, or simply connect with others who share this vision, you’re welcome here. Let’s have people thrive as they do the things they feel are important. And if it all works out, we might just create the kind of workplace that delivers exactly that.

Is that a conversation worth having? I believe so. Do you?

Contact Information

If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, please reach out. I would love to connect and explore how we can work together to make a difference.

Steffen Raetzer
Engineer, Entrepreneur & Optimist