VNTR: Steering PostFinance towards innovative horizons

An innovation and venturing hub

VNTR champions forward-looking innovation at PostFinance by tackling unexplored themes and challenges. By analyzing trends, swiftly testing prototypes, and investing in new ventures, VNTR brings future-oriented solutions to market. To streamline innovation efforts, PostFinance adopted ITONICS, establishing a central platform for continuous innovation.

With a single source of truth for innovation intelligence, VNTR ensures actions are aligned with strategy, and strategy is informed by data—to scale and sustain growth at PostFinance. 

Objectives of implementing a central innovation platform

Streamline innovation process: A central location for all innovation-related data, including trends, startups, opportunities, projects, and evidence

Make the future tangible: An integrated trend management process to provide a clear framework for identifying and developing new opportunities

Prioritize projects effectively: Simplifying and automating portfolio management to help prioritize projects and allocate resources effectively

Perfecting the innovation process

Since its inception, VNTR has refined its processes and perfected the Horizon 3 innovation process. In doing so, it has established a structured and transparent approach to fostering innovation at PostFinance.

Achievements

• Centralized data access: ITONICS centralizes innovation intelligence and efforts at PostFinance, ensuring easy access for all stakeholders and enhancing data-driven decision-making.
• Flexible and robust control: The platform facilitates precise portfolio management, enabling customized oversight and strategic alignment of innovation initiatives.
• Enhanced collaboration: The adoption of a unified platform has dismantled silos within PostFinance, fostering robust cross-departmental collaboration that enhances innovative outcomes.
• End-to-end traceability: Each innovation initiative can now be traced from its origin through to specific technologies, trends, and signals, enhancing accountability and insight.
• Transparent management: Different innovation teams can now manage and present their exploration portfolios with clarity, allowing for individualized and effective oversight.
• New growth opportunities: Integration of foresight activities into the ongoing innovation process ensures that PostFinance captures emerging growth opportunities and remains ahead of future trends.

Future horizons with ITONICS

Originally launched within VNTR, ITONICS is now used across PostFinance, empowering cross-functional teams to advance innovative projects across all three strategic horizons. This expansion ensures that, from the earliest stages, every type of innovation is nurtured on a unified platform. In this time, the user base has grown from just 20 initial adopters to over 100. Looking ahead, PostFinance will explore new connections between its implementation process and ITONICS, reflecting the platform's integral role in shaping innovation at PostFinance.