Skip to content

innovation-brunch-logo

LAKE ZURICH
June 17, 2026

BOOKED OUT

Co-hosted by

Combined Logo_Vorwerk_VNTR1774618904
  • Location: Vorwerk Home, Roosstrasse 23, 8832 Wollerau, Switzerland
  • Time: 09:00 - 14:00 CET

Entering the next era of innovation – Is AI already a game changer
or just empty talk?

AI is everywhere - tools, pilots, bold promises. But what’s truly delivering impact? And what does it take to scale AI across the organization instead of just talking about it?

From AI hype to real innovation impact

On June 17, more than 50 innovation leaders came together at Lake Zurich for the ITONICS Innovation Brunch Switzerland, co-hosted by Vorwerk Group and VNTR Innovation & Venturing by PostFinance.

Under the theme “Entering the next era of innovation: Is AI already a game changer or just empty talk?”, we moved beyond the AI hype to explore where artificial intelligence is already changing how organizations innovate and where the gap between promise and impact remains.

Through practical keynotes, interactive roundtables, and open peer-to-peer discussions, participants explored what it takes to turn AI, foresight, and customer insights into measurable business impact.

AI has no shortage of attention. But implementing it successfully across innovation processes is a very different challenge.

Throughout the morning, our speakers and participants shared experiences from their own organizations and discussed where AI is already delivering value, where human judgment remains essential, and what organizations need to move from isolated use cases to meaningful adoption.

The conversations went beyond technology itself. They touched on the structures, processes, data, capabilities, and organizational mindsets needed to make AI a real part of how companies identify opportunities, make decisions, and innovate.

Highlights from the Innovation Brunch

More than 50 senior leaders from innovation, strategy, R&D, and related functions joined us in Wollerau for a morning of candid conversations and cross-industry exchange.

Together, we explored:

  • How AI research can translate into tangible business value

  • What AI adoption looks like in innovation practice

  • How strategic foresight helps organizations anticipate what comes next

  • How customer and market insights can inform better innovation decisions

  • What prevents promising AI use cases from scaling across organizations

  • How companies can combine human expertise and AI to create measurable impact

Rather than another conversation about what AI could do, the focus was on what organizations are actually doing today and what they are learning along the way.

Impressions of our latest Innovation Brunches

Agenda

09:00
-
09:30

Arrival & Coffee

Relaxed arrival with a cup of coffee and a light breakfast

09:30
-
09:45

Opening & Welcome

Michael Hosse (Vorwerk), Olivier Weiss (VNTR), Dr. Michael Durst (ITONICS)

09:45
-
10:05

Impulse Talk | From the Lab to the Real World: AI Research for Business Value

Khalil Bawar, Head of Innovation Design at PostFinance

10:05
-
10:25

Keynote | AI & Innovation at Vorwerk

Julius Ganns, CPO, Vorwerk

10:25
-
10:40

Introduction of Roundtable Discussions

10:40
-
11:25

Roundtable Discussion I

AI in Practice: What Are We Really Using Today - And What Difference Does It Make?

11:25
-
11:40

☕ Coffee Break

11:40
-
12:00

Case Study | Engineering the Future: A Systematic Approach to Anticipating What's Next in Food & Snacking

Serhiy Kalinovsky, Strategic Foresight Global Lead at Mondelēz International

12:00
-
12:45

Roundtable Discussion II

From First AI Use Cases to Real Adoption: What Needs to Change Inside the Organization?

12:45
-
13:00

Closing & Wrap-up

Michael Hosse (Vorwerk), Olivier Weiss (VNTR), Dr. Michael Durst (ITONICS)

13:00
-
14:00

🍴 Lunch & Open Networking

Extend conversations and build connections in an informal setting.

Co-hosts

 Vorwerk_Logo

Vorwerk is a globally operating family enterprise headquartered in Germany, known for its premium household products and strong direct sales model. With a history spanning more than 140 years, Vorwerk combines tradition with innovation, continuously evolving its portfolio through cutting-edge technology and customer-centric solutions. The company is particularly recognized for iconic products such as the Thermomix and Kobold, and for fostering long-term relationships with its community worldwide.

VNTR Logo

VNTR by PostFinance is the innovation and venture-building unit of PostFinance, one of Switzerland’s leading financial institutions. VNTR focuses on identifying emerging trends, fostering entrepreneurial talent, and developing forward-thinking digital solutions in the financial ecosystem. By connecting startups, corporates, and innovators, VNTR drives collaboration and accelerates the creation of impactful business models for the future of finance.

 

 

Location: Vorwerk Home & Co. KmG

Roosstrasse 23, 8832 Wollerau, Switzerland

Got more questions? We've got answers.

How do I get there?

Arrival by car from Zurich
  • Take motorway A3 direction Chur.
  • Exit at Wollerau.
  • Follow signs towards Wollerau / Zentrum.
  • Continue on Roosstrasse to Roosstrasse 23, 8832 Wollerau.
  • Total travel time: approx. 20–25 minutes

Arrival by car from Chur
  • Take motorway A3 direction Zurich.
  • Exit at Wollerau.
  • Follow signs towards Wollerau / Zentrum.
  • Continue on Roosstrasse to Roosstrasse 23, 8832 Wollerau.
  • Total travel time: approx. 20–25 minutes

Arrival by public transports from Zurich Main Station
  • Take S-Bahn S8 (direction Pfäffikon SZ / Rapperswil) from Zürich HB → Get off Richterswil (Exit Seestrasse)
  • From Richterswil station, take the
    • bus line 175 (direction Wollerau/ Oswäldi) → Get off Wollerau, Sonnenberg OR
    • bus line 176 (direction Wollerau/ Roos) → Get off Wollerau, Obermühle
  • From the stop, it is a short walk to Roosstrasse 23

Arrival by public transports from Zurich Airport
  • Take S-Bahn S2 (direction Ziegelbrücke) from Zürich Airport → Get off Richterswil (Exit Seestrasse)
  • From Richterswil station, take the
    • bus line 175 (direction Wollerau/ Oswäldi) → Get off Wollerau, Sonnenberg OR
    • bus line 176 (direction Wollerau/ Roos) → Get off Wollerau, Obermühle
  • From the stop, it is a short walk to Roosstrasse 23

Are there parking spots near by?

Yes. Public parking is available at the Roosparkplatz, 8832 Wollerau, Switzerland (within a few minutes’ walk of the venue at Roosstrasse 23, Wollerau).

Additional parking spaces provided by Vorwerk are also available on Verenastraße.

Please note that many parking spaces in the surrounding streets are privately assigned (marked in yellow and/or numbered) and must not be used.

Please DO NOT use the parking spaces at the adjacent supermarket.

 

 

What do I need to bring to attend the event?

You do not need to bring a ticket or a confirmation of registration. Once you have registered, you will automatically be added to the participant list.

What you do need, however, is the access code for the building. All participants will receive a separate email directly from Vorwerk containing an access code, which you must enter into a log pad to gain access to the building. 

In which language will the event be held?

 The presentations and official program will be conducted in English.

Who can I contact if I have further questions related to the event?

Please reach out to our Event Manager, Anica Spieler.

What should I do if I can no longer attend the event?

If you are unable to attend, please inform our Event Manager, Anica Spieler, in writing as soon as possible. This allows us to offer your spot to someone on the waiting list.