© Daniel EbneterDaniel Ebneter, CEO of Karger Publishers will be on this year’s CONTENTshift jury. Karger is a globally active medical and scientific publishing company and the largest of its kind in Switzerland.
You are a member of this year’s CONTENTshift jury. How did you find out about our accelerator?
Our “Strategy, Innovation & Ventures” team attended the CONTENTshift award ceremony at the Frankfurt Book Fair last year. When the idea of getting involved ourselves came up, I immediately gave my approval. Innovation has always been part of our DNA at Karger, and a lively exchange with today’s vibrant founders’ scene is a large part of that. I am personally very much looking forward to contributing my many years of experience in publishing and digital business to the programme this year.
Do you already work with startups?
We do. In fact, Karger has been working with a number of different startups for a long time. For example, we help young companies with product development and marketing, and we also serve as a sparring partner for ideas and business models. We’ve also invested in individual startups.
What exactly do you hope to get out of working with startups?
I believe that all forms of dialogue – whether among established market players or with promising young startups – provide an opportunity for further development. Ideally, the programme will enable both sides to gain new perspectives and generate innovative approaches that move the industry forward as a whole.
Is there an area that offers particularly exciting opportunities for cooperation?
Given the ever-increasing flow of information these days, our focus is more and more on the issues of time and orientation. This means that companies dealing with “curating” and “transparency” are especially interesting to us. Our ultimate goal is to make researchers’ lives easier, whether via superior technology or the innovative use of networks, for example, in the process of peer review.
Is there something you’re especially looking forward to in the CONTENTshift programme?
I’m looking forward to exciting new ideas, great conversations and a fruitful exchange of knowledge between participating companies and the jury.
Interview: Christiane Petersen
© Photo: Daniel Ebneter