Our Story

Since the beginnings curiosity has been a main driver of BrainStore's development.

2023
Celebrating 25 Years

In 2023, we celebrate 25 years of BrainStore. We look back to all the fascinating challenges and the amazing people we had the privilege to work with, and the many locations we got to use for Idea Maschine workshops. We say thank you to our growing community!

2020
The Pandemic

In March 2000, Switzerland is locked down. We can no longer host Creative Workshops.

We take time for what is essential and not only for what is urgent: the Network's Purpose and Governance.

As it becomes clear that the pandemic will not end after a few months, we decide to transfer the BrainStore workshop experience into the online world and create the "Lobby," a video-chat-whiteboard environment ideally suited for change and innovation work.

After a challenging development period, the lobby is fully operational by 2022 and proves to be a fantastic efficiency booster for all our customers, making innovation work faster, more efficient, and more fulfilling.

2018
Discover Unknown Unknowns – Flexpeditions

One question keeps popping up: How do our customers identify the topics that they want to focus on? Are we working on the most critical issues or simply on the most obvious ones? Are there unknown unknowns out there that deserve e more attention? Over the years – thanks to the powerful processes – we keep discovering unknown unknowns. Based on the core building blocks, we launch a new product line: Flexpeditions - flexible expeditions to discover the unknown unknowns.

2016
Building the Network

The training leads to a growing number of people interested in integrating BrainStore into their work life or even considering opening their own BrainStore. In their organization or community. This leads to the BrainStore Partner Network and many new projects and fulfilling collaboration formats.

2015
Dare to Share

Having the DNA of Innovation at hand, the experience from the Idea Machine Process, and a powerful, proven toolset, we start to expand on our innovation training.

Sharing our experiences in many different ecosystems provides invaluable feedback and allows the BrainStore team to improve the robustness of tools and processes.

We are happy to accept speaking engagements from institutions like Cornell Univesity, St. Gall Business School (HSG), the IMD, and Creative Mornings in NYC.

2014
Deciphering the DNA of Innovation

Now it is time to consolidate all the discoveries and identify the building blocks of the "DNA of Innovation" – the perfect companion of the Idea Machine. The visualization of the DNA of Innovation is also the starting point for the next round of web-based tools for the Idea Production Process.

2011
Reboot

After the bankruptcy in 2011, we reboot the organization and decide to make some significant changes to the business model.

We get rid of corporate structures and embrace an agile working model, working from co-working spaces, and use temporary pop-up production facilities.

Last but not least: we transition from a fee-based model to the avant-garde "Pay-What-You-Wish"-model. The new organization form picks up traction very fast, and we were back in business - more robust than ever.

2008
Financial Crisis and Bankruptcy

In 2008, we are severely hit by the Global Financial Crisis. Within a very short time, our revenue droppes by 40%, and we are confronted with a significant financial loss; we file for creditor protection.

We manage the turnaround – but not fast enough for our creditors, who force us into bankruptcy in November 2011 — a final point to a three-year battle.

2002
Growing, Growing, Growing

Between 2000 and 2008, BrainStore grows and grows — every year on average + 25%. The team now has 70 employees. And we are turning into a corporation. In 2004, we sign a long-term lease for a factory building with 4000 square meters of production surface.

2001
We Build Tools

The strong demand for fresh ideas triggers the desire to streamline the brainstorming process: we want to focus on content and people. This leads to many tools.

2000
Fortune 500 Companies

Soon, our main customers are Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and leading NGOs. Our customers are BASF, BMW, P&G, Kraft, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, WWF – and many mid-size and small companies.

1999
Incredible Echo

The small store selling fresh ideas over the counter triggers a significant interest from media worldwide. BrainStore is portrayed in Time Magazine, Fast Company, Nikkei, die Zeit, NZZ, Valor Economico, BBC, etc. This leads to a strong inflow of customers – especially from large corporations.

1998
BrainStore Ltd.

Soon after opening the shop in 1998, BrainStore gets much more attention than Dactis (our former company name). We formally change the name to BrainStore Ltd in May 1998.

1997
Fresh Ideas over the Counter

On 20 November 1997, we open the first BrainStore and start selling fresh ideas over the counter. A 30-minute idea for walk-in customers costs CHF 9.90. From day one on, we are challenged with the most intriguing innovation tasks, we discover a broad variety of applications for the Idea Machine.

1997
The Idea Machine

We need reliable, scalable, and replicable processes to produce fresh ideas over the counter. We develop the Idea Machine to create fresh ideas at the push of a button.

1996
A Pop-Up Store

A pop-up store will become available in Biel/Bienne. We like the exposure to passersby and brainstorm possible alternative uses for the space. After several refinement stages, we start a wild experiment: sell fresh ideas over the counter. There are many challenges. What does such a shop look like? How do we price ideas? How do we produce fresh ideas in a reliable time frame?

1991
Experiment. Discover. Integrate.

Curiosity turns out to be a primary driver of our activities. And luckily, we have great customers who appreciate our curiosity. The editors of school newspapers complain about the lack of creativity in ads, so we bring them together with ad executives and start to create content together.

1989
The Beginnings: Dactis

Dactis, the predecessor company of BrainStore, is founded in 1989. The organization specializes in supporting students in creating school newspapers by offering training, access to source data, and advertisements for their printed school newspapers.