The Corporate Scouting Program is technology scouting as an ongoing retainer: we define fixed search fields with you, scout continuously, assess every candidate against an agreed scorecard and support you up to the pilot decision – and, if you want, on into industrialization. AI for the research. Industry experience for the execution.
Why scouting on the side rarely works
- Many technology options, long decision paths. Your teams know what they need, but nobody has time to screen the market continuously.
- Findings stay on the shelf. A technology sounds promising, but nobody checks whether it can be built, sourced and sold.
- Suppliers for new technologies are missing. Without a partner who can deliver, the pilot remains a one-off.
- One-off studies go stale. Today’s report doesn’t answer next quarter’s question.
How the program works
- Sharpen the search fieldsIn a needs workshop we turn your question into a search-field brief and a scorecard. Candidates you already know are recorded right at the start.
- Scout continuouslyPatents, publications, standards, supplier directories, market signals and our network – supported by thinverAI.
- AssessEvery candidate gets a technology report covering maturity, a patent overview, manufacturability and a clear recommendation: go, no-go or pivot. An honest no at the right time.
- IntroduceWe prepare and moderate intro calls and coordinate the NDA between you and the candidate.
- Pilot and industrializationPilot design, supplier pre-qualification and – in package L – an industrialization roadmap. We don’t stop at the analysis.
What you get
- Fixed search fields with a brief and a scorecard
- Technology reports every month, with sources for every statement
- Assessed shortlists at the agreed cadence
- Prepared intro calls with NDA coordination
- Supplier pre-qualification and manufacturability assessment
- Quarterly report with pipeline, decisions and recommendations
- Working directly with the founders
Packages S, M and L compared
All prices net, plus VAT, for businesses only. Scope per package as below; the details are set out in the proposal.
Swipe the table sideways to see all packages →
| S · Focus 6,900 € net / month | M · Program 14,900 € net / month | L · Enterprise 24,900 € net / month | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active search fields | 1 | 3 | 5 (up to 3 business units) |
| Technology reports per month | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Assessed shortlist | quarterly | monthly | monthly |
| Intro calls incl. NDA coordination | up to 4 per quarter | up to 4 per month | up to 6 per month |
| Workshops | Onboarding + half-yearly review | Onboarding per search field + quarterly workshop | Onboarding per BU + quarterly workshop + innovation day |
| Supplier support | 1 pre-qualification per quarter | 2 pre-qualifications per quarter | 4 pre-qualifications per quarter |
| Industrialization support | Assessment in every report | + pilot design and support (up to 2 pilots) | + up to 3 pilots and an industrialization roadmap |
| Contact | one founder as program lead | founder as program lead + analyst | both founders + analyst team |
| Regular meeting | monthly | every two weeks | weekly |
| Response time | 3 business days | 2 business days | 1 business day |
| Term | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months (option: 24) |
| Notice period | 6 weeks before end of term | 3 months before end of term | 3 months before end of term |
| Payment | monthly in advance | quarterly in advance | quarterly in advance |
| Success bonus | fixed amount per milestone, capped | fixed amount per milestone, capped | fixed amount per milestone, capped |
Success bonus: only when a contract is signed
On top of the monthly retainer there is a success bonus – but only if you sign a pilot or follow-on contract with a candidate we introduced. The bonus is a fixed amount per milestone and capped per year, so you know your upper limit in advance. Candidates you already knew are excluded. Start-ups and suppliers pay us nothing.
Try first, then decide
Want to test the program on one question first? Start with a scouting sprint for one search field or a tech deep dive. We credit both if you move into a package afterwards.
Why thinver
- Industry perspective: Christian Reik brings supply chain, engineering and a network in the automotive industry, Patrick Stark market and sales.
- Supply chain built in from day one: we don’t just assess whether a technology works, but whether it can go into production.
- One partner from idea to production line: scouting, suppliers and industrialization from a single source.
- Honest: we only name references with our clients’ approval. We’re happy to show you the method on your own question.
Frequently asked questions
What is a search field?
A search field is a clearly defined technical question – for example a material, a process step or a function you want to solve differently. We capture it in a brief with requirements, exclusion criteria and target maturity.
What is in a technology report?
A report covers one technology, candidate or cluster: approach, maturity, an overview of the publicly visible patent and publication landscape, ability to deliver, manufacturability and a go, no-go or pivot recommendation – with sources.
How does the success bonus work?
It only applies if you sign a pilot or follow-on contract with a candidate we introduced. It is a fixed amount per milestone, capped per year. Candidates you already knew are excluded. The exact amounts are in the proposal.
Do start-ups or suppliers pay thinver anything?
No. In the program we work exclusively on your behalf and take no money from candidates.
How do you handle confidentiality?
We sign a non-disclosure agreement before the first workshop. By default we approach candidates with an anonymized need and only reveal your name once you approve. thinverAI processes data on EU servers.
Do I get a freedom-to-operate or legal opinion?
No. We provide an overview of the patent landscape; AI-supported assessments are a structured first assessment, not an expert opinion. For legal questions we work with patent attorneys.
How long is the contract?
S runs for 6 months, M and L for 12 months. The contract then renews unless you give notice in time (S: 6 weeks, M and L: 3 months before the end of the term). Payment is in advance: S monthly, M and L quarterly.
Can I switch packages or search fields?
Yes. You can upgrade from the next quarter. You can swap search fields within your package without changing the contract.
What happens after a successful pilot?
If you want, we support industrialization: supplier and supply-chain qualification, regulatory and technical readiness, and support during production ramp-up. This is a separate offer.
Do you have references?
We only name references with our clients’ approval. We’re happy to show you the method in a short sprint on your own question.