Market & revenue model diversification
Structured market comparison
Markets are assessed against fixed criteria and put into a clear ranking.
Lever 5 of 5 · Remote leadership
Rethinking,
ahead of the market.
Many companies have had their next product in a drawer for a long time, they just do not recognise it as such. Together with you we systematically develop alternatives: new markets, new products, a second leg abroad. So that you have a plan B before you need it.
- brought forth any innovation at all in 2022-2024
- 41%
- brought forth any innovation at all in 2022-2024
- AI use in the Mittelstand within one year
- 17 → 41%
- AI use in the Mittelstand within one year
- proven use cases in the catalogue
- 100+
- proven use cases in the catalogue
Starting point
The next product is often already in the house. But nobody is looking systematically.
- 41%
of mid-sized businesses brought forth any innovation at all in 2022-2024, only 4 in 10
Source: KfW Research: Innovation in the Mittelstand 2026
- Only 3%
carry out their own research & development continuously, a further 6% occasionally
Source: KfW Research: Innovation in the Mittelstand 2026
- 41%
already use AI, double the 17% of the previous year
Source: Bitkom “Digitalisierung der Wirtschaft” 2026
- 48%
are planning or discussing the use of AI. Anyone starting now is still early.
Source: Bitkom “Digitalisierung der Wirtschaft” 2026
Before / after
From one leg to several options.
As with a customer from crane technology: a technical approach became a product of its own with a new business model, and in the end came a sale in the millions. Such opportunities lie unused in many businesses. We support you systematically in planning and implementation, with a catalyst model developed specifically for this.
Today
Own solutions
internal tools and processes are only used in-house
Markets
one or two core markets, everything depends on them
Locations & taxes
everything in one location, under one tax system
Worst case
no plan if the situation suddenly changes
Basis for decisions
the owner's individual opinion
With a system
Own solutions
checked whether they can become a product for others
Markets
several market and revenue options compared in a structured way
Locations & taxes
second leg abroad examined, tax options included
Worst case
scenarios worked through and a plan B ready
Basis for decisions
quantified business case per option
What the lever is worth
The calculation behind this lever.
Classic route (building your own AI and innovation project in-house) against the ivato route (fixed scope, fast go-live).
In numbers · In-house vs. the ivato route
- Classic route: total costs in year 1 (in-house)€250,000-500,000
- Classic route: ROI visible only after12-18 months
- Main blockers: legal uncertainty / lack of know-how53% each
ivato route: go-live8-12 weeks
Recommended: five options in a structured comparison, with a business case per option. A one-off investment with a fixed scope instead of an open-ended, multi-year in-house build-up.
Example calculation using figures from past projects. No guarantee.
Use case catalogue
A selection from 100+ proven use cases.
Not every use case suits every company. In the initial consultation we choose together the use cases that raise your capacity for renewal fastest.
Market & revenue model diversification
Automated competitor and trend analysis
Movements of competitors and markets are captured and summarised continuously.
Market & revenue model diversification
Review of new revenue models
Subscription, platform or service: variants are calculated side by side.
Market & revenue model diversification
Cultural and legal readiness checks
Legal, cultural and organisational prerequisites are checked in advance.
Market & revenue model diversification
Digital business case per growth option
Every option gets a quantified business case as a basis for decisions.
Product development & product ideas
AI-supported idea generation and trend scouting
New product ideas emerge systematically from trends, data and customer feedback.
Product development & product ideas
Fast feasibility and market assessment
Ideas are checked for feasibility and market potential in days rather than months.
Product development & product ideas
Automated prototype and MVP feedback loop
Prototypes go to customers early, and feedback flows directly into the next version.
8 of 24 use cases
A selection from the ivato catalogue of 100+ proven use cases across all five levers. The catalogue keeps growing. If something is missing, tell us: if needed, we will design a new use case for you.
Why now
The AI gap is closing fast, at the expense of the latecomers.
Within one year, AI use in German companies has more than doubled, from 17% to 41%. Anyone who waits today will soon face a majority of competitors who are already using the advantage.
At the same time, classic innovation activity remains low. The gap between the two figures is exactly the space in which a structured, fast process brings the biggest lead.
- 41%
already use AI in the company (2026)
- 17%
AI use in the previous year (2025)
- 77%
of AI users see a better competitive position
- 3%
carry out their own research continuously
Sources: Bitkom “Digitalisierung der Wirtschaft” 2026 · KfW Research: Innovation in the Mittelstand 2026
Your starting point
Where do you start, and how do you put this lever to work in your company as quickly as possible?
Four building blocks that build on one another. You decide where to join, depending on what you already know and how much you would like to do yourself.
- 01Do it yourself · online
Digital self-check
Start here ifyou would like to check for yourself first where you stand.
Guided, thorough and convenient online: you receive your maturity level, the ranking of all five levers and an automatic evaluation with a business case.
After your evaluation we will get in touch personally, because every path is individual. Then continue to strategy consulting or straight to implementation.
- 02Guided · analysis
Strategy consulting
Start here ifit is still open where your biggest lever lies.
Together we analyse where your greatest potential lies and which use cases work first, as a quantified business case.
Depending on scope, up to 80% eligible for funding (up to €5,600 grant per year). We handle the administration.
- 03Guided · delivery
Implementation
Start here ifyou already know your lever, or are coming from the self-check or consulting.
We implement the prioritised use cases: four use cases, fixed scope, go-live in 8-12 weeks.
Depending on the federal state, funding of up to €50,000 can be used for implementation. We check this for you.
- 04Guided · monthly
Ongoing support
Start here ifyour solution (or your own system) should keep growing in the long term.
Our AI and strategy advisors are at your side every month: advising, implementing, developing further. We also rebuild and extend your existing in-house systems.
Not sure where to start? In the free initial consultation we will find the right starting point together.
Arrange an initial consultation →Success Stories
Results from practice.
01 / 07
Several days
less administrative work per month
Travel & hotelsAI & knowledge
AI for gentle travel: Coordinating hundreds of tour leaders, guides and partners while on the move.
- Problem
- An operator coordinated hundreds of tour leaders, guides and partners across many trips.
- Approach
- An intelligent portal connected information, availability and back office.
- Result
- Coordination became possible on the move and saved several days of administrative work per month.
Scaling with AIRemote leadership
View case →Selected clients
350+ companies and public institutions have already delivered projects with us.
By industry
Selected approaches from more than 25 years of industry experience.
All industries at a glance →Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this lever.
Your question is not here? In the initial conversation we take 30 minutes for your specific topic.
No. The lever covers market, revenue model and product innovation together. Expansion abroad is one possible option among several, not a must.
Yes. Trend scouting and AI-supported idea assessment are themselves among the use cases of this lever. You do not have to start with a finished idea.
An in-house build-up costs on average €250,000-500,000 in the first year, with ROI only after 12-18 months. The ivato route works with a fixed scope and go-live in 8-12 weeks.
That is up to you. If you would like to check for yourself first, start with the digital self-check. If it is still open which option brings the biggest lever, strategy consulting is the right start. If you already know your priority, go straight to implementation. Afterwards we can support you monthly if you wish.
That depends on the chosen scope of use cases and is discussed transparently in the initial consultation, on the basis of a fixed scope instead of an open-ended number of hours, often partly subsidised through funding.
Ready to find out where your greatest potential lies?
A 30-minute assessment of your topic, personal and without obligation.