As a profit-oriented foundation company, we are the reliable partner for over 500 member companies in international innovation scouting and the recruitment of skilled workers.
Our mission is to strengthen the German economy, secure highly qualified work and employment and thus preserve prosperity in Germany for future generations.
SWAB. Worldwide access and transfer of innovations and top talent for the German economy.
„SWAB offers companies access to their most important resources: specialists and managers as well as innovations. Since 2008, SWAB has combined both with the largest cross-industry network within the German economy and thus makes an important contribution to work and employment in Germany.“
Liz Mohn, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of SWAB
The Foundation of the German Economy for Labor and Employment (SWAB) GmbH was founded as a foundation GmbH as a result of the financial crisis in 2008 with the support of listed corporations as well as family and medium-sized companies.
SWAB is a pioneer in networking and collaboration between the old and new economies. SWAB member companies have invested capital and know-how in more than 100 startups and entrepreneurs. SWAB itself also acts as an investor.
Another goal of SWAB is to ensure the flexibility and deployment of specialists and managers across industries via a corporate platform, thereby enabling companies to have focused and easy access to top talent, entrepreneurs and innovations.
With over 500 member companies from all sectors, the SWAB offers a structure with the Professional & Leadership Center that networks companies with one another and thus creates a breathing and highly flexible transfer market for specialists and managers with an income of 120 thousand euros or more.
“Suggestions and proposals for improvements […] are to be gratefully received from all circles of employees and conveyed to the Procura through the next supervisor so that they can arrange for their review.” (Alfred Krupp)
Real innovations rarely arise within the companies themselves. The ideas do. But their implementation is hindered by fixed structures, critical managers and rigid processes.
SWAB was a pioneer in Germany in networking startups with established companies. Our event “Best of both – Old meets new Economy” is legendary and was one of the most efficient and largest events for networking decision-makers from both business worlds.
With over 100 investments in startups initiated by us through companies, private equity or even private investors, we know the cultures and decision-makers in young growth companies and their special challenges.
Companies have now set up their own functions for research and innovation transfer. Here we continue to provide support with our network and offer established companies permanent access to cross-industry innovations that are relevant to their own operating environment.
Are you a company looking for access to international startups, think tanks or incubators? We would be happy to support you.
“SWAB gives us unique access to innovations.”
When looking for innovative and creative minds, SWAB is our first point of contact.
For me, the exchange with SWAB always provides inspiration for the ongoing development of our organization.
SWAB’s campaigns make a fundamental contribution to securing Germany as a business location.
SWAB is one of our most important contacts in the area of financing startups in Europe.
Nobody connects industrial companies with innovative startups better than SWAB.
Haven’t you always wanted to conduct a large orchestra?
SWAB for candidates
With now more than 500 member companies, over 100 startups and investors, SWAB is one of the insiders of the “informal job market” for specialists and managers. Through our access to the decision-makers at our member companies, we receive information very early on about plans for permanent positions, consulting mandates or interim positions. Our network is international.
From our work with startups and investors, we know how important it is to tell your story in a way that sets you apart from the competition. That’s why we accompany you throughout the entire process. From researching the right position for you to the perfect appearance at the company. After you have contacted us, we will decide whether we can actually offer you suitable positions. We discuss and plan the strategy together with you and coach you through the process. In total, we will accompany you over a period of 9 months. During this time, around 90 percent of our candidates receive an offer.
If you are looking for a new job outside of Germany, the effort will increase and we will support you over a period of 12 months.
Would you like to have a non-binding preliminary interview and get to know the application process? Call us directly or make an appointment.
I have never been supported so comprehensively and closely in the search for a new challenge as I was by SWAB. After a concrete analysis of the market, we developed a list of target companies and SWAB contacted the relevant decision-makers. After 5 months there were two concrete job offers. I was accompanied and supported by SWAB throughout the entire process. Communication was perfect!
For me, the preference was to look for a new position abroad. Here I specified the USA or England as the target countries at SWAB. After just 6 weeks I had an interview in London at one of the leading biotech companies. I now live there with my entire family. I would particularly like to thank Dr. Richter for the fantastic support throughout the entire process.
After 25 years of working in industrial companies, including 10 years in managerial positions, I wanted to change again. I knew SWAB from my work as Head of Innovation at a leading company in the health care sector. With Gunnar Schulze I had the perfect advisor at my side for a reorientation. Together we examined various startups and found an exciting investment opportunity for me.
At the age of 55, I was faced with the challenge of having to reorient myself again. This situation was not voluntary. After an outplacement with one of the leading German providers and numerous unsolicited applications, I received a recommendation for SWAB from a former colleague after about a year. Everything was different here. Super professional, efficient and a guided tour through the application process like I had never experienced before. With Nadja Soukup I had a super professional and friendly consultant who inspired me to take on an interim role.
SWAB for companies
SWAB Professional & Leadership Center
SWAB offers specialists and managers access to a highly flexible, national and international job market. As a company, we offer you access to this market.
SWAB is not a headhunter or job exchange in the classic sense. We know all candidates personally and are also aware of the needs of our member companies. Our USP is specific industry knowledge and proximity to the top decision-makers in our member companies. And the requirements of our member companies are very different. Some of them are looking for a successor for a permanent position. Or a consultant for a project. Interim managers are also often used to temporarily fill open vacancies. We place our candidates according to these requirements.
Our candidates have at least 10 years of professional experience and their income of currently over 120k euros identifies them as a top professional or manager. Our candidates are absolutely flexible in terms of the type of contract – permanent position, consulting mandate, interim – as well as the location of work.