Meet Ramin Schams, Founder & CEO of KnowS

Please tell us about KnowS

KnowS was founded in 2018 and launched in 2020. Currently, we have 5 team members and are always looking for motivated people to join our team.

With KnowS, we offer a community marketplace for any service. People benefit easily and safely from the skills and know-how of the community. Everyone who has time and fun to earn some extra side income can offer their skills and the community will find the right match for every task.

Because everyone is properly verified, the entire process is safe. The booking is insured thanks to the partnership with Zurich Insurance and the payment is made only after a satisfied conclusion.

Tell us more about your plans for 2023? What is your long-term vision?

To conquer more cities in Switzerland and grow the community in a healthy and sustainable way. The long-term goal is that KnowS is known throughout Europe. Every person who needs support in everyday life, no matter what should think of KnowS.

What has been the biggest success that you have achieved in your startup?

The milestone of realizing over 20,000 community members and 2,000 completed requests!

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?

Engage in-house software developers at an early stage, who participate in the success of the company and are motivated to improve and expand the platform quickly and with high quality.

What motivates you to continue your business every day?

I am motivated to add value to society with KnowS so that people in general can manage their everyday life more calmly.

Moreover, to see every day how we make KnowS better, how people are motivated to do their work, how we are appreciated by the community in the form of positive and constructive feedback.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?

To always remain patient and persistently pursue one’s vision. We should not be distracted by failures, but always focus on the positive aspects, surrounding ourselves with positive people and believing in one’s own success despite all adversities and difficulties.

In addition, use your own network early on to get feedback and talk to people who have already built something up in order to benefit from their learnings.

What does it mean to you to be a member of the Swiss Startup Association? 

I think it’s a great thing, because startups in particular need to be promoted even more in Switzerland. Within the startup community, we can all benefit from the broad know-how and different skills.

Would you recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association? 

Definitely, because there are only benefits for all members. Sharing experience and knowledge are of great benefit.

Is there anything that we haven’t asked you that you would like to share with us?

Do your own thing, and believe in yourself and your ideas. I can only encourage everyone that if the joy and motivation is there to get something of their own off the ground, to actively accept and start it. Doing instead of talking is the best solution. It is never too early and only if you do it, you know what the effective output is.

Switzerland needs more innovative ideas and movements to improve the overall conditions for startups to thrive and be successful.