IT St.Gallen rockt

What IT St.Gallen rockt does

Verein IT St.Gallen, operating under the brand IT St.Gallen rockt / rockt! / ICT Cluster-Ostschweiz, is a Swiss non-profit association (Verein, UID CHE-262.256.468) headquartered at Bahnhofstrasse 6 in St. Gallen that functions as the central ICT industry cluster for Eastern Switzerland. Founded in 2013 with a small operational team led by Managing Director (Geschäftsführerin) Eva De Salvatore, the organization convenes more than 100 member companies together with a broad network of educational and industry partners, including OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, FFHS, Universität St.Gallen (HSG), ipso Bildung, GBS St.Gallen, FHGR, swissICT, and ISSS.

The organization's core product surface is a portfolio of community services rather than a single software platform. It operates a regional job portal with approximately 200 active ICT positions (itrockt.jobportal.jobchannel.ch), a skill-matching service powered by People-Analytix technology (itrockt.people-analytix.ch), the Digital Talents Program that retrains career changers into ICT roles, an events program anchored by the annual Digital Conference Ostschweiz and the Cyber Security Day Ostschweiz, and the east#KI AI competence cluster that delivers AI education and thought leadership in partnership with KI-Studio and others.

The business model is membership-driven and non-profit: recurring corporate membership dues from the 100+ member companies form the core revenue stream, supplemented by course fees for the AI and ICT training programs, professional-services revenue from event organization, and partnership-driven programs. Go-to-market is community-led — engagement is built through events, newsletters, social channels, webinars, and direct member recruitment rather than paid acquisition. The market served is regional: ICT employers, job seekers, career changers, educational institutions, and policymakers across Eastern Switzerland (Ostschweiz), with selected national reach through partners such as swissICT and the Digital Economy Award.

Name

IT St.Gallen rockt

Legal name

Verein IT St.Gallen

Website

https://itrockt.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IT St.Gallen rockt is a Swiss non-profit ICT cluster (Verein) that convenes 100+ member companies in Eastern Switzerland through a regional job portal, skill-matching platform, AI and ICT training programs, and the Digital Conference Ostschweiz.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ICT Industry Cluster Services

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

IT Knowledge Management & Service Desk Platforms (HDAEALAH)

Keywords

• ICT cluster networking
• Job matching platform
• Skill matching services
• Tech industry events
• AI education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Gallen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Companies join as members of the ICT cluster, contributing to the operational funding of ITrockt. The organization has grown to over 100 member companies.
2. Educational Programs and Courses: Revenue generated from AI courses, professional development programs, and educational offerings through partners.
3. Event Organization: Digital Conference Ostschweiz, Cyber Security Day, and various professional events generate engagement and potential revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IT St.Gallen rockt (branded as ITrockt!) is the ICT Cluster-Ostschweiz, a non-profit association that operates an ICT community and networking platform for Eastern Switzerland. It delivers a job portal with approximately 200 ICT positions, a People-Analytix-powered skill-matching service, the Digital Talents Program that retrains career changers into ICT roles, AI courses in collaboration with KI-Studio, the east#KI AI competence cluster, and major industry events including the Digital Conference Ostschweiz and Cyber Security Day.

Product overview

IT St.Gallen rockt operates as an ICT cluster organization (Verein) serving as the central platform for the ICT industry in Eastern Switzerland. Rather than a unified software product, the organization provides a portfolio of community and networking services including a job platform (Job-Plattform) with approximately 200 ICT positions, a skill-matching service powered by People-Analytix, educational programs through the Digital Talents Program and AI courses in partnership with KI-Studio, event organization including the Digital Conference Ostschweiz, and the east#KI competence cluster for AI. These services function as interconnected offerings within the association's mission to promote digital transformation, foster talent development, and connect ICT professionals and companies in the Ostschweiz region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digital Talents Program: Program preparing career changers for ICT professions and directly placing them in companies.
• east#KI

Products and services

• Job-Plattform (Job Platform)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 member companies in the ICT cluster
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fernfachhochschule Schweiz (FFHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Education partner offering IT study programs. Provides BiscuITs webinar series on current IT topics. FFHS is a distance learning university with 180 employees, offering bachelor's and master's programs in IT.
• OST - Ostschweizer FachhochschulecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Leading university of applied sciences in Eastern Switzerland with 35 research institutes. Key education partner for IT education, research collaborations, and the Digital Talents Program.
• swissICTcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Network partner and primary representative of the ICT sector in Switzerland with 2,500 members. Organizes #DIGITUP events and the Digital Economy Award.
• ipso Bildung AG / IFAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Leading provider of higher vocational education in ICT in German-speaking Switzerland. Offers ICT Specialist programs with federal certification and information events.
• Universität St.Gallen (HSG) - Institut für WirtschaftsinformatikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026One of Europe's most prestigious business universities. The Institute for Business Informatics offers executive education including IT Business Management DAS HSG and CAS in Big Data and AI for Managers.
• Gewerbliches Berufs- und Weiterbildungszentrum St.Gallen (GBS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Major educational institution in Eastern Switzerland for vocational training and higher education. Offers Interactive Media Designer HF program and ICT training.
• PowercodersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Non-profit organization providing intensive IT training programs for refugees, with the goal of placing graduates in full-time IT positions. Switzerland faces a shortage of nearly 40,000 ICT professionals.
• ISSS - Information Security Society SwitzerlandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Leading professional association for ICT security in Switzerland with over 1,100 members. Offers networking, training, and events for security professionals.
• Swiss Engineering STVminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Largest professional network of engineers and architects in Switzerland with approximately 13,000 members. Offers member discounts and networking events.
• inside-it / inside-channelsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Independent online media for professional IT users and providers. Offers advertising discounts to member companies.
• Dualoo AGminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Recruitment software provider for SMEs, specializing in apprentice and intern recruitment. Offers 25% discount on setup and training packages.
• Code ExcursionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Women-focused programming courses in web development, creative coding, data science, and digital literacy since 2018.
• EURESEARCH OstschweizminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Advisory service for European research and innovation programs (Horizon 2020) for Eastern Switzerland stakeholders.
• MetroComm AG / LEADERminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026LEADER is the Eastern Switzerland business magazine, providing media coverage and co-organizing the Digital Conference Ostschweiz.
• Web Professionals GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Practice-oriented web professional training initiated by internet agencies in Eastern Switzerland. Provides facilities in Techfabrik Grabs.
• Fachhochschule Graubünden (FHGR)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Innovative university of applied sciences offering unique study programs. Provides 5% discount on eMBA programs in New Business Development and Digital Transformation.
• BVS St.Gallen AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Continuing education institute with areas in management, IT, and language training. Offers 10% discount on Digital Innovation Manager NDS HF program.
• coach und coach gmbhminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Systemic and agile coaching, Kanban training. Offers 10% discount on coaching and training services.
• Verein St.Galler RheintalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Economic development association for the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, a high-tech industrial region with over 500 companies.
• miaEngiadinaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Developing the Engadin as a workplace destination for the IT industry, offering Mountain Hubs for coworking. Provides 10% discount on company memberships.
• Benedict-Schule St. GallenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Vocational school offering language, IT, business, and healthcare education. Offers 5% on all programs and 10% on courses.
• Beruf- und Weiterbildungszentrum Wil-Uzwil (BZWU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Leading vocational education center in the region. Offers 5% discount on ICT Power-User course and free facilities for member meetings.
• VIW Wirtschaftsinformatik SchweizminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Representing business informatics interests since 1985. Presides over the IG Berufsbildung Wirtschaftsinformatik.
• Swiss Engineering Sektion Wil und UmgebungminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Regional section of Swiss Engineering with 210 members. Offers 6-month free trial membership for new members.
• Verein ostwärts / Wilder OstenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Regional economic development initiative offering 50% discount on membership to ITrockt members.
• east#digitalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Co-organizer of the Digital Conference Ostschweiz 2026, taking place on September 8, 2026.
• Kellenberger Switzerland AGminorOthers · 1 April 2026Host of the 2026 annual member meeting. Kellenberger is a world-renowned Swiss manufacturer of grinding machines with approximately 300 employees.
• Digital Economy AwardcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Most important digital award in Switzerland. ITrockt promotes the award in the Eastern Switzerland region. Award ceremony on November 19, 2026.
• Diselva AGminorOthers · 1 May 2024Digital transformation agency and member of ITrockt. Partnering with Säntis-Schwebebahn AG for digital strategy implementation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Greater Zurich Area: Marketing and business-development organization for the Greater Zurich region, focused on attracting tech companies and talent. Comparable as a regional tech ecosystem builder in Switzerland, but targeting a different geographic territory and emphasizing FDI rather than ICT community events.
• baselArea: Economic development and innovation promotion agency for the Basel region. Comparable as a regional cluster/economic-development organization focused on technology and innovation, but serving a different Swiss region (Northwestern Switzerland).
• ICT-Verein Bern: Regional ICT association serving the Bern area in Switzerland with networking events and community programs. Comparable in regional ICT-association model to ITrockt, but operating in a different Swiss canton.

Direct peers

• swissICT: The primary national ICT industry association in Switzerland with 2,500+ member companies. Like ITrockt, it serves as a membership-driven ICT cluster organizing events, advocacy, awards, and professional networks — directly comparable in mission and operating model, but at national scale.
• ICT Cluster Switzerland (adminVED): A second Swiss ICT cluster initiative serving as a networking and innovation platform for ICT companies. Directly comparable in cluster-association model, but operating at a broader (potentially national) level rather than focused on Eastern Switzerland.

Emerging players

• Swiss Startup Association: Swiss association representing and supporting tech startups through advocacy, community, and events. Comparable as a membership-driven Swiss tech ecosystem organization, but with a startup/entrepreneurship focus rather than regional ICT employment.
• MINT Zukunft schaffen: Swiss initiative promoting STEM/MINT education and career pathways among youth, including ICT professions. Comparable to ITrockt's Digital Talents Program in mission to grow the ICT talent pipeline, but at a national rather than regional scope.

Others

• Jobcloud: Switzerland's leading job board operator running jobs.ch, jobup.ch, and other portals. Comparable to ITrockt's job portal business model, but operating at national scale with significantly broader candidate reach — a potential substitute for ITrockt's listings.
• People-Analytix: Skill-matching and people-analytics platform that powers ITrockt's matchd service. Comparable as the underlying technology provider and an adjacent skill-matching platform, illustrating both partnership and competitive overlap in competency-based job matching.

Broad incumbents

• digitalswitzerland: Switzerland's cross-industry digital transformation initiative, connecting policymakers, corporates, and startups. Comparable to ITrockt as a national digital ecosystem builder, but with a broader horizontal (cross-vertical) remit rather than regional ICT focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ITrockt
• Facebookfacebook.com/itrockt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verein-it-st.gallen
• Instagraminstagram.com/itrockt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IT St.Gallen rockt