When Patrick Viert and Raffael Leu submitted their final Industry Research Projects (IRP) for the Master’s in Digital Management at Hyper Island Manchester, they didn’t just complete their studies – they launched a company.
Their creative consultancy, silent&sober, was founded the very same week as their project deadline. The goal? To help companies use brand purpose as a driving force for growth and positive change.
“silent&sober is a creative consultancy dedicated to supporting Swiss companies and their brands in asserting themselves in the market, on the basis of their positive impact on society and the environment,” says Patrick.
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A Consultancy Built on Purpose
Patrick and Raffael believe that in today’s transparent world, companies must stand for something bigger than profit.
“As social and environmental expectations rise, many organisations are coming under pressure,” Raffael explains. “Used correctly, brand purpose empowers companies that strive not only for financial success but also for a positive impact on society and the environment.”
silent&sober helps clients define and activate their brand purpose, ensuring it inspires both internal and external stakeholders.
“We’re on our way to becoming a B Corp certified company,” Patrick adds. “This means committing to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. We collaborate with clients who share this philosophy or want to explore this path with us.”
From Classroom to Consultancy
Both founders have over a decade of experience helping companies navigate digitalisation. Yet, they describe their time at Hyper Island as transformative.
“The Digital Management course opened completely new perspectives for us,” Patrick says. “We learned new methodologies, valuable frameworks, and useful tools. Understanding how to design complex processes meaningfully is of great value.”
Their Industry Research Projects (Hyper Island’s equivalent of a Master’s thesis) became a key foundation for their business.
“We aligned our IRPs so the research directly supported our day-to-day work,” Raffael explains. “I explored whether purpose-driven brands create better brand experiences, while Patrick examined how purpose can become a new organisational mindset for Swiss companies.”
Learning by Doing, Leading by Example
By blending theory, research, and entrepreneurial action, Patrick and Raffael turned their master’s experience into something tangible – a company that helps others lead with purpose.
silent&sober stands as an example of how Hyper Island students apply what they learn immediately, turning ideas into initiatives that create measurable impact.
“This is our way of having an impact,” says Patrick. “This is our purpose.”
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