TSHN is a network and wants to build a community. Memberships and corresponding membership fees are intended to demonstrate the will to belong and to express the value of the community for the contributor ("what costs nothing is worth nothing"). On the other hand, contributions ensure part of the financial stability of the network.
The route to TSHN is first through general memberships (for individuals and organisations) and then three specific membership categories for those who want to become more involved or take on larger roles in the TSHN ecosystem.
A preliminary one-month trial membership is intended to demonstrate the possibilities and benefits of TSHN for members.
1 trial membership
1.1 Trial membership for individuals
- Target groupPrivate individuals, farmers on a small scale or interested parties who would like to familiarise themselves with TSHN's offers and community for a short time without obligation.
- Duration: 1 month
- Services & advantages:
- Limited access to basic information and community platforms (e.g. selected forums and online events).
- Possibility to participate in 1-2 taster events, such as an introductory webinar or an information event.
- ContributionFree of charge or heavily discounted (e.g. minimal symbolic contribution/donation), so that low-threshold participation is possible.
- Transition: At the end of the month, the individual can switch to General Membership and benefit from more comprehensive services.
1.2 Trial membership for organisations
- Target groupSmaller companies, NGOs, associations, start-ups or other organisations that would like to test the benefits of TSHN offers before becoming a permanent member.
- Duration: 1 month
- Services & advantages:
- Limited access to basic information, online platforms and (depending on availability) the opportunity to participate in 1-2 relevant information or networking events.
- Organisations can gain an internal impression of the concrete added value of the TSHN community (e.g. make contact with other members).
- ContributionLow lump sum (higher than for individuals, but still low-threshold).
- TransitionIf you are interested in further services, you can switch to General Membership for Organisations.
2 General memberships
After the taster membership (or directly if you don't want to try it out first), regular general membership begins. A distinction is again made here between individuals and organisations.
The general memberships are the "foundation", so to speak: they allow interested parties to become part of the community, obtain information and make initial contacts without already entering into an intensive co-operation or financing relationship.
2.1 General membership for individuals
- Target groupPrivate individuals, students, small-scale farmers or anyone interested in gaining an initial insight into TSHN.
- Services & advantages:
- Access to basic information on soil health, regenerative agriculture and TSHN activities.
- Participation in selected community events and online events.
- Use of a basic networking service, e.g. forums or chat groups.
- Participation in the bonus and token programme
- Access to the marketplace with discounts
- ContributionRelatively low, as this is an "entry-level" product.
2.2 General membership for organisations
- Target groupSmaller businesses, NGOs, associations, start-ups (without a specific cooperation project) that are interested in regenerative agriculture and TSHN.
- Services & advantages:
- Access to basic information on soil health, regenerative agriculture and TSHN activities.
- Participation in selected community events and online events.
- Use of a basic networking service, e.g. forums or chat groups.
- Participation in the bonus and token programme
- Access to the marketplace with discounts
- Access to the certificate programme
- Official membership status for the organisation (e.g. use of the TSHN logo "Member since...")
- Visibility on TSHN websites (e.g. member directory)
- Opportunity to actively participate in events, trade fairs or workshops (e.g. as an exhibitor)
- ContributionSlightly higher than for individuals, as organisations can benefit from a larger network and other advantages. The guideline can be turnover and/or number of employees.
3 Special memberships
After or parallel to general membership (for individuals or organisations), it is possible to upgrade to one or more special categories. These entail extended rights and obligations and are aimed at those who want to actively and comprehensively cooperate with or promote TSHN.
3.1 Category 1: Cooperation and R&D membership
- Target groups:
- Research institutions, universities, universities of applied sciences
- Companies with their own R&D departments
- Innovative farmers or developers who want to work intensively on projects
- Services & advantages:
- Increased access to R&D projects (e.g. joint project development, shared infrastructure, data exchange)
- Helping to shape the scientific and technological direction of TSHN (e.g. IT, blockchain, IoT or sensor solutions)
- Fast and prioritised access to new research and pilot projects
- Utilisation of special IP advantages (licensing, franchising, joint patenting where applicable)
- Contribution:
- Higher contributions or project-related cost sharing
- Further regulations on project coordination, IP and joint publications are regulated in the respective cooperation agreement
3.2 Category 2: Market and sales membership
- Target groups:
- Organisations that would like to co-market TSHN products and services (e.g. sales partners, logistics, dealers)
- Companies and initiatives with a strong focus on product marketing, branding and access to customers
- Services & advantages:
- Access to joint marketing and sales activities (e.g. white label solutions, use of brand signets, marketplaces)
- Participation in major campaigns and trade fairs under the umbrella of the TSHN umbrella brand
- Discount or commission models, e.g. for the marketing of certificates (e.g. carbon removal certificates), tokens, humus cultivation services, etc.
- Community presence as an official TSHN sales partner
- Contribution:
- Annual flat rate for the "Sales/Marketing" licence plus sales-dependent conditions
- Binding compliance with branding specifications and quality standards
3.3 Category 3: Promotion and financing partnership
- Target groups:
- Institutional investors
- Financing partners (banks, venture capital, funding agencies)
- Foundations, large companies or family offices interested in impact investing and ecosystem services
- Services & advantages:
- Priority access to special financing instruments (SAFT, SAFC, SAFE, token purchase)
- Possibility to invest in capital rounds or loan models (with agreed returns, participations)
- Right to have a say in strategic decisions (if agreed in individual cases)
- Public relations work (e.g. official naming as a "funding partner")
- Contribution:
- Neither a traditional membership fee nor a "fee", but generally binding investment volumes, sponsorship packages or loan amounts
- Clearly regulated reporting standards, accountability obligations and return/IP regulations
4 Summary
With this two-tier system, TSHN offers low-threshold access to many interested parties on the one hand, and clearly defined forms of membership for those who want to go deeper and actively participate (technically, organisationally or financially) on the other.
- Trial memberships (for individuals and organisations):
- Exploration of the TSHN community, basic information, opportunity to participate in first events.
- Differentiation between individuals and organisations, particularly in the contributions and offers.
- General memberships (for individuals or organisations):
- Access to the TSHN community, further information, opportunity to participate in first events.
- Difference between individual and organisational membership, especially in terms of contributions and available resources.
- Special memberships:
- Category 1: Co-operation and R&D membership
- Category 2: Market and sales membership
- Category 3: Promotion and financing partnership
