🚀 LoftOS Quickstart Guide

Get your LoftOS platform up and running in 30-60 minutes

Welcome to LoftOS! This quickstart guide will help you set up a basic, functional platform with essential features. By the end of this guide, you'll have a customized platform ready for your users.

📋 What You'll Accomplish

✅ Create and configure your LoftOS platform
✅ Set up branding and basic settings
✅ Configure essential modules (Organizations, Events, Custom Modules, Pages)
✅ Create user-friendly navigation
✅ Add your first content
✅ Understand next steps for advanced customization

Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes

LoftOS is a customizable platform that enables you to build and manage online communities, innovation networks, and collaborative ecosystems. Whether you're running a startup accelerator, research network, or corporate innovation program, LoftOS provides the tools to connect people, showcase opportunities, and facilitate meaningful interactions.

Key Capabilities

🏢 Organizations: Manage member companies and institutions
📅 Events: Host virtual and in-person events with networking features
📦 Offers & Requests: Create marketplaces for opportunities and needs
✍️ Custom Modules: Build tailored databases for any use case
📄 Pages: Create custom web pages and landing pages
🤝 Networking: Facilitate connections through matchmaking and chat

🏁 Getting Started

Step 1: Create Your Platform

If you haven't created your platform yet, start here:

Visit https://create.innoloft.com
Create an account for your platform
Select a template (optional) - Templates provide pre-configured setups for specific use cases:
- Regional Innovation Network
- Startup Accelerator
- Research & Education Hub
- Corporate Innovation Platform
Choose a name for your platform and URL
Check your email for welcome instructions from the Innoloft team

💡 Tip: Templates are starting points that you can fully customize. Don't worry about choosing the "perfect" one.

Access your platform using the URL you created
Log in with your admin credentials
Navigate to Admin area - Look for "Admin" in the main navigation

⚙️ Essential Setup

Step 3: Configure General Settings

Navigate to: Admin → Platform Settings → General Settings

🎨 Branding & Visual Identity

Upload your logo - This appears in emails and throughout the platform
Set your colors:
- Primary color: Used for buttons, links, and key elements
- Secondary color: Used for accents and highlights
- Navigation color: Colors your header bar
Upload a favicon - The small icon that appears in browser tabs

🌍 Language Settings

Select your primary language
Add additional languages if needed (Premium feature for multiple languages)

⚠️ Note: On the free plan, you can select one language alongside English.

📞 Contact Information

Fill in your organization details:

Organization name
Email address
Physical address
Phone number

This information appears in your platform's footer and legal pages.

📄 Legal Pages

Legal Notice: Add your imprint or link to an external one
Terms of Usage: Use the provided templates or create your own

💡 Quick Start: LoftOS provides ready-to-edit templates in German and English.

Review default organization types: Startups, Corporates, Research Institutions, etc.
Customize sections if needed - You can show/hide information like:
- Contact details
- Team members
- Technology categories
- Business model
Set up basic database - The default ecosystem database works for most use cases

🎯 Goal: Users can create and manage organization profiles

Step 5: Events Module

Purpose: Host virtual and in-person events with registration and networking

Navigate to: Admin → Modules → Events

Quick Setup:

Enable the Events module (usually enabled by default)
Review event types: Internal Events (hosted on platform) vs External Events (links to external tools)
Configure basic settings - Default options work well for most use cases

Optional: Event Ticketing

If you plan to charge for events:

Navigate to Event Settings → Ticketing
Connect Stripe account for payment processing
Create ticket types with pricing and availability

🎯 Goal: Users can create events and manage registrations

Step 6: Custom Modules

Purpose: Create tailored databases for your specific needs (jobs, research, funding, etc.)

Navigate to: Admin → Modules → Custom Modules

Create Your First Custom Module:

Click "+ Module"
Choose template or start blank:
- Templates available: Jobs, Forum, Co-founder Matching, Research Results
- Blank: Build from scratch
Configure basic settings:
- Name and description
- Icon and colors
- Visibility settings

Example: Job Board Module

Select "Jobs" template
Customize sections:
- Job title and description
- Requirements and skills
- Employment type
- Application deadline
Save and activate

🎯 Goal: Create specialized databases that match your community's needs

Step 7: Pages Module

Purpose: Create custom web pages, landing pages, and informational content

Navigate to: Admin → Modules → Pages

Create Your First Page:

Click "+ Page"
Name your page (URL auto-generates)
Add a template:
- Landing page
- About us
- Team members
- FAQ
Customize content using the visual editor
Save and publish

🎯 Goal: Create informational pages that explain your platform and community

Navigate to: Admin → Platform Settings → Navigation Settings

Review existing entries - Default entries for Organizations, Events, etc.
Add your custom modules:
- Click "+ Entry"
- Link to your Custom Module or Page
- Set icon and display name
Organize with dropdowns if you have many sections:
- Create dropdown menus for related content
- Example: "Marketplace" dropdown with "Jobs" and "Funding" entries

Link Options:

Database: Link to module databases (Organizations, Events, etc.)
Module: Link to specific modules
Single Entity: Link to specific content
External Link: Link to external websites
Pages: Link to your custom pages

Step 9: Basic Access Management

Navigate to: Admin → Access Management

Configure Access Settings:

User Registration:
- Open registration: Anyone can join
- Approval required: Admin approval needed
- Invitation only: Users must be invited
Private vs Organization Users:
- Allow individual users or require organization affiliation
Basic packages: Use default settings for now

💡 Quick Start: For testing, use open registration. Tighten security later.

Navigate to Organizations
Click "+ Entry"
Fill in details:
- Organization name
- Description
- Contact information
- Logo/image
Save and publish

Create Your First Event:

Navigate to Events
Click "+ Entry"
Choose "Internal Event"
Configure basic details:
- Event name and description
- Date and time
- Virtual, in-person, or hybrid
Publish when ready

Create a Welcome Page:

Navigate to Pages
Create a new page called "Welcome" or "Getting Started"
Use a template and customize with:
- Welcome message
- Platform overview
- How to get started
- Contact information
Link in navigation for easy access