Traditionally, the search for new ideas has tended to happen ‘behind closed doors’, in research labs and design departments, all carefully protected by intellectual property rights. But this is rapidly changing. Today, innovation is far less controlled and predictable. A good idea can come from (literally) anywhere.
This greater fluidity is hugely positive for innovation. We’re developing a range of programmes that encourage people to connect across organisations, places and disciplines. We believe that putting people and organisations together in unusual combinations sparks new ideas and new perspectives on old problems.
Corporate Open Innovation
Since Henry Chesbrough popularised the term ‘Corporate Open Innovation’ in 2003, many large companies have been attracted by the idea of sourcing new products externally from small businesses and individual inventors.
In theory, this enables firms to reduce costs, gives them access to a greater knowledge pool and increases potential revenue from new markets.
But how does it work in practice? This is the key question that Connect’s portfolio of corporate open innovation projects has been set up to answer.
Our work aims to discover, and then address, the main barriers and accelerators to corporate open innovation, and explore whether these stem from systems of management or more universal human interactions.
Our other current projects include:
Corporate Connections
Corporate Connections is bringing together a diverse group of companies to encourage innovative thinking and develop shared opportunities, through a series of collaborative workshops. Learn more here…
Open Alchemy
Open Alchemy is encouraging firms to seek opportunities outside their traditional internal innovation streams. More here…
P&G Corporate Open Innovation Challenge
The Procter & Gamble Open Innovation Challenge seeks to harness the potential of design companies to develop the next generation of products and services for P&G.
To find out more about NESTA’s Corporate Open Innovation work get in touch.
David Simoes-Brown
