Inovação Aberta: conceito, aplicação e cases #1

Summary

Flávio Marques from AEVO explains the concept of Open Innovation, its origins, and practical implementation strategies for businesses. He highlights the importance of collaboration with external stakeholders like startups, employees, and suppliers to drive innovation. Using real-world cases such as Ambev's partnership with Parley The Oceans to tackle plastic waste, Flávio outlines various approaches, including Idea Programs, Corporate Ventures, and Accelerator Programs. He also discusses the challenges large companies face when interacting with startups and offers insights on overcoming them to foster successful innovation partnerships.

Takeaways

• 😀 Open Innovation, or Inovação Aberta, is a concept popularized by Professor Henry Chesbrough in 2003, focused on co-creating solutions with external entities for better results.
• 😀 Unlike traditional innovation, Open Innovation encourages companies to integrate ideas from external stakeholders, such as partners, clients, or even the market, to foster innovation.
• 😀 Open Innovation involves various models, such as incorporating technologies from external companies, sharing internal ideas for external development, and creating spin-offs for projects not tied to the core business.
• 😀 One of the key strategies in Open Innovation is the Ideas Program, where both internal employees and external stakeholders contribute to solving strategic business challenges.
• 😀 An example of Open Innovation in action is the partnership between Ambev and Parley The Oceans for the Plastic-Free Challenge, aiming to reduce plastic waste on beaches by 230,000 tons annually.
• 😀 Startups are a crucial part of Open Innovation, as they bring specialized expertise to solve specific problems. Companies can engage with startups through Corporate Venture, Corporate Acceleration Programs, or commercial partnerships.
• 😀 Corporate Venture refers to companies investing in startups, as seen with EDP Ventures and its investment in the Delfos startup from Ceará.
• 😀 Corporate Acceleration Programs, like CPFL Inova, are another way companies can accelerate the growth of startups to create innovative solutions.
• 😀 A study conducted by AEVO found that 59.3% of professionals in large companies find managing the relationship with startups the biggest challenge, due to the agility of startups compared to the bureaucracy of large corporations.
• 😀 Other challenges include finding the right startup to meet specific needs (50.8%) and staying updated with the ever-evolving startup ecosystem (40.3%).
• 😀 To improve relationships with startups, large companies need to be flexible in their processes and continuously engage with innovation ecosystems to discover new startups and stay informed about the latest innovations.

Q & A

What is Open Innovation (Inovação Aberta)?

Open Innovation is a model where companies co-create with other businesses to develop innovative solutions, either by incorporating external ideas and technologies or by collaborating with external stakeholders like startups.

Who popularized the term 'Open Innovation' and when?

The term 'Open Innovation' was popularized by Professor Henry Chesbrough in 2003. He is a professor at the Haas School of Business in California and the founder of the Center for Open Innovation.

What is the difference between Open Innovation and Closed Innovation?

In Closed Innovation, all ideas and developments come from within the company, with internal approval processes. In contrast, Open Innovation involves external collaborations, where companies work with external entities like startups or other businesses to innovate and share knowledge.

Can you explain the traditional innovation funnel?

In the traditional innovation funnel, ideas are developed internally, undergo approval processes within the company, and then generate value for the company and market. It’s a more insular approach to innovation.

What does the Open Innovation funnel look like?

In the Open Innovation model, companies still use a traditional innovation funnel, but they also engage in co-creation with external entities to innovate. This includes integrating ideas or technologies from external partners, sharing internal technologies for external development, or creating spin-offs from innovative projects.

How can companies implement Open Innovation in their businesses?

One way to implement Open Innovation is through Idea Programs, which involve both internal employees and external stakeholders such as customers or suppliers. Another method is by fostering relationships with startups through initiatives like corporate venture investments or acceleration programs.

Can you give an example of a company using an Idea Program in Open Innovation?

A great example is Ambev's collaboration with Parley The Oceans for the Plastic Free Challenge, aimed at reducing plastic waste. The ideas from this initiative have the potential to reduce 230,000 tons of plastic from beaches annually.

What are the benefits of collaborating with startups in Open Innovation?

Startups are often experts in solving specific problems and offer agility in developing new solutions. By partnering with startups, large companies can innovate faster, gain access to specialized knowledge, and reduce costs in the early stages of development.

What are the biggest challenges companies face when working with startups?

One of the main challenges is managing the relationship stages due to the agility of startups compared to the more bureaucratic processes of large companies. Additionally, finding the right startup for a specific problem and staying updated on the rapidly evolving startup ecosystem are common difficulties.

What did the study on 60 Brazilian companies reveal about their challenges with Open Innovation?

The study found that 59.3% of professionals identified managing the stages of startup relationships as their biggest challenge. 50.8% struggled to find the right startup for their needs, and 40.3% felt the need to stay informed about the startup ecosystem was an ongoing challenge.